World Without Walls

World | Nov 2011

Reviews

Ramzi Salti
Reviewed 2011-11-20
--All Tracks are FCC CLEAN--

Ancient Future is a world music ensemble founded in 1978 by Matthew Montfort and known for starting world fusion music. They blend centuries-old music traditions using Indian, African, Balinese, Middle Eastern, and South American rhythm, the rich harmonies of Europe, the peaceful melodies of Asia, amongst others within a contemporary framework. Ancient Future has grown to become a large chamber ensemble of 28 performers from around the world with over a dozen similar ensembles within it, enabling Ancient Future to realize its core mission of creating world fusion music. “World Without Walls” features performances by such world music stars as Zakir Hussain, the master of the North Indian tabla. It is an accessible and broadly appealing release with an artistic blend of old world instruments and modern technology.
1. “Lakshmi Rocks Me” is an energetic tribute to Indian violinist L. Shankar featuring Zakir Hussain on tabla with distinctively Eastern sounds.
2. “Dance of the Rain Forest” has fluid electric violin and lots of bass and mixes African and Balinese dance rhythms with jazz.
**3. “April Air” sounds like a contemporary jazz radio hit with steel drums and lyrical piano.
4. “14 Steps” Fourteen beat rhythmic cycle creates a funky Indian groove featuring Zakir Hussain on tabla.
5. “End of the Beginning” is a song where Celtic and Indian music fuse together nicely.
**6. “Turkish Taffy” has a combination of jazz and Middle Eastern influences with a swinging belly dancing type groove.
7. “Alap” has an Indian style intro with beautiful scalloped fretboard guitar work.
8. “Indra’s Net”, which was inspired by Hindu mythology, has gentle synthesizer and piano with acoustic bass and a standout violin.
9. “Nyo Nyo Gde” is an exotic ode to the attributes of a goddess with guitar synthesizer and the Chinese flute.
**10. “Gopi Song” Is is a lush and beautifully tender ballad inspired by North Indian sarangi master Pandit Ram Narayan and once again features Zakir Hussain on tabla.
My picks: 3, 6 & 10 Ramzi Salti

Recent airplay

Alap
ArabologyJun 13, 2013
Turkish Taffy
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Gopi Song
Pumping IronJan 13, 2012
14 Steps (Zakir Hussain)
Turkish Taffy
Hi, Keefak, Ça Va?Nov 17, 2011

Charting

2011-11-27 — 2012-01-29
Week EndingAirplays
Jan 29 1
Jan 15 1
Jan 1 1

Track listing

1. Lakshmi Rocks Me
2. Dance Of The Rain Forest
3. April Air
4. 14 Steps
5. End Of The Beginning
6. Turkish Taffy
7. Alap
8. Indra's Net
9. Nyo Nyo Gde
10. Gopi Song