TABLA BEAT SCIENCE – Live in San Francisco at Stern Grove
Axiom/Palm, 2002

USA / INDIA – Tabla Beat Science, combining master musicians like Zakir Hussain with live electronic mixing and turntablism, followed up the triumphant “Tala Matrix” album with a handful of live performances. This Stern Grove set was recorded on August 12, 2001. I haven’t listened to “Tala Matrix” lately, so I can’t compare the two. But this is very good stuff with plenty of fireworks. Everyone gets a chance to show off. The revised lineup includes 2 tablas, 2 vocalists (including Ejigayehu Shibabaw from Ethiopia), DJ, sarangi, electric bass, trap drum kit, some synths and a laptop. All tracks are radio-worthy.

DISC ONE

1. 16:07 – relaxed sarangi pattern + jaw-dropping tabla; several grand improv spaces
2. 07:29 – uptempo, funky and atmospheric, great breaks w/tabla + drum kit
3. 07:42 – alternating fem/male vocal (very cool); starts quiet, then uptempo & funky
4. 05:06 – dark trance synths swirling around solo tabla and drum kit; some live sampling?
5. 15:37 – relaxed folksy melody, dubby chill-out vibe, filtered vox, several fast breaks

DISC TWO

1. 08:48 – funky percussion groove, duet vox: much too long; gets really dull after a while
2. 09:20 – showcase for the DJ: extended scratching + great drums/tabla & live sampling
3. 06:51 – tweaky electronic atmosphere; fast tabla & sad sarangi sneak in eventually
4. 14:27 – the best ensemble work: everybody joins in a nice groove; trippy ending
5. 09:48 – very nice vocal duet with low-down groove, great breaks, exciting second half

[Fo] - 8/12/02