'Ha' by Talvin Singh
Audio CD Released 26 March 2001
ASIN: B00005AA36
Catalogue Number: CID8103
Redhotcurry Rating: (4 flames)
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Discovering Talvin Singh from this album is a refreshing experience. You inherit none of the "labels" he acquired with his huge, award-winning album 'OK' released in 1999.

'Ha', launched with a supporting concert on 9th April 2001 has a distinct Asian flavour and one which is imminently more palatable to a non club going audience. Collaborating with classicists like Ustad Sultan Khan, Ram Shankar and Bhairavi on vocals; modern keyboardists like Brad Somatik and friends like Cleveland Watkiss has helped Singh create a delicious dish of Asian Fusion music.

Track One, prosaically called 'One', is chill-out music featuring vocals from Ustad Sultan Khan, Liam O'Maonlai and Swati Natekar that can be consumed like a soothing starter dish on a warm Summer's day.

'Mustard Fields', is a tasty mix of tabla and sarangi. Devoted to the Bombay Boogie Girls this track is indeed "kinda anthemic" as it promises. He than speeds up the tempo in 'The Beat Goes On', a dance track that is just as likely to be played in Ibiza as in Bombay. Samar Estaphane & Watkiss' vocals with Roni Barrak providing Egyptian percussion reminds me of the Neneh Cherry track "7 seconds".

'Uphold', track four on this CD, brings to mind Zeenat Aman and a Bollywood oldie. 'Sway of the Verses' that follows is a beautiful blend of vocals by Ram Shankar with Talvin's delicate tabla touch. Surprisingly it is the mandolin that gives it the lingering after taste rather than the sarangi in this case.

'Dubla' is another dance track. Bhairavi's traditional vocal scales add the eastern garnish to what is largely a techno track. It does feature a good pinch of Talvin's quick-fingered tabla work though.

This is where the album falls down though; one minute you're chilling out and the next you are gyrating to a catchy tune. A more balanced menu delivering on starter, main course and dessert would perhaps have been more to my taste.

'It's not over' has been inspired by some bizarrely romantic lyrics which are reproduced in the CD sleeve. 'Abalonia' is a lullaby featuring a hilarious introduction read by Ajay Naidu. If you have ever been read to by a crazy uncle than this will make you laugh.

'Sea Breeze' is yet another dance track with excellent vocals by Bahiravi. In this track, I am not entirely convinced that the frenetic dance tune with the melodious vocals actually works, but Rakesh Chaurasia's flutes provide the necessary undulation needed in the tempo.

'Bobby Style' is dedicated to Singh's guru Ustad Lakshman Singhji. I must admit that it must be a private statement because the track just washed over me. 'Silver Flowers', the last track on this album features a thread from a well-known Bollywood movie and vocals by Mahalakshmi M Iyer. This last track is definitely music to help you sleep.

One can perceive shades of Nitin Sawhney in this album and given that Sawhney and Singh have collaborated in the past, this is hardly surprising. However reviewing the two albums back to back, one can immediately see that Talvin Singh is exploring deeper into Asian music and dragging it into present day, whereas Nitin Sawhney in his album, 'Prophesy', is creating a heady cocktail of world fusion music. The former is converging in his musical influences whereas the latter is diverging into uncharted territory.

Personal favourites on this CD have to be Mustard Fields for the beat and 'Sway for Verses' for the age-old rhythm. This CD may not demonstrate Talvin's brilliance on first play, but let it run a few more times and I guarantee it will soon become your "dish of the day". Buy it instantly.

Click here to buy this CD today!