One of the world’s best percussionists, Ranjit Barot has joined forces with bassist Etienne Mbappe and U. Shrinivas on mandolin, to create a fabulous new album, due to be released on September 10th. “The word chingari literally means ‘a spark’ in Hindi,” explains Barot. The internationally renowned, Mumbai-based composer and drummer has taken the word as the name for a new trio featuring himself, Southern Indian mandolin virtuoso Shrinivas, and Cameroonian bassist and vocalist Mbappe. “My thought behind the name was a spark, yes,” he adds, “but one which lights a big fire.”
“On their debut album Bombay Makossa – available September 16, 2014 on the Abstract Logix imprint – the three musicians mine their richly divergent experiences to create a dynamic, fluid hybrid sound that fuses the rhythmic intricacy and improvisational fervor of South Indian Carnatic music with the infectious buoyancy of Cameroonian sounds, bridged by a shared love of jazz, second-line funk, and the shimmering textures and grooves of modern pop.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the meeting points in our different cultures,” Barot explains. Chingari began as his vision, the lineup drawing upon connections he had made within both western jazz- and rock-influenced settings and Indian classical music. “I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Mandolin U.Shrinivas, and Etienne and I have toured extensively with John McLaughlin’s 4th Dimension,” he continues. “So I understood and was familiar with how the rhythm section would sound and feel like. It was only when I heard Etienne sing with his band Su La Také that I felt that the worlds of India and Africa could collide in the most beautiful if ways. And who better to compliment this idea but one of India’s most cherished sons, Mandolin U. Shrinivas.”
“After few months of playing together with 4th Dimension,” Mbappe recalls, “Ranjit told me about this project. I was really excited by the idea and to play with U. Shrinivas, whose playing I knew from his work with John’s Remember Shakti band. And, from hearing Ranjit’s first album Bada Boom, I knew he was a great writer.”
“Despite our different styles of playing,” Shrinivas says, “I feel we share the enthusiasm to bring about some great music. Ranjit is a great musician whom I adore. We’ve known each other for many years, and when he asked me if I could play in this album I immediately said yes. As for Etienne, I first heard him play with John McLaughlin, and could tell he was also an incredible musician.”
Indeed, Mbappe’s nimble, flexible baselines and hauntingly soulful vocals form the focal point of Bombay Makossa. Barot, the album’s primary composer, explains, “All the melodies I wrote were keeping Etienne in mind as the medium through which they would be expressed. His voice, his timbre, these were things I was familiar with by now and the songs were specifically written to address those aspects of his personality.”
“I just embraced Ranjit’s compositions naturally,” Mbappe explains. “He gave me the liberty to develop and sometimes suggest alternate basslines and grooves. Same for the vocal melodies. Some were already written and I just wrote lyrics in Douala, my mother tongue. I also created some new melodies and lyrics where needed. Sometimes, for the lyrics, Ranjit gave me a title of a song or told me a story, and I let my mind go. The music talked to me, and the inspiration was there.”
“I heard Shrinivas,” Barot continues, “as narrative vessel from India who would ‘answer’ Etienne, so to speak, through his own unique mode of expression.” Before his tenth birthday, U. Shrinivas was already impressing audiences with his uncanny ability to adapt the mandolin to the demanding rigors of traditional South Indian music. While keeping his roots in the Carnatic tradition, Shrinivas has sought a wide range of outlets for the ecstatic, almost vocal quality of his playing. George Harrison numbered among his fans, and he has been featured as a member of Remember Shakti, alongside guitarist John McLaughlin and Zakkir Hussain. Wielding a six-string electric instrument, his performances on Bombay Makossa make full use of his formidable technique, resourcefulness, and willingness to probe boundaries and explore new territory.
“Most of the pieces were tricky to perform,” Shrinivas says of Barot’s intricate, multi-part compositions, “and yet, Ranjit gave me a lot of freedom to play in my own style without disturbing the structure of the tracks. Each one was different, and I felt that I had to do justice to every one of them.”
Bassist Mbappe is no stranger to complexity, having played a pivotal role in legendary fusion guitarist John McLaughin’s kaleidoscopic 4th Dimension quartet since 2009. Mbappe’s gift for tackling the most challenging rhythmic structures with ease and fluency first won the Cameroon-born and Paris-based musician membership in the bands of Salif Keita and Manu Dibango. Now, in addition to performing with the 4th Dimension, he can be heard in the all-star fusion group the Ringers with Jimmy Herring and Wayne Krantz, as a solo artist, and with the multi-faceted Su La Také.
As producer and composer, Barot faced the daunting task of reconciling each member’s respective musical style and forging a coherent, compelling new sonic identity. Such eclectic undertakings are not unfamiliar to Barot however, as his distinguished career has found him excelling in as a composer Bollywood’s competitive film scene and as a distinctive drummer more western-influenced contexts. The son of Sitara Devi, India’s famous traditional Indian dancer, Barot is also steeped in Indian traditions, as demonstrated by his mastery of konnakol– the Carnatic tradition of spoken percussion syllables, which he demonstrates on Bombay Makossa.
“My time spent working in films has given me a cinematic approach to viewing certain aspects of my music,” Barot explains, lending insight into his writing process. “Not in a grandiose way, but more in the storytelling aspects of composition that I learned while scoring films. Then there’s the rock angle which is a large part of my vocabulary. I grew up playing in local rock bands in Bombay, both progressive and completely visceral. And of course, jazz and the blues.”
And the result is Bombay Makossa: an unprecedented synthesis of international traditions that reflects the vast legacies involved while still emerging as wholly organic, uniquely personal, and even conversational its musical exchanges. “This music brings Africa really close to India,” Mbappe concludes. “Even though these are two major places with their own huge musical culture and so many different rhythms and dances, a project like this doesn’t exist as far as I know. U. Shrinivas, Ranjit, and myself grew up in very musical neighborhoods, surrounded by a lot of different rhythms. We share the same love of celebrating life, and music is a huge part of our lives. It is all soul food and love, and with this album, we’re just warming up.”
Friday, August 22, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Wil Blades, Skerik, Mike Clark and Jeff Parker Come to the Boom Boom Room
Organist Wil Blades returns to the Boom Boom Room at Fillmore & Geary this Friday and Saturday night, with a stellar band in tow. On the heels of his wonderful album “Shimmy” with Medeski, Martin and Wood drummer Billy Martin, and his newest release “Field Notes”, Blades rolls in with the amazing saxophonist Skerik, (fresh from a reunion in Austin with Seattle’s Critters Buggin’); Mike Clark, (Herbie Hancock’s drummer from his original Headhunters band), and guitarist Jeff Parker. Parker joined Blades and drummer Simon Lott on the aforementioned Field Notes. If you saw and enjoyed the Shimmy show last year with Martin, (and with a horn section to boot), you will love this line-up.
Blades’ Field Notes
Released on the Royal Potato Family label, his latest effort as described on the their website, states, “When Wil Blades sits down at the Hammond B3, count on inspired music to follow. The 34-year old, Chicago-native, Berkeley-based artist is a cornerstone organist of his generation—a modern voice in a lineage that includes giants like Richard “Groove” Holmes, Charles Earland and Brother Jack McDuff.
Having studied at the feet of the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith and played alongside the likes of John Lee Hooker, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammad, Blades has absorbed the spirit of the masters. His extensive collaborations also reflect the high regard in which he’s held by contemporaries, including Stanton Moore, Anders Osborne and Nicholas Payton.
Having released a critically acclaimed co-led duo album Shimmy with Medeski Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin in 2012, Blades returns with a deeply soulful and sinuous nine-track effort,Field Notes, on which he’s found fronting his own trio featuring Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and New Orleans’ drummer Simon Lott.
From the recording’s outset, it’s easy to picture Blades fingers free-flowing across the keys, feet gliding along the bass pedals in a continuous dance. Syncopation drives songs like “Miller’s Time” and “Addis” as the trio locks in tight to a relentless groove. But there’s also a refined harmonic vision and deep affection for melody on tracks like “(I Can’t Stand) The Whole Lott of You” and “Dewey” where Blades’ Clavinet adds a fresh sonic dimension to the proceedings. Shades of psychedelia are weaved within “Parks ‘N’ Wreck,” while a tip of the hat to vintage soul jazz balladry informs “Forgetful” and classic pop swing is at the heart of “I Get The Blues When It Rains.”
In its sum, Field Notes is a masterful statement from an artist who’s poised to keep the timeless sound of the Hammond B3 organ as vital and compelling today as it’s ever been in the history of modern jazz and rock…”
Being a huge fan of great organ trios and duos like those of the late Larry Young, Brian Auger, Joey DeFrancesco and more recently Jared Gold, I loved Blades’ Shimmy album and from what I’ve heard of Field Notes, you won’t be disappointed with this latest effort either. As for the rest of the group; Skerik was one of the driving forces behind Critters Buggin’, a group I saw many times in Seattle, with bassist Brad Hauser and drummer Matt Chamberlain, (known also as the rhythm section of the New Bohemians); Having seen the Headhunters back in ’74, Mike Clark is one of the funkiest drummers to ever grace the kit, and his grooves on Herbie Hancock’s “Palm Grease” and “Actual Proof” are still the stuff of legend; Parker’s guitar work with Tortoise was always tasty and it’s a treat to hear him alongside Blades. This is going to be a good one folks.
Boom Boom Room Presents presents
Mike Clark (Headhunters),Skerik (Les Claypool),
Wil Blades (Stanton Moore), Jeff Parker (Tortoise)
Friday, August 15th and Saturday August 16th @ 9:00
Tickets $18
Blades’ Field Notes
Released on the Royal Potato Family label, his latest effort as described on the their website, states, “When Wil Blades sits down at the Hammond B3, count on inspired music to follow. The 34-year old, Chicago-native, Berkeley-based artist is a cornerstone organist of his generation—a modern voice in a lineage that includes giants like Richard “Groove” Holmes, Charles Earland and Brother Jack McDuff.
Having studied at the feet of the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith and played alongside the likes of John Lee Hooker, Melvin Sparks and Idris Muhammad, Blades has absorbed the spirit of the masters. His extensive collaborations also reflect the high regard in which he’s held by contemporaries, including Stanton Moore, Anders Osborne and Nicholas Payton.
Having released a critically acclaimed co-led duo album Shimmy with Medeski Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin in 2012, Blades returns with a deeply soulful and sinuous nine-track effort,Field Notes, on which he’s found fronting his own trio featuring Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and New Orleans’ drummer Simon Lott.
From the recording’s outset, it’s easy to picture Blades fingers free-flowing across the keys, feet gliding along the bass pedals in a continuous dance. Syncopation drives songs like “Miller’s Time” and “Addis” as the trio locks in tight to a relentless groove. But there’s also a refined harmonic vision and deep affection for melody on tracks like “(I Can’t Stand) The Whole Lott of You” and “Dewey” where Blades’ Clavinet adds a fresh sonic dimension to the proceedings. Shades of psychedelia are weaved within “Parks ‘N’ Wreck,” while a tip of the hat to vintage soul jazz balladry informs “Forgetful” and classic pop swing is at the heart of “I Get The Blues When It Rains.”
In its sum, Field Notes is a masterful statement from an artist who’s poised to keep the timeless sound of the Hammond B3 organ as vital and compelling today as it’s ever been in the history of modern jazz and rock…”
Being a huge fan of great organ trios and duos like those of the late Larry Young, Brian Auger, Joey DeFrancesco and more recently Jared Gold, I loved Blades’ Shimmy album and from what I’ve heard of Field Notes, you won’t be disappointed with this latest effort either. As for the rest of the group; Skerik was one of the driving forces behind Critters Buggin’, a group I saw many times in Seattle, with bassist Brad Hauser and drummer Matt Chamberlain, (known also as the rhythm section of the New Bohemians); Having seen the Headhunters back in ’74, Mike Clark is one of the funkiest drummers to ever grace the kit, and his grooves on Herbie Hancock’s “Palm Grease” and “Actual Proof” are still the stuff of legend; Parker’s guitar work with Tortoise was always tasty and it’s a treat to hear him alongside Blades. This is going to be a good one folks.
Boom Boom Room Presents presents
Mike Clark (Headhunters),Skerik (Les Claypool),
Wil Blades (Stanton Moore), Jeff Parker (Tortoise)
Friday, August 15th and Saturday August 16th @ 9:00
Tickets $18
Friday, August 8, 2014
Dave Weckl’s Acoustic Band Comes to Yoshi’s
One of the most prolific drummers to ever grace the skins, Dave Weckl has played with a veritable who’s who of musical greats; alongside bassist Victor Wooten in Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, the late, great saxophonist, Michael Brecker, or Contra-bass master Anthony Jackson, guitarists George Benson and Mike Stern to name but a few. Weckl returns to Yoshi’s in Oakland, this time leading his own, all-acoustic quartet in support of his newest album.
Dave Weckl, Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame-er and among the top 25 drummers of all time, launches his first band, tour and recording in over a decade. With Makoto Ozone on piano and keys, Tom Kennedy/bass and Gary Meek/saxes the Dave Weckl Acoustic Band is charged with riveting chemistry, ebullient communication and rare telepathy that engages audiences to their rapt delight.
Early on, it was Peter Erskine who recommended Dave for French Toast, a Michel Camilo band. Next legendary bassist Anthony Jackson suggested Dave for the Simon and Garfunkel Reunion Tour in 1983. Following this, Dave was regularly being called for recording dates with among others George Benson, Diana Ross and Robert Plant.
In 1985, Michael Brecker suggested Dave to Chick Corea for Chick’s Elektric Band. That began a seven year relationship with Chick Corea touring internationally and famously with both the Elektric and Akoustic Bands.
As a solo artist, Dave recorded and produced nine recordings including GRP/MCA solo releases Masterplan, Heads Up, and Hardwired. In 1998, Dave realized his long-time goal of forming a world-touring band. The Dave Weckl Band who released five studio records, including Rhythm Of The Soul, Synergy, Transition, Perpetual Motion, and Multiplicity as well as a live album, LIVE (And Very Plugged In) and a compilation of DWB and instructional videos entitled The Zone.
Along with his own projects Dave continues sideman work with Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Oz Noy, and Chris Minh Doky and the Nomads among others. When off the road, Dave does session and production work, teaches annually at Drum Fantasy Camp and continues to produce many popular instructional video/DVDs and play-along packages.
–
MAKOTO OZONE/piano & keys
Makoto Ozoneigned with CBS Columbia right after the graduation from Berklee College of Music and released the first self-titled album “Makoto Ozone” in 1983 along with his debut Solo Recital at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Makoto has recorded over 20 albums for Verve/Universal since 1994. A duet album with Gary Burton “Virtuosi” was nominated for a the 45th Grammy in 2003 for “The Best Classical Crossover” category. Makoto also has been performing classical repertoire including Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bernstein, Gershwin, Rachmaninov since 2003′ with world’s major orchestra such as New York Philharmonic, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, NDR symphony orchestra, NHK symphony orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and more.
GARY MEEK/sax
As a sideman Gary has a longstanding relationship with keyboardist Jeff Lorber and is featured prominently on his last several recordings. Gary has also toured with many others including Herb Alpert and Al Jarreau and frequently teams up with long standing friends Flora Purim & Airto. Since 2011 Gary Has been working for the Monterey Jazz Festival as a “Traveling Clinician.”
TOM KENNEDY/bass
These reviews say it all! Bass Musician Magazine “It would be hard to overstate Tom Kennedy’s mastery of jazz bass, with a resume that runs as deep as his groove and feel.” LA Weekly “Tom Kennedy’s playing is nothing short of inspiring.”
Dave Weckl, Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame-er and among the top 25 drummers of all time, launches his first band, tour and recording in over a decade. With Makoto Ozone on piano and keys, Tom Kennedy/bass and Gary Meek/saxes the Dave Weckl Acoustic Band is charged with riveting chemistry, ebullient communication and rare telepathy that engages audiences to their rapt delight.
Early on, it was Peter Erskine who recommended Dave for French Toast, a Michel Camilo band. Next legendary bassist Anthony Jackson suggested Dave for the Simon and Garfunkel Reunion Tour in 1983. Following this, Dave was regularly being called for recording dates with among others George Benson, Diana Ross and Robert Plant.
In 1985, Michael Brecker suggested Dave to Chick Corea for Chick’s Elektric Band. That began a seven year relationship with Chick Corea touring internationally and famously with both the Elektric and Akoustic Bands.
As a solo artist, Dave recorded and produced nine recordings including GRP/MCA solo releases Masterplan, Heads Up, and Hardwired. In 1998, Dave realized his long-time goal of forming a world-touring band. The Dave Weckl Band who released five studio records, including Rhythm Of The Soul, Synergy, Transition, Perpetual Motion, and Multiplicity as well as a live album, LIVE (And Very Plugged In) and a compilation of DWB and instructional videos entitled The Zone.
Along with his own projects Dave continues sideman work with Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Oz Noy, and Chris Minh Doky and the Nomads among others. When off the road, Dave does session and production work, teaches annually at Drum Fantasy Camp and continues to produce many popular instructional video/DVDs and play-along packages.
–
MAKOTO OZONE/piano & keys
Makoto Ozoneigned with CBS Columbia right after the graduation from Berklee College of Music and released the first self-titled album “Makoto Ozone” in 1983 along with his debut Solo Recital at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Makoto has recorded over 20 albums for Verve/Universal since 1994. A duet album with Gary Burton “Virtuosi” was nominated for a the 45th Grammy in 2003 for “The Best Classical Crossover” category. Makoto also has been performing classical repertoire including Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bernstein, Gershwin, Rachmaninov since 2003′ with world’s major orchestra such as New York Philharmonic, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, NDR symphony orchestra, NHK symphony orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and more.
GARY MEEK/sax
As a sideman Gary has a longstanding relationship with keyboardist Jeff Lorber and is featured prominently on his last several recordings. Gary has also toured with many others including Herb Alpert and Al Jarreau and frequently teams up with long standing friends Flora Purim & Airto. Since 2011 Gary Has been working for the Monterey Jazz Festival as a “Traveling Clinician.”
TOM KENNEDY/bass
These reviews say it all! Bass Musician Magazine “It would be hard to overstate Tom Kennedy’s mastery of jazz bass, with a resume that runs as deep as his groove and feel.” LA Weekly “Tom Kennedy’s playing is nothing short of inspiring.”
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