Percussionist Trilok Gurtu comes from a long line of respected Indian classical musicians, but he's best known for his genre-blending fusions of world music and jazz. Crazy Saints is one of his most complex and challenging releases to date, enlisting the aid of jazz legends like guitarist Pat Metheny and Joe Zawinul to create a thoroughly modern sound that moves from razor sharp ensemble work to dizzying solos. The most effective songs are those that mine Gurtu's myriad world music influences, including "Manini" and "Blessing in Disguise," both of which are blessed with the haunting vocal ululations of Indian music legend Shobha Gurtu, the drummer's mother. The genteel balladry of "Ballad for 2 Musicians" and the excessive ambient noodling of "The Other Tune" may tax the patience of those with a lower tolerance for modern jazz wankery. But ultimately songs like the title track, which marries blistering beats in quirky time signatures with heavenly vocals and dazzling instrumental interplay, make the album a fine foray into jazz/world fusion. by Bret Love
Tracklist
1 Manini 7:06
Written-By – Goyone, Gurtu
2 Tillana 4:12
Arranged By – Goyone, Gurtu
Written-By – Traditional
3 Ballad For 2 Musicians 6:08
Written-By – Zawinul
4 The Other Tune 7:39
Written-By – Zawinul
5 Blessing In Disguise 9:26
Written-By – Gurtu
6 Crazy Saints 8:19
Written-By – Goyone, Gurtu
7 No Discrimination 3:38
Written-By – Gurtu
Credits
Bass – Marc Bertaux (tracks: 1, 6)
Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Louis Sclavis (tracks: 2, 5, 7)
Cello – Ernst Reijseger (tracks: 2, 5)
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer – Pat Metheny (tracks: 1, 6)
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Joe Zawinul (tracks: 3, 4)
Piano, Keyboards – Daniel Goyone (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7)
Producer, Drums, Tabla, Voice, Dhol [Dol], Kanjira, Percussion – Trilok Gurtu
Voice – Shobha Gurtu (tracks: 1, 5, 6)
30.4.22
TRILOK GURTU - Crazy Saints (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
TRILOK GURTU - The Trilok Gurtu Collection (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Trilok Gurtu's percussion work has powered a number of great albums that effectively fuse world music with jazz, allowing for both tight performance and free improvisation. This collection is therefore a gem, selecting ten cuts from six albums. Both an excellent overview and a wonderful place to begin acquainting yourself with Gurtu's music, and thus an essential addition to any jazz or world music collection. by Steven McDonald
Tracklist :
1 Once I Wished a Tree Upside Down 8'03
Jan Garbarek
2 Cherry Town 5'14
Trilok Gurtu
3 Watapa 7'49
Trilok Gurtu
4 Bad Boys 8'39
Andy Emler
5 Believe 6'25
Trilok Gurtu
6 Ballad for 2 Musicians 6'08
Joe Zawinul
7 Manini 7'06
Daniel Goyone / Trilok Gurtu
8 Baba 8'31
Trilok Gurtu
9 Shobharock 7'37
Trilok Gurtu
10 Om 7'13
Traditional
Credits :
Drums, Tabla, Percussion, Voice – Trilok Gurtu
Guitar – Pat Metheny, Ralph Towner
Keyboards, Piano – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trumpet – Don Cherry
Violin – Mark Feldman, L. Shankar
Voice – Shobha Gurtu
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