NGUYÊN LÊ — Tales from Viêt-nam (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Blending Western fusion jazz with Eastern structures and dissonance, Nguyen Le constructs a compelling pastiche. Perhaps most interesting is Huong Thanh's vocal in Vietnamese. Tim Sheridan

"A captivating symbiosis of ethno-sounds and refreshing jazz dynamics" - (MAX) ACT
Tracklist :
1    The Wind Blew It Away (Qua Câu Gio Bay) 7:30
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
2    The Black Horse (Ly Ngua O) 4:10
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
3    Don't You Go Away My Friend (Nguoi Oi Nguoi O Dung Vê) 7:26
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
4    Trông Com (The Rice Drum) 4:04
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
5    Hen Ho (Promise Of A Date) 5:24
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
6    The Banyan Tree Song (1. Ly Cai Da/2. The Pillow (Cai Gôi)/3. The Hill (Trèo Lên Quan Dôc) 8:19
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
7    Spring Of Life (Hoai Xuân) 3:21
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By – Tô Man Châu
8    Ting Ning 3:42
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
9    Mangustao Pt. 1 4:36
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
10    Mangustao Pt. 2 5:54
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Accoustic] – Michel Benita
Drums – Joël Allouche (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 9)
Drums, Percussion – Steve Argüelles (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 10), Trilok Gurtu (tracks: 5, 8)
Lute [Moon Lute] – Thai An (tracks: 3)
Percussion, Marimba, Piano, Keyboards – François Verly
Performer [Sapek Clappers, Dan Bau], Zither [Dan Tranh], Flute [Sao Flute] – Hao Nhien
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tracking By [Overdubs], Programmed By – Nguyên Lê
Saxophone, Flute [African], Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Concertina – Simon S. Hansen
Tracking By [Overdubs] – Pierre Bengon-Lours, Stéphane Luginbuhl, Valérie Abrial
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh

PHILIP CATHERINE — End of August (1982) Vinyl, LP | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Petit Nicolas    5:10
Philip Catherine
2    Grand Nicolas 5:08
Philip Catherine
Chorus – Nicolas Fiszman
3    Janet 9:28
Philip Catherine
Chorus – Nicolas Fiszman, Trilok Gurtu
4    September Start    6:17
Philip Catherine
5    Goodbye 5:07
Harmonica, Chorus – Toots Thielemans
Written-By – Gordon Jenkins
6    Birth Of August    2:54
Philip Catherine
7    End Of August 3:13
Philip Catherine
Chorus – Philip Catherine
8    Presque 0:49
Chorus – Philip Catherine
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans
Credits
Electric Bass, Guitar – Nicolas Fiszman
Flute [Soprano & Bamboo] – Charlie Mariano
Guitar, Chorus – Philip Catherine
Percussion, Cimbalom, Tabla – Trilok Gurtu

JOE ZAWINUL — The ESC Years (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

JOE ZAWINUL — My People (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

If one must indulge in categories, My People, featuring the Zawinul Syndicate and a United Nations coterie of guests, probably belongs on the vast world music shelf, the links to so-called jazz now so tenuous as to be nearly, but not quite, invisible. On the percolating "Slivovitz Trail," "Orient Express," "Many Churches," and the Caribbean-tinged cleverly titled "In an Island Way," the music does suggest earlier versions of the Syndicate, and Joe Zawinul's nostalgic evocations of Wayne Shorter on the Korg Pepe reach back even further. Otherwise, Zawinul is looking entirely toward ethnic cultures for musical sustenance. The musical structures are linear, the rhythms full of intricacies welded to Zawinul's love affair with the groove, the synthesizer textures usually sparer than ever. There are vocals in several languages by Zawinul's longtime colleague Salif Keita (for whom Zawinul produced a great album in 1991), Syndicate percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, a throat vocal specialist from South Siberia named Bolot, Thania Sanchez, Zawinul himself, and several others. When translated, the lyrics speak of joy and unity among the cultures, and there isn't any doubt that Zawinul's bubbling music feeds the message of uplift. Hear it; you purists may be jiggling along in spite of yourselves. Richard S. Ginell   Tracklist & Credits :

PHAROAH SANDERS - Save Our Children (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Back with Bill Laswell after their ecstatically successful pan-African collaboration Message From Home, Sanders tries to capture that lightning again but this time, the ambience is mellower, the spirituality less fierce. Though the African percussive element is still present, it now takes a back seat to subtle layered electronics and influences from India and the Middle East, and the huge, passionate Pharoah sound of old is mostly toned-down and recessed, sometimes squeezed into a double-reeded instrument. The 14-minute "My Jewels of Love" captures the ethereal Sanders particularly well, his cool soprano rising over tablas, harmonium and electric piano as Laswell's production imperceptibly changes the scenery over time. On "The Ancient Song," there are some ghostly fascimiles of the exciting Pharoah of not very long ago, and Sanders attains some gentle spiritual fervor over the subtly layered electronics of "Kazuko." Then there is the anomaly of "Midnight In Berkeley Square," which is "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" done pretty straight, with Pharoah playing sweet and almost sentimental tenor, until the dream world of pop standards slowly dissolves at the close. This record has a sleek, absorbing sound of its own, but that's mostly Laswell's triumph. Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1    Save Our Children 7:51
Voice – Abiodun Oyewole, Asante
Voice, Talking Drum – Abdou Mboup
2    Midnight In Berkeley Square    9:17
3    Jewels Of Love    14:00
4    Kazuko    10:15
5    The Ancient Sounds    10:51
6    Far-Off Sand    9:09
Credits :
Bass [Acoustic] – Alex Blake
Drums, Tabla, Percussion – Trilok Gurtu
Harmonium – Tony Cedras
Organ, Piano [Electric], Synthesizer – Bernie Worrell
Piano, Harmonium – William Henderson
Producer – Bill Laswell
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano], Reeds [Double], Percussion, Voice – Pharoah Sanders
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Jeff Bova
Tabla, Voice – Zakir Hussain

PHAROAH SANDERS | BILL LASWELL - With a Heartbeat (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

OK, this sounds like a pretty hokey concept: Pharoah Sanders and some of Bill Laswell's Material crew perform along with recordings of a heartbeat, supplied by Dr. Jean-Louis Zink. Fortunately, it comes off far better in execution than one might expect. First off, the heartbeat itself is sonically treated to be more of a bass pulse, which Laswell then elaborates on when his bass is in the picture. As might be expected with Laswell, there are strong elements of dub throughout, from the sound of the basslines to the way the instruments fade in and out. Besides the heartbeat, which is always present to varying degrees, the main sounds are the guitar and electric sitar of Nicky Skopelitis and keyboards either by Jeff Bova or Laswell. Pharoah Sanders' playing is excellent, and the album is enjoyable, but one gets the sense that this is Laswell's project, and Pharoah just plays on it. If you're looking to start a Pharoah Sanders collection, begin with something from the Impulse catalog, like Karma or Thembi. As a Pharoah Sanders record, With a Heartbeat makes a fine Bill Laswell album. Sean Westergaard
Tracklist :
1    Across Time    17:06
2    Morning Tala    7:45
3    Alankara (Beats Of The Heart)    8:58
4    Gamaka    15:52
Credits :
Bass, Flute, Keyboards – Bill Laswell
Cornet, Electronics – Graham Haynes
Guitar, Sitar [Electric] – Nicky Skopelitis
Keyboards – Jeff Bova
Producer, Arranged By – Bill Laswell
Tabla, Voice – Trilok Gurtu
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Pharoah Sanders

SHANKAR / JAN GARBAREK / ZAKIR HUSSAIN / TRILOK GURTU - Song For Everyone (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Song for Everyone heralds the return of the groove in Shankar's East-West-minded music, with former Shakti colleague Zakir Hussain on tabla, Trilok Gurtu on percussion, and Shankar's own manipulation of a drum machine tending to the rhythms. The result is a brighter, more outgoing record than its predecessor Vision, veering between Western acoustic and electric grooves and the complex beats churned out by the tabla. Jan Garbarek again shines beams of light on soprano and tenor, engaging Shankar's ten-string double-necked electric violin in some complex interplay on the title track. Some tracks are driven entirely or partially by the drum machine; "Paper Nut" has a particularly infectious revolving pattern. But sometimes Shankar overdoes it; the lengthy "Watching You" has an overly mechanized feeling that can be either mesmerizing or infuriating, depending upon your mood. On another track, "I Know," the Western percussion is gradually swallowed up by the Indian tabla. Fascinating, free-thinking music, beautifully recorded as usual by ECM. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. Paper Nut 6:02
Lakshminarayana Shankar
2. I Know 7:29
Lakshminarayana Shankar
3. Watching You 13:06
Lakshminarayana Shankar
4. Conversation 7:47
Lakshminarayana Shankar
5. Song For Everyone 6:18
Lakshminarayana Shankar
6. Let's Go Home 6:24
Lakshminarayana Shankar
7. Rest In Peace 3:24
Lakshminarayana Shankar
Credits :
Lakshminarayana Shankar - 10-string double violin, Drum Machine
Jan Garbarek - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
Zakir Hussain - Tabla, Congas
Trilok Gurtu - Percussion

TRILOK GURTU - Twenty Years of Talking Tabla (2007) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A musical journey celebrating the 20th Anniversary of this remarkable musician. As a world class virtuoso, Trilok has collaborated with some of the greatest jazz  and world music artists of today, many of whom feature on this brand new 2CD collection presenting 20 of his finest recordings, including two previously unissued tracks.

Twenty Years of Talking Tabla is a 20 year journey through Trilok Gurtu’s career. Rita Ray of BBC Radio described him as “a serial collaborator” – this carefully chosen compilation shows exactly that side of him. As a world class virtuoso, now in his mid fifties, Trilok has attracted a world class set of collaborators; these started with John McLaughlin in whose trio Trilok flourished as the featured soloist for 4 years, other jazz greats continued this path – Joe Zawinul, Jan Garbarek, Don Cherry, Pharoah Sanders were all attracted to Trilok’s burning sense of rhythm. Of course he is deeply rooted in the Indian tradition, so it is no surprise to see that collaborations also took place with the glitterati of Indian musical society – his mother, Shobha Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, Shankar Mahadevan and Sultan Khan. World music has become an established genre in which Trilok has further “ploughed his own furrow” to great effect, collaborating with Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo, Neneh Cherry, Tuvan throat singers Huun Huur Tu, the Malian musicians from the Frikywa family and the Italian, Arke String Quartet.

Trilok is obviously obsessed with colours, tones and rhythms while never neglecting melody, and as such, he is a musician who brings passion, vision and craft to his compositions and performances that make them immediately accessible. web
Tracklist 1 :
1     Shobharock 7'31
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Shobha Gurtu
2     African Fantasy 4'04
Trilok Gurtu / Angélique Kidjo / Lakshminarayana Shankar
Featuring – Angélique Kidjo
3     Have We Lost Our Dream? 4'37
Wally Badarou / Salif Keita
Featuring – Sabine Kabongo, Salif Keita
4     Dinki Puriya 3'01
Trilok Gurtu
5     Expression of Love 5'45
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Shankar Mahadevan, Shobha Gurtu, Sultan Khan
6     Water Solo 9'06
Trilok Gurtu
7     The Other Tune 7'41
Joe Zawinul
8     Balahto'4'02
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Arkè String Quartet
9     Seven Brings Return 8'28
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Steve Lukather
10     Mother Tongues 4'35
John McLaughlin
Tracklist 2 :     
1     Dance with My Lover 6'57
Trilok Gurtu
2     Save Our Children 7'55
Abdou M'Boup / Abiodun Oyewole / Pharoah Sanders / Sarah Sanders
3     Big Brother 4'31
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Oumou Sangare
4     Once I Wished a Tree Upside Down 8'03
Jan Garbarek
5     You, Remember This 5'43
Shobha Gurtu / Trilok Gurtu
6     Agne Yano 3'37
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – The Frikyiwa Family
7     Greetings 6'58
Trilok Gurtu / Zakir Hussain
8     Vignola 6'16
Trilok Gurtu
Featuring – Arkè String Quartet, Huun-Huur-Tu
9     Ganapati 3'49
Jaya Deva / Trilok Gurtu / Michael Quartermain
Featuring – Neneh Cherry
10     Planet Earth 6'21
Trilok Gurtu
Remix – Talvin Singh
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Ralph Towner
Backing Vocals – Alima Toure
Bass Guitar – Jonas Hellborg, Kai Eckhardt
Cello – Enrico Guerzoni
Congas, Drums, Effects, Percussion, Caxixi, Tabla – Trilok Gurtu
Electric Piano – Bernie Worrell
Guitar – Amit Heri, Jaya Deva, John McLaughlin, Nicolas Fiszman, Steve Lukather
Guitar Synthesizer – Nicolas Fiszman
Harmonium – Ravi Chary
Keyboards – Celia Reggiani, Daniel Goyone, Joe Zawinul
Organ, Synthesizer – Bernie Worrell
Piano – Daniel Goyone, William Henderson
Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders
Sitar – Ravi Chary
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Tabla – Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain
Talking Drum – Abdou M'Boup
Viola – Sandro Di Paolo
Violin – Carlo Cantini, Lakshminarayana Shankar
Vocals – Abiodun Oyewole, Angélique Kidjo, Hadja Kouyate, Jaya Deva, Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita, Sayan Bapa, Shankar Mahadevan, Shobha Gurtu, Trilok Gurtu
Vocoder – Joe Zawinul

TRILOK GURTU - Living Magic (1991) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With Jan Garbarek (saxes), Nana (per), Daniel Goyone (k). This is a septet doing Indian, Turkish, Scandinavian, and Brazilian world fusion, which is very well conceived. One of Garbarek's better efforts as collaborator or leader.  by Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist  
1    Baba 8:33
Written By – T.Gurtu
2    Living Magic 6:28
Written By – D. Goyone, T.Gurtu
3    Once I Wished A Tree Upside Down 8:02
Written By – J. Garbarek
4    Transition 7:33
Written By – D. Goyone, T. Gurtu
5    From Scratch 2:26
Written By – T. Gurtu
6    Tac, Et Demi 6:35
Written By – D. Goyone, T. Gurtu
7    TMNOK 2:54
Written By – D. Goyone
Credits
Bass, Guitar – Nicolas Fiszman
Congas, Repinique, Voice, Percussion – Naná Vasconcelos
Drums, Tabla, Voice, Congas, Percussion, Producer – Trilok Gurtu
Keyboards, Piano – Daniel Goyone
Kora, Cello – Tunde Jegede
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Veena – Shanthi Rao

TRILOK GURTU - Crazy Saints (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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)

TRILOK GURTU'S CRAZY SAINTS - Believe (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Believe    6:25
Trilok Gurtu
2    Vak    6:45
Daniel Goyone
3    Carlinhos    6:24
Trilok Gurtu
4    Offering    6:17
Trilok Gurtu
5    The Western Front    5:32
David Gilmore
6    Fourth Moon    6:09
Trilok Gurtu
7    Protector    7:08
Trilok Gurtu
8    Sidewalk    5:57
Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Guitar – David Gilmore
Piano, Electric Piano, Harmonium, Synthesizer – Daniel Goyone
Producer, Drums, Tabla, Voice, Percussion, Other [Dhol, Waterdrums] – Trilok Gurtu

TRILOK GURTU - Bad Habits Die Hard (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    21 Spices    9:33
Trilok Gurtu
2    Bad Boys    8:38
Andy Emler
3    Returning Home    12:50
Trilok Gurtu
4    Siddhi    11:15
Trilok Gurtu
5    Watapa    7:50
Trilok Gurtu
6    Bad Habits Die Hard    10:06
Trilok Gurtu
7    Carlinhos    13:33
Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Bass, Voice – Chris Minh Doky
Guitar, Voice – David Gilmore
Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Voice – Andy Emler
Producer, Drums, Tabla, Voice, Percussion, Other [Claydrum] – Trilok Gurtu
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano] – Bill Evans
Violin – Mark Feldman

TRILOK GURTU — The Glimpse (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Easily the best album to date by talented jazz/world music percussionist Trilok Gurtu, The Glimpse is a brilliant blend of musical styles paying tribute to the Indian drummer's dearly departed friend, jazz legend Don Cherry. Like Cherry, Gurtu's multicultural influences are often central to his compositions, and with guest musicians like Morocco's Jaya Deva (a member of Cherry's band), India's Geetha Ramanathan Bennett, and Bulgaria's Teodosii Spassov, this is his most ethnically diverse album to date. Nearly every track here is a standout, from the Moroccan groove of "Cherry Town" and the dazzling spoken percussion of "1-2 Beaucoup" to the melancholy balladry of Ornette Coleman's "Law Years." A must-have for fans of world-jazz fusion. Bret Love
Tracklist :
1. Cherry Town 5'16
Trilok Gurtu
2. 1-2 Beaucoup 5'45
Trilok Gurtu
3. Law Years 7'53
Ornette Coleman
4. A Ilha Do Caju 6'34
Nando Carneiro
5. Future Heat 10'52
Trilok Gurtu
6. Glimpse 6'49
Trilok Gurtu
7. Don 9'38
Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Trilok Gurtu - Vocals, Drums, Tabla, Percussion
Jaya Deva - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Gnaoua, Qaraqaba
Geetha Bennett - Vocals
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Lars Danielson - Cello, Bass
Andy Emler - Piano, Harmonium
Nando Carneiro - Guitar
Teodosii Spassov - Kaval

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

TRILOK GURTU - Kathak (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

As a producer and sideman, Bombay-born percussionist and singer Trilok Gurtu has become something of a godfather to London's emerging Asian Underground movement (his relationship with Asian Dub Foundation having earned him particularly strong street credibility in recent years), but he's also been quietly releasing solo albums for the last decade. The latest finds him teamed up with bassist Kai Eckhardt de Camargo (good luck sorting out the ethnicity of that name), guitarist Jaya Deva, sitar player Ravi Cherry, and several high-profile guests (including Neneh Cherry, who sings a touching tribute to Ravi's and her late stepfather) for a program of cross-cultural jamming. Worldbeat fusion is always a dicey prospect, and while this album has many attractive moments, it never really comes into focus. "Seven Brings Return" meanders, at first hypnotically, then stultifyingly, for over eight minutes, and the wanky Steve Lukather guitar solo in the middle doesn't help. However, there's an equally meandering, but much more melodically interesting, bass solo on "You, Remember This" that works very well. "Brasilian" is a mostly unsuccessful attempt at a fusion of Indian and Brazilian influences, and "Who Knows the Mind" is downright weird-a love songs that segues into a sort of progressive rock crossed with bhangra, again for over eight minutes. All of this stuff is pleasant enough, but little of it is very compelling. by Rick Anderson  
Tracklist :
1    Ganapati 3'51
Music By – Jaya Deva, Gurtu
Voice – Neneh Cherry
2    You, Remember This    5:45
Trilok Gurtu
3    Seven Brings Return 8'28
Trilok Gurtu
Guitar – Steve Lukather
4    Shunyai    8:30
Trilok Gurtu
5    Who Knows The Mind 8'47
Trilok Gurtu / Michael Quartermain
Arranged By – De Camargo
6    Kathak    6:40
Trilok Gurtu
7    Brazilian 4'38
Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Bass [Electric] – Kai Eckhardt De Camargo
Performer [Ganawa], Voice, Guitar – Jaya Deva
Producer, Drums, Tabla, Percussion, Voice – Trilok Gurtu
Sitar, Harmonium – Ravi Chary
Voice – Shobha Gurtu (pistas: 2, 7)

TRILOK GURTU - African Fantasy (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

There are theories about the way the continents were once joined together in prehistoric times, but Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu is attempting a new connection between land masses in a musical sense with his eighth album African Fantasy, which probably should have been called "Indo-A frican Fantasy" to make things clear to potential buyers. As an Indian musician, Gurtu is steeped in the music of his homeland, with its tablas and sitars, but as a percussionist he must be fascinated by the various rhythms coming out of Africa. Here, he has indulged that interest writing music that fuses both traditions, which he plays with his usual band, but he brings in several African vocalists: Sabine Kabongo (of the European-based group Zap Mama), Esmeralda Sciascia, Angelique Kidjo, and Oumou Sangare. The results are interesting, if tentative. Maybe if Gurtu had collaborated with African musicians, especially drummers, he might have gotten more of the continent into his music. As it is, there is a surface texture, especially in the vocals, of the continent's many musics, but the core of the sound remains Indian. That still makes for striking juxtapositions, and there is some wonderful playing. But the concept of an Indian/African fusion remains a fantasy, at least in this execution of it. by William Ruhlmann  
Tracklist :
1    Rajasthan 5'54
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Sarangi – Dhruba Ghosh
2    DJ Didgeridoo 4'54
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Didgeridoo – Richard Walley
3    African Fantasy 4'05
Composed By – Angélique Kidjo, Lakshmi Shankar, Trilok Gurtu
Vocals – Angélique Kidjo
4    You Remember This 3'39
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Vocals – Jaya Deva, Shobha Gurtu
5    Big Brother 4'33
Backing Vocals – Alima Toure, Nabintou Diabate
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Lute [Kamelen N'goni] – Kassim Sidibe
Vocals – Oumou Sangare
6    Folded Hands 7'43
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Sarangi – Dhruba Ghosh
7    Old African 6'10
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
8    Lisa 6'20
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
9    Dinki Puriya 3'02
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
10    Africa Con India 4'30
Composed By – Angélique Kidjo, Trilok Gurtu
Vocals – Angélique Kidjo
11    Big Brother Reprise 4'20
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Bass – Kai Eckhardt De Camargo
Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer – Nicolas Fiszman
Drums, Tabla, Timpani, Percussion [Clay Pot] – Trilok Gurtu
Percussion [Gimbri] – Jaya Deva
Sitar, Harmonium – Ravi Chary
Vocals – Esmeralda Sciascia, Sabine Kabongo

TRILOK GURTU - The Beat of Love (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trilok Gurtu has recorded his share of instrumental jazz and worked with jazz heavyweights like Joe Zawinul and Pat Metheny, but you won't find any jazz whatsoever on The Beat of Love. For myopic, narrow-minded jazz snobs who believe that jazz is the only form of music that has a right to exist, the CD's lack of jazz is a problem. But for broad-minded world music enthusiasts, The Beat of Love is a fine addition to Gurtu's catalog. Produced by West Africa native Wally Badarou, this album is meant to fuse modern Indian pop with the rhythms of black Africa (as opposed to Arabic North Africa). And the two prove to be quite compatible; on The Beat of Love, African elements sound perfectly logical alongside Indian rhythms and instruments. The voices of well-known African singers like Salif Keita and Angelique Kidjo sound right at home with Indian instruments such as the sitar and tabla drums. But The Beat of Love isn't just about Indian and African elements -- Gurtu combines those things with American funk and electronica. Of course, the modern pop sounds of India and black Africa are heavily influenced by Western pop and funk, and Gurtu is well aware of that. So if The Beat of Love is a musical tour of India and black Africa, there are also stops in the United States and Europe. And, in fact, the CD was produced in four different countries -- not only India and South Africa, but also the U.S. and England. With a lot of help from Badarou, Gurtu sees to it that The Beat of Love is an unpredictable but consistently appealing celebration of multiculturalism. by Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1    Maya 5'08
Written-By – T. Gurtu
2    A Friend 4'19
Written-By – A. Kidjo, W. Badarou
3    Have We Lost Our Dream? 4'43
Written-By – S. Kabongo, S. Keita, W. Badarou
4    The Beat Of Love 5'14
Written-By – T. Gurtu
5    Passing By 3'18
Written-By – W. Badarou, W. Diop
6    Jhulelal 4'54
Written-By – T. Gurtu
7    Ingoma 3'25
Written-By – J. Khanyile, W. Badarou
8    Tuhe 5'34
Written-By – T. Gurtu
9    Ola Bombay 3'50
Written-By – C. Difford, J. Hallawell, T. Gurtu
10    Dance With My Lover 4'49
Written-By – T. Gurtu
11    Peace Of The Five Elements 5'02
Written-By – T. Gurtu
Credits :
Bass – Hilaire Penda
Drums, Percussion, Tabla, Programmed By, Vocals, Shaker – Trilok Gurtu
Guitar – Amit Heri
Sitar – Ravi Chari
Vocals – Sabine Kabongo

TRILOK GURTU - Remembrance (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Brindavan Dance    3:10
Composed By – Ronu Majumdar / Shankar Mahadevan
2    Expression Of Love    4:45
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
3    Witness To Marriage     4:45
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
4    Our Heritage     3:17
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
5    Evening In India    3:14
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
6    Sounds Of India     6:12
Composed By – Ronu Majumdar
7    Greetings     3:28
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
8    Street Song     5:42
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
9    Eastern Journey     3:58
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
10    Worship     5:35
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
11    Remembrance     7:00
Composed By – Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Trilok Gurtu - Drums, Percussion, Tabla, Caxixi, Rattles, Vocals
Zakir Hussain - Tabla
Ravi Chary - Harmonium, Sitar
Ronu Majumdar - Flute
Sarosh Izedyar - Guitar
Indrajit Sharma - Synthesizer
Sultan Khan - Sarangi
Rajesh Bhatt - Pakhaway, Dholak
Shobha Gurtu - Vocals
Shankar Mahadevan - Vocals
Nandini Srikar - Vocals

TRILOK GURTU - Izzat : The Remix Album (2003) 2CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
The Trilok Gurtu Mixes    
1    Don (Remix By Black Star Liner/Choque Hosien) 4'21
Remix – Black Star Liner
2    Future Heat (First Contact Remix) 5'26
Remix – First Contact
3    Protector (Feelgood Productions Remix) 6'41
Remix – Feel Good Productions
4    Inner Voices (Remixed By D.J. Cavo - Dum Dum Project) 4'50
Remix – The Dum Dum Project
5    Shobharock (T.J. Rehmi Remix) 4'30
Remix – TJ Rehmi
6    Milo (Remixed ByPart 2 Of New Flesh) 3'38
Remix – New Flesh
7    Om (Phil Mison Cantoma Remix) 4'26
Remix – Cantoma
8    Om (Fun-Da-Mental Mix) 6'22
Remix – Fun-Da-Mental
9    Blessing In Disguise (Remix By Rob Swift) 5'58
Remix – Rob Swift
10    Carlinhos (Live Version) (Niraj Chag Mix) 4'37
Remix – Niraj Chag
11    Future Heat (Orchestral World Groove Remix) 6'01
Remix – Orchestral World Groove
Tracklist 2 :
The Trilok Gurtu Originals    
1    Don    9:34
2    Future Heat    10:49
3    Protector    7:07
4    Inner Voice    1:38
5    Shobharock    7:36
6    Milo    4:16
7    Om    7:08
8    Blessing In Disguise    9:16
9    Carlinhos (Live Version)    13:33

ROBERT MILES & TRILOK GURTU - Miles_Gurtu (2004) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This collaboration between electronic music whiz Robert Miles and percussionist Trilok Gurtu is its own curiosity piece. Full of lush, meandering soundscapes that employ everything from chilled-out jungle vistas to breakbeat and trip hop, from groove and creative jazz to the deep layering of traditional and popular Indian melodies from that country's classical, folk, and Bollywood traditions. Yet this set is hardly a mishmash: each of the record's 13 tracks are compositions as well as collaborations. Dynamics, textures, melodies, themes, and variations are all closely tailored for maximum effect. And while it feels much more like a Miles outing-- given the propensity of keyboards and samplers -- it is Gurtu's organic percussion that shoots through everything and provides a base form which all things grow into endless night stratosphere, and a territory of homecoming and eternal return. Musical changes reflect not so much frenetic mood swings as the undulating space where harmony, melody, nuance (as provided by everything from various keyboards and samplers and sounds, to strings to guitars to percussion instruments too numerous too mention) and rhythm compel each other toward interior spaces, where nothing is obvious, and more so than not where ideas are implied rather than stated blatantly, and where impression and expression entwine around one another in a loose, yet stunningly beautiful tension. This is a record of electronics and rhythm that can be listened to indefinitely: it offers startling moments and seductive paths through a garden of both unearthly sound and unwieldy sound. Moving, provocative, and strange.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1    Golden Rust 4'47
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Roberto Concina, Stephen Hussey
Bass – Paul Falloon
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Drums – Trilok Gurtu
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Mike Patto
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Strings – Urban Soul Orchestra
2    Soul Driven 5'01
Bass – Paul Falloon
Drums – Trilok Gurtu
Electric Guitar – Nitin Sawhney
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
3    Wearing Masks 2'02
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Guitar [Nylon Guitar] – Nitin Sawhney
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Percussion [Ambi Perc] – Trilok Gurtu
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
4    Tragedy: Comedy 1'18
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Guitar [Nylon Guitar] – Nitin Sawhney
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Percussion [Ambi Perc] – Trilok Gurtu
5    Omen 1'51
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Roberto Concina, Stephen Hussey
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Mike Patto
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Percussion [Ambi Perc] – Trilok Gurtu
Strings – Urban Soul Orchestra
6    Loom 5'21
Bass – Paul Falloon
Drums – Trilok Gurtu
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
7    Languages Of Conscious Thought 2'11
Bass – Jon Thorne
Goblet Drum – Trilok Gurtu
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Trumpet – Toshinori Kondo
8    Without A Doubt 2'17
Bass – Jon Thorne
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Trumpet – Toshinori Kondo
9    Small World 3'56
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Roberto Concina, Stephen Hussey
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Programmed By – Roberto Concina
Strings – Urban Soul Orchestra
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
Vocals – Trilok Gurtu
10    Small World (Reprise) 0'30
Cello – Adrian Bradbury
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Mike Patto
11    Inductive 5'07
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Drums – Trilok Gurtu
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
12    The Big Picture 5'18
Double Bass – Jon Thorne
Drums – Trilok Gurtu
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Mike Patto
Keyboards – Roberto Concina
Keyboards [Andromeda], Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto
13    Xenon 2'08
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Keyboards [Andromeda], Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Mike Patto