Thursday 19 September 2013
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Review of Agam by Stuart Masters & Rishi Ranjan in R2 Magazine Sept/Oct 2013
Here is the full text of Dave Haslam's review:
Agam is the result of a serendipitous encounter in a London record shop between English guitarist Stuart Masters and Indian sarode and rebab player Rishi Ranjan. Masters, who tours regularly with The Fingerstyle Collective, has his musical roots in folk and Celtic music as well as both Western and Eastern classical traditions, the latter working to his advantage when playing with Ranjan who is trained in the classical Indian Maihar school of sarode playing.
Although it only clocks in at a little over thirty minutes, Agam is a varied collection that, through one traditional Moroccan tune ('Reb-Oud-Akech'), three joint compositions and four arrangements of pieces by the respected sarod master Bade Baba Allauddin Khan, explores the common ground between their respective musical traditions.
It's arguably fair to say that not all the material here is equally successful and there's a sense that some pieces are still works in progress. That said, when the musicians do gel they do so with startling results, as can be heard on the lengthy title track where the two traditions, although still discernible, combine to create something special and unique. With nicely judged percussion from Dave Engel and table from Mani Singh, Agam is an album that, while it doesn't quite fulfil its potential, hints at greater things to come.
Agam is the result of a serendipitous encounter in a London record shop between English guitarist Stuart Masters and Indian sarode and rebab player Rishi Ranjan. Masters, who tours regularly with The Fingerstyle Collective, has his musical roots in folk and Celtic music as well as both Western and Eastern classical traditions, the latter working to his advantage when playing with Ranjan who is trained in the classical Indian Maihar school of sarode playing.
Although it only clocks in at a little over thirty minutes, Agam is a varied collection that, through one traditional Moroccan tune ('Reb-Oud-Akech'), three joint compositions and four arrangements of pieces by the respected sarod master Bade Baba Allauddin Khan, explores the common ground between their respective musical traditions.
It's arguably fair to say that not all the material here is equally successful and there's a sense that some pieces are still works in progress. That said, when the musicians do gel they do so with startling results, as can be heard on the lengthy title track where the two traditions, although still discernible, combine to create something special and unique. With nicely judged percussion from Dave Engel and table from Mani Singh, Agam is an album that, while it doesn't quite fulfil its potential, hints at greater things to come.
Saturday 14 September 2013
Hi4Head Records titles on iTunes
The following of our titles are now available on iTunes:
No Fear by John Stevens/Trevor Watts/Barry Guy
Live in Sao Paulo, Brasil by Trevor Watts & Jamie Harris
Drum Energy! by the Original Trevor Watts Drum Orchestra
Fracture by Scurvy
Navacross by Navacross
Agam by Stuart Masters & Rishi Ranjan
All The Way Home by Navacross
Please download and enjoy!
No Fear by John Stevens/Trevor Watts/Barry Guy
Live in Sao Paulo, Brasil by Trevor Watts & Jamie Harris
Drum Energy! by the Original Trevor Watts Drum Orchestra
Fracture by Scurvy
Navacross by Navacross
Agam by Stuart Masters & Rishi Ranjan
All The Way Home by Navacross
Please download and enjoy!
Monday 9 September 2013
Trevor Watts & Veryan Weston - Dialogues in Two Places - Dalston Sound review.
If you haven't previously seen it, it's here: http://dalstonsound.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/trevor-watts-and-veryan-weston-dialogues-in-two-places/
Navacross - All the Way Home (HFHCD012) - Maverick review, Alan Cackett
British roots band delivers a fine second album that criss-crosses musical styles, often in the same track. They are renowned for their incendiary live shows, but I found the most distinctive numbers here were the softer, more traditional sounding tracks. “Clowns” with its Dobro and banjo is a particular joy and the skiffle-flavoured “Get Me Outta Here” with Noel Gander’s harmonica to the fore brought back memories of ol’ Lonnie Donegan. There’s a lot of soul to be heard in “Open Your Eyes,” a dramatic song with an excellent musical backdrop.
Sunday 8 September 2013
Review of Agam by Stuart Masters & Rishi Ranjan in Taplas Magazine no. 176 (HFHCD011)
Here is the full text of Gabrielle Ashton's review:
These two highly skilled musicians join forces with this recording that is a synthesis of eastern melody and western harmony with their own unique slant. Rishi Ranjan fuses his virtuoso classical Indian sarode playing with with Stuart Masters' American and European influenced folk guitar, violin and middle eastern oud. The union of these artists is an exciting collaboration which yields some really exhilarating moments. Although one or two tracks meander a bit slowly, Agam really gathers pace with some vibrant musical experimentation and catchy rhythms. By the time you reach It's Rising the dynamic duo reach a frenzied crescendo that sends ecstatic tingles up and down your spine. This is an innovative meeting of musical genres that has many changes of style, tempo and mood. Some hit the spot more than others but overall an original and enticing album.
These two highly skilled musicians join forces with this recording that is a synthesis of eastern melody and western harmony with their own unique slant. Rishi Ranjan fuses his virtuoso classical Indian sarode playing with with Stuart Masters' American and European influenced folk guitar, violin and middle eastern oud. The union of these artists is an exciting collaboration which yields some really exhilarating moments. Although one or two tracks meander a bit slowly, Agam really gathers pace with some vibrant musical experimentation and catchy rhythms. By the time you reach It's Rising the dynamic duo reach a frenzied crescendo that sends ecstatic tingles up and down your spine. This is an innovative meeting of musical genres that has many changes of style, tempo and mood. Some hit the spot more than others but overall an original and enticing album.
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