Music Review / Talvin Singh : Anokha - Soundz Of The Asian Underground

The soundtrack of Boom impressed me, and i was prompted to give a try for more of Talvin Singh's albums. "Anokha" was his album released way back in 1997. Talvin Singh is known to be a pioneer of the Asian Undergrounds in the UK, and his fusion music has always managed to create waves in yet unstable world of fusion music. Trilok Gurtu could be an equal to him.

A collection of 12 tracks, the album, as for me, opened up with the immortal "Theme from Bombay"; A.R Rahman's classic. It simply refuses to fade away. Truly, it assists you to visualise the shores of Mumbai. It can never fail. Its truly a benchmark. Orchestra and the flute...oohh la la!

The 2nd track features Amar, with "Heavy Intro". The 'sarangi' is used well and it has a classical midtone touch, with an aalaap encrusted. Though it fails you to proceed to the next track.

Having said that, i still did proceed...how could i abandon my review! TS would have something good up his sleeves! Tracks 3 and 4; "Equal I Equation" and "Shangh High" are just about the same. They're fast paced, racy, and more electro. There are traces of tabla. But that didnt impress me.

Track 5 from Kingsuk Biswas, "K-Ascendent" has mixed tabla. While 6th, Lelonek's "Kizmet" sounds like unreal tournament track. Next comes Osmani Soundz, with "Spiritual Master Key'; which doesn't sound like spiritual at all! It has ample of bass and is mixed like "Shang High".

Till now i am devasted. Its just not TS!

State of Bengal perform back to back with "Chittagong Chill" which pleasantly starts with flute notes and ends in a disaster. "Flight IC408" is another crap song. It starts with announcments and Captain Dasgupta welcomes you aboard further, it continues with Chittagong. I think that flight was meant to land Chittagong. God knows!! Its a rubber!

Now i have lost the count of tracks. Amar comes back (he didnt have enough) along with TS. The same female who crooned in the 2nd track comes back.singing only one line "o mere jaaneja, aankho se door na ho". Till now i am broke.

TS performs featuring Leone. It includes the classic matka, while Leone just doesnt manage an Enigma impersonation.

The final track was, i wont say a saving grace; leave that, it was a massive impressive track. "The Milky bar Kid" is one amazing jugalbandi between a DJ and a tabla player. The tabla is very well given an attention, which it deserves. 

In all, its a big disappointer. I would suggest you to go with the 1st and the last track. The rest of them, you can play in your car as you drive. They dont need much attention! Drive safely!