Simon Thacker’s “Svara Kanti”: “Rakshasa” (Sing the Moon Records) Musical adventures in India, Spain and more! “Svara Kanti” is the creation of Simon Thacker, a classical guitarist based in Edinburgh. In this cross-cultural project , Simon and his fellow adventurers blend the musical flavours of the West and East in an exciting musical thali! South India blends with the flamenco guitar of Spain, western classical, jazz and influences from Jimi Hendrix to Indonesia. None of it feels forced, artist’s input weave the influences together whilst the whole the “work” if I may call it that, feels balanced. Classical, Indian, Flamenco and the other musical friends who meet in this musical feast , all get on to make this an exciting listen. I’d heard “Svara Kanti” at the Sage Gateshead, promoted by Gateshead based Gem Arts UK,(who also provided support for this disc). I was disappointed that I was not able to purchase the work on CD that night. I felt thoroughly uplifted by the verdant spirituality, pulsing energies and musical tensions that the evening generated. It had been an experience not just a concert! Sometimes the recorded version of a memorable evening can lack some of that atmosphere that makes live performances so electric. Not with this disc! Simon was joined for this project by violinist Jackie Shave , also a member of the Britten Sinfonia, vocalist Japjit Kaur, as well as internationally renowned tabla player Sarvar Sabri. Together they combined to perform the constituent parts of the project which included works by a number of living composers, as well as Simon Thacker’s own compositions and arrangements of existing pieces. This included Simon’s Edinburgh based colleague Nigel Osborne with his “Five Elements”. The album has numerous personal highlights. “Air-Vayu”, part of Nigel Osborne’s “ Five Elements” has scurrying tabla and singing sorrowful violin from Jackie Shave. “Svaranjali”, has an opening whose theme has become a favourite for me with its gentle guitar and Sabri’s tabla ushering the listener gently in, with a gradual increase in pace and intensity as the guitar and tabla seem to be skipping together through the piece. Later the piece concludes its playful romp by experiencing a calming hush descending on the piece , which left me at peace also. Simon’s title work “Rakshasa” has the other wordly, surreal and deeply engaging sound of backwards recording (all explained in the excellent accompanying booklet) , whom Jimi Hendrix is credited as the influence for. This produces the effect of the listener never being allowed to feel that comfortable as the guitar and tabla work their way through this ominous musical morass-well, the title does mean in Sanskrit “Infested by Demons” so be careful in there! Finally, there is the absolute delight of the sweet voice of Japjit Kaur, whose opening to “Ether-Akasha” is pure serenity and conveys an elegance and grace to the music that is utterly beguiling in the opinion of this listener. This album is a compelling and exhilarating meeting of musical styles, cultures, traditions, and moods. It is, as said earlier, lilke a delicious thali such that you’ll not need dessert afterwards. Listen and buy! More information at: simonthacker/svara-kanti.htm Information regarding Simon Thacker’s previous project:”Nava Rasa”: simonthacker/Nava-Rasa-CD.htm Video of Svara Kanti: youtube/watch?v=ZFu6QIIRMtY
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:58:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015