Bop (and fuse Indian, jazz, funk, and rock) 'til You drop.
Raga Bop Trio
Drummer Steve Smith is primarily known for three things – being one of the best jazz & fusion drummers on the planet (and one of the best sticksmen, period), his time behind the kit with the rock band Journey (and part of what is usually taken to be the 'classic' line-up of that group), and his own band project Vital Information, who have recorded and performed since 1983.
But that’s only the half-beat of it…
Smith also guests, works and tours with many other musicians, presents drum clinics around the world, and has been part of more collaborative band projects than should be legal.
He also tours with his Jazz Legacy band, who primarily perform songs inspired by, or originally performed by, jazz drumming greats from previous decades.
That seemingly boundless creative energy and continual musical exploration is typified by the Raga Bop Trio.
The Raga Bop boys feature Smith, saxophonist George Brooks and guitarist Prasanna, with the music primarily inspired by and based on Indian classical music. That shouldn't be too much of a surprise, however...
Steve Smith has explored Indian rhythms in his playing for many years, including some of the compositional stylings featured on more recent Vital Information releases, and also incorporates konnakol in his repertoire, a south Indian form of rhythmic expression through a syllabic vocal delivery.
And George Brooks and Prasanna are hardly lacking in their knowledge of Indian musical forms – north Indian Hindustani in the case of Brooks, while Prasanna (from Chennai in India) is well versed in south Indian Carnatic music.
Some of Smith’s previous projects have been driven by his percussive skills, but here we have a truly collaborative effort in creative terms and end result.
Raga Bop Trio
Drummer Steve Smith is primarily known for three things – being one of the best jazz & fusion drummers on the planet (and one of the best sticksmen, period), his time behind the kit with the rock band Journey (and part of what is usually taken to be the 'classic' line-up of that group), and his own band project Vital Information, who have recorded and performed since 1983.
But that’s only the half-beat of it…
Smith also guests, works and tours with many other musicians, presents drum clinics around the world, and has been part of more collaborative band projects than should be legal.
He also tours with his Jazz Legacy band, who primarily perform songs inspired by, or originally performed by, jazz drumming greats from previous decades.
That seemingly boundless creative energy and continual musical exploration is typified by the Raga Bop Trio.
The Raga Bop boys feature Smith, saxophonist George Brooks and guitarist Prasanna, with the music primarily inspired by and based on Indian classical music. That shouldn't be too much of a surprise, however...
Steve Smith has explored Indian rhythms in his playing for many years, including some of the compositional stylings featured on more recent Vital Information releases, and also incorporates konnakol in his repertoire, a south Indian form of rhythmic expression through a syllabic vocal delivery.
And George Brooks and Prasanna are hardly lacking in their knowledge of Indian musical forms – north Indian Hindustani in the case of Brooks, while Prasanna (from Chennai in India) is well versed in south Indian Carnatic music.
Some of Smith’s previous projects have been driven by his percussive skills, but here we have a truly collaborative effort in creative terms and end result.
George Brooks, Steve Smith, Prasanna - collectively, the Raga Bop Trio
As much as any jazz fusion project can be challenging for the listener, especially one such as this where other musical styles are fused into the Indian melodies and rhythms (including U.S. and European jazz grooves, some rock and a little funk) I happen to find Indian music very accessible and listenable.
There is a natural attraction within its form, but the challenge here is to make it work within a jazz based format, and a trio at that, featuring drums, saxophones and electric guitar. No easy feat.
A distinct advantage though is that Smith and Brooks have previously performed together (with the saxophone player's Indian fusion group Summit), and Smith and Prasanna have played together in a duo format.
Combined, as a trio, there does seem to be a natural chemistry, certainly in musical composition.
The opening number 'Tug of War' has a very Indian melody and feel with Brooks the featured performer, while 'Miss Oma' follows with an almost calypso groove running through a jazz workout. Those tunes set the tone, and both are under five minutes long (and the average track length is around five minutes).
The shorter track lengths also help keep the interest of the listener, and indeed there are no extended instrumental excursions on this album (excepting a little improvising on ‘Moonlanding’), which many jazz based groups seem to feel is mandatory, whether it's musically valid or not.
The Indian melodies and rhythms don't always appear or dominate, and there are a few numbers more traditional in jazz arrangement and composition, such as the laid back 'Love and Hunger'. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there's a chance for the trio to rock out on the fast and fusional 'Dubai Dance'.
'The Geometry of Rap' features the konnakol vocal rhythms mentioned earlier, which are also heard on 'Ironically'.
The other tracks are the pleasant and almost understated 'Garuda', and the Carnatic piece 'Katyayini', a duet featuring Prasanna soloing over Smith's drums.
The Raga Bop Trio is not for everyone, and if jazz or jazz fusion has you running for the hills, you'd be better steering clear.
However if you have a fondness for Indian music, and/ or appreciate extremely gifted individuals bringing different musical styles and textures to the table, it’s more than worth a listen.
Raga Bop Trio is already available Stateside (released in July) with its U.K. release due at the end of August, and the trio will be performing a string of U.S. tour dates through November and December.
Ross Muir
August 2010
The following audio tracks are presented to accompany the above review and promote the work of the artist/s. No infringement of copyright is intended.
Garuda
As much as any jazz fusion project can be challenging for the listener, especially one such as this where other musical styles are fused into the Indian melodies and rhythms (including U.S. and European jazz grooves, some rock and a little funk) I happen to find Indian music very accessible and listenable.
There is a natural attraction within its form, but the challenge here is to make it work within a jazz based format, and a trio at that, featuring drums, saxophones and electric guitar. No easy feat.
A distinct advantage though is that Smith and Brooks have previously performed together (with the saxophone player's Indian fusion group Summit), and Smith and Prasanna have played together in a duo format.
Combined, as a trio, there does seem to be a natural chemistry, certainly in musical composition.
The opening number 'Tug of War' has a very Indian melody and feel with Brooks the featured performer, while 'Miss Oma' follows with an almost calypso groove running through a jazz workout. Those tunes set the tone, and both are under five minutes long (and the average track length is around five minutes).
The shorter track lengths also help keep the interest of the listener, and indeed there are no extended instrumental excursions on this album (excepting a little improvising on ‘Moonlanding’), which many jazz based groups seem to feel is mandatory, whether it's musically valid or not.
The Indian melodies and rhythms don't always appear or dominate, and there are a few numbers more traditional in jazz arrangement and composition, such as the laid back 'Love and Hunger'. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there's a chance for the trio to rock out on the fast and fusional 'Dubai Dance'.
'The Geometry of Rap' features the konnakol vocal rhythms mentioned earlier, which are also heard on 'Ironically'.
The other tracks are the pleasant and almost understated 'Garuda', and the Carnatic piece 'Katyayini', a duet featuring Prasanna soloing over Smith's drums.
The Raga Bop Trio is not for everyone, and if jazz or jazz fusion has you running for the hills, you'd be better steering clear.
However if you have a fondness for Indian music, and/ or appreciate extremely gifted individuals bringing different musical styles and textures to the table, it’s more than worth a listen.
Raga Bop Trio is already available Stateside (released in July) with its U.K. release due at the end of August, and the trio will be performing a string of U.S. tour dates through November and December.
Ross Muir
August 2010
The following audio tracks are presented to accompany the above review and promote the work of the artist/s. No infringement of copyright is intended.
Garuda
Katyayini
