For The Love Of Tabla
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to For The Love Of Tabla
This 8th album from the Juno nominated collective Toronto Tabla Ensemble places the North Indian Tabla right at center stage, as Ritesh Das and company explore themes of love alongside fellow Canadian artists on this stunning listen.
“Encore 21” opens the listen with a dizzying display of swift scatting, mesmerizing tabla and plenty of creative texturing, and “Jovano Jovanke” follows with stirring violin and gorgeous singing in the expressive and poetic climate.
Approaching the middle, “Spellcheck” recruits booming drums and soft percussive ideas into the stylish and rhythmic album highlight, while “Taiko Crush” features Kiyoshi Nagata’s Taiko drum prowess for the hypnotic and cultured landscape.
Near to the end, “Nine To Ten” showcases Raaginder Singh Momi's skilled violin playing alongside firm tabla in the meticulous fusion, and “O Canada” exits the listen with a clever and soothing spin on the country’s National Anthem amid Alysha Addetia’s captivating flute.
In addition to the above, Bif Naked provides her exceptional vocals on the haunting, groove driven rocker “Prayer For The Mother”, and I feel quite confident saying that this is TTE’s best album to date, which is no easy feat considering the magnitude of their catalog.
Travels well with: Satellites- Love And Disaster; Toronto Tabla Ensemble- Unexpected Guests