Mozaick
Self-Relesed, 2021
8/10
A project spearheaded by the musical director Mustafa Khetty, with Mozaick his diverse vision brings in a wealth of musicians to help flesh out the prog-rock, Indian music nods and plenty of experimental and fusion ideas that you’re not likely to hear anywhere else.
The fascinating listen leads with the atmospheric and nearly haunting “Rage Before The Storm”, where warm guitar weaves in and out of sci-fi sounds and wordless vocals in a meticulously textured opener.
Residing near the middle is the ambient and mysterious “Dancing With Elves”, where intricate guitar work unfolds amid the nearly 9 minutes of precision, while “It’s Who We Are Mozaick”, builds from spirited guitar into a layered display of fusion acrobatics and majestic, cultured songwriting that’s cinematic. “Istanbul Swing”, one of the record’s most unique tunes, then lands closer to Eastern music, though classic rock and jazz ideas are certainly at the core of the climate, too.
Near the end, “Nights To Remember” highlights a chunky riff as versatile singing enters the melodic, prog-influenced setting, and “Cry For Freedom” exits the listen with hypnotic keys and moody strings while soaring vocals help cultivate a dreamy landscape that hints at classical music.
Khetty brings a small army with him on this very detailed effort, where clarinet, kanun, ney, sitar and many different programming techniques are present, and it results in a very distinct form of prog-rock that embraces jazz, classical, Eastern sounds and even Western rock’n’roll under the unparalleled creativity of Khetty’s artistic mind.
Travels well with: Matterhorn- Outside; Wudewise- Northern Gothic