Re/Semblance: An India-China Musical Collaboration
Ansonica, 2021
8/10
Listen to Re/Semblance: An India-China Musical Collaboration
A very unique collaboration between Indian and Chinese musicians and a Cantopop lyricist, the 2 discs here bring much cross-cultural experience with plenty of Hindustani influence to be found.
Disc 1, Shanghai, opens the disc with carefully plucked, bare strings that benefit from smooth, harmonic singing, and “Qarlygash- The Swallow” follows with soothing, gorgeous singing alongside the strategic percussion.
Deeper into this portion, “Appreciating The Lotus” illustrates gorgeous vocal harmonies amid a dreamy, cultured climate, and “Maya, The Swindler” finishes Shanghai with sublime singing that softly chants in a very intimate fashion.
Disc 2 is just as absorbing, and leads with the spoken word focused and drum friendly “When The New Century Comes”, and “Never Explain The World” continues with poetic storytelling and eloquent singing working together.
Further still, “Krishna At Moonset” showcases fluid drumming and percussion and “Away To Your City” exits the listen with quivering strings and a rare vulnerability that’s quite stirring.
The Indian voices from Chow Yiu-Fai, Omkarnath Havaldar, Rutuja Lad, Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy, Zhe Lai, and Zhang Yi, and the yangqin from Kimho Ip, pipa from Zhang Yi, tabla by Kedarnath Havaldar and harmonium courtesy of Sameer Havaldar makes for an inter-cultural listening adventure that’s makes an indelible impression.
Travels well with: Eight Strings & A Whistle- … and nothing remains. the same…; The Lowell Chamber Orchestra- The Suite