Label – Positiv ID
Artistes – Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney provides us with his latest collection of experimental music in his eighth studio album London Undersound. Known for his constantly exploring tendencies, musician Nitin Sawhney creatively interprets and puts forth his views on the London Bombing tragedy ‘musically’.
Vociferous and outspoken artists like Paul McCartney, and sculptor Antony Gormley who created much of the artwork found in the album, join him in his expression.
London Undersound explores how fear changed London since the events on 9/11 and in particular the 7/7 London bombings of 2005. It may seem like a political album, but unchanging truth expressed is free for indivuidual interpretation – metamorphically.
Starting with ‘Days of Fire’, Reggae singer Natty speaks of somber realizations about how the citizens of the capital, and himself personally, have been affected by 7/7 and other disasters. The lyrics of the songs describes how things changed after the terror attacks. Natty sounds honest as he progresses with his description – one of the best on the album.
The dreamy ride continues through to ‘October Daze and then into ‘Bring It Home’ sung with the distinctive vocals of Imogen Heap over a drum n’ bass beat. ‘My Soul’ featuring Paul Macca is a east-west blended melody with indian alaaps in the background.
The next song features Faheem Mazhar, one of the highlights on the track is the inclusion of the British politician Jack Straw’s quote “… ask them if they would mind removing the veil…” – hitting the bulls eye! towards the end. Piano ballad ‘Ek Jaan’is equally loud but in a subliminal way.
‘Transmission’ expresses the numbing affect of exhaustive news coverrage with media and television industry often resorts during tragic situations. ‘Last Train to Midnight’ features daughter of Cream’s bass player, both ‘Transmission’ and ‘Last Train to Midnight’ are experimental – screaming doom. In the next track Charu Keshi Rain, a traditional raag originally by Ravi Shankar is used. George Harrison was taught the same raaga during his Indian visit by Panditji.
You will probably find yourself dreaming away to the disturbing truth in the album.
