MUMBAI: IndiaBeat, a music label which promotes Indo-fusion music, is now available for digital downloads on Nokia Music (www.nokia.co.in). The IndiaBeat catalogue includes the following albums:
Sanjay Mishra, Blue Incantation…: This is a 1995 classic featuring Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead in his last studio appearance. What is the kind of music? This is more of a rock album which has a world sound to it. Mishra is a guitarist trained in western classical music. This album has tracks composed by Mishra on which Garcia has given his distinctive blues feel www.mishra.net
Pete Lockett and Amit Chatterjee, Taalisman…: A brand new jazz fusion effort by one of the hardest working percussionists in the world, Pete Lockett and virtuoso guitarist Amit Chatterjee. Pete’s sounds range from funk, jazz, Hollywood soundtracks to Carnatic and Japanese rhythms. Chatterjee has been a guitarist with Nu Jazz legend Josef Zawinul for a decade and later played with Trilok Gurtu. www.myspace.com/taalisman2.
Henrik Andersen, Pete Lockett and Shashank, R??R…: Henrik is a multi-talented artiste from Denmark. Henrik was the soloist in John McLaughlin’s Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra, ‘The Mediterranean’, with the Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra. The album R??R brings together Pete Lockett on percussions and flute prodigy Shashank together with Henrik to create sounds which are both compelling and melodic.
Karnatriix, Namaste…: This Chennai band led by guitarist John Anthony was inspired by Saint Thyagaraja’s hyms. Anthony fuses his guitar with Faiyaz Ahmad Khan’s soulful sarangi to create some brilliant mood music, backed up with bass and percussion. www.myspace.com/karnatriix.
Broto Roy, American Raga…: Broto plays the tabla and leads a jazz ensemble in USA. From a musically inclined family, Broto brings Indian themes alive with American Raga features guitarist Jeff Bollenbeck and TK Smith. Roy is regarded highly in USA and is one of the few musicians of Asian background who have played live at the Lincoln Centre, Washington DC. www.brotoroy.com.
Pt. Debashish Bhattacharyya, Calcutta Chronicles…: One of the most exciting names in slide guitar, Debashish, who has played with Shakti and John McLaughlin is considered amongst the top slide guitarists in the world along with Jerry Douglas and Derek Trucks. Debashish is the recipient of the BBC Radio3 World Music Award in 2007 and Grammy Nominee 2009. www.debashishbhattacharyya.org .
Amit Heri, “Elephant Walk”: This is a 1999 reissue. Jazz guitarist Amit Heri’s band comprises of Matt Garrison, Peter Rende, Matt Renzi and Marko Djordjevic to relaunch their 1999 album “Amit Heri Group” on IndiaBeat (www.amitheri.com , www.myspace.com/amitherigroup ).
Indradeep Ghosh and Pt. Kumar Bose, Flames – The Passion of Indian Raga…: This is a pure classical album showcasing a very talented violinist Indradeep Ghosh. Accompanying him is tabla maestro Pt. Kumar Bose.
Pete Lockett & Uma Shankar, Made in Chennai…: Percussion masters Pete and Uma whip up carnatic and international rhythm textures backed with beautiful vocals.
Badal Roy/Duofel: Brazilian jazz guitar duo with jazz tabla legend Badal Roy for a unique experience in rhythm and melodic grace. Roy, a Miles Davis alumni is a living percussion legend having starred on Davis’s landmark album On the Corner…. The Brazilian guitar duo are Luiz Bueno and Fernando Melo (This album is expected to be in the Nokia store soon).