Search - Amar :: Outside

Amazing vocalist, all-around good debut CD

Samantha | Minneapolis, Fort Belknap rez & London | 05/26/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In late 1997 as a fourteen year old I purchased Talvin Singh's "Anokha Soundz of the Asian Underground" CD and immediately upon hearing track one "Jaan" sung by Amar (Who, as the same age as myself, was only fourteen when she recorded it.) was astounded! Indeed, I credit my sustained and intense love of the South Asian Music coming out of Britain to Amar's magnificent voice and Talvin Singh's ingenuity . While I had read in various publications about a rumoured Album by the still very young and new to the scene Amar, I avoided buying the CD for three years---generally on the basis of rarity and very high import costs. However, after discovering this CD at a much cheaper price from another retailer I decided to reacquaint myself with the voice that had meant so much to my own cultural evolution. Very few reviews of this album are currently available on the internet, however, from what I have gathered most critiques though definitely certain of Amar's immense potential believe that her style of vocal delivery and some of the English lyrics are still gaining their maturity and perspective. I agree. Songs like "Sometimes It Snows in April" and "Maybe" while partnered with amazing arrangements that blend the electronica of England's "Jungle" "Drum & Bass" etc sounds with more "traditional *" instruments ie Tabla, Sitar, Harmonium etc the lyrics backing them up at times sound down-right childish or odd. One stand out to all this being the tracks "The World", and "After Sunset" which both in delivery and sound have a gorgeous pretence of tranquillity about it Other commentaries have also stated the Amar's vocals sound more on key and natural in Hindi---most Definitely true. I have (what I consider, especially as a person of non-Desi but Hindu/Sikh origin) the privilege of being fluent in Hindi and I find her vocalisation, emphasis and delivery awesome in Hindi. Amar's rendition of the Bhajan* "Tere Bina" is perhaps the best I have heard sung by anyone. "Red Sky" produced by Nitin Sawhney ( SA underground artist perhaps equalling Talvin Singh in genius and skill) is incredible in the usage of technology, crafty production and solid vocals---resulting in a song that could double as a Bhangra/Desi party favourite nonetheless has merit without such promotionAmar's album is a fantastic product of the amazing inter-cultural blends of music arising out of second generation Asian Artists. This is a wonderful debut from an artist who is still finding her musical niche while simultaneously maintaining a solid footing in a hybrid cultural identity.*I use "traditional" loosely because these instruments may have their origins and sounds in South Asia but have been nearly reinvented in diasporic Desi music.
*Hindu Hymn"

Only so-so except for knockout Prince cover Sometimes April!

G. Mitchell | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The album and her voice do grate a bit, but...worth the price of admission if only for her stunning, Guy Sigworth-produced remake of Prince's "Sometimes It Snows in April" from Parade/Under A Cherry Moon - her phrasing, the beat, the strings, the climax...it works and then some. Simply amazing stuff."