Search - Mukta :: Jade

Intriguing ethno-jazz

LGwriter | Astoria, N.Y. United States | 11/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a unique ensemble--a French Indo-jazz group. None of the players are likely well-known to American listeners, but don't let that stop you from an eminently satisfying listening experience. Traditional jazz instruments--drums, trumpet, guitar, marimba--combine with Indian ones--sitar, tambura, bansuri--to produce a set of tunes that defy easy categorization.Mukta also makes use of Latin percussion, an additional component that blends seamlessly, thanks to the leader's (Simon Mary's) songwriting skills. The presence of this third culture lets you know these guys are well aware of the environment of world music--but they don't overdo it; they're savvy enough to know how to give their music exactly what it needs to make it glow, scintillate, and throb. A great band; it should be more well-known than it is..."