Search - Nitin Sawhney :: Prophesy

What can't Nitin Sawhney do?

Jason Cooper | Birmingham, AL | 11/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to figure out what British actor and musician Nitin Sawhney can't do. This accomplished artist has produced an album that is both thought-provoking and technically flawless. He combines various flavors of electronica with eastern chant and flamenco guitar. It is a brilliant and effective combination.



I'm embarrassed to admit how I found out about this guy, but I'll write about it anyway. Two weeks ago, on a flight from Cincinnati to Portland, I listened to a "Delta Radio" show called Asian Travels. The host played Sawhney's piece "Acquired Dreams." It left such an impression on me that I knew I had to have it on CD. I Googled the show name upon getting home and figured out which track had so captivated me. In the process, I made my best acquisition in at least two or three years.



The opening track, "Sunset," is one of the more "pop" sounding tracks, even as it combines an acid jazz beat with an eastern chant and a soul hook. But "Acquired Minds" is a huge highlight. This third track starts with a beautiful, airy chant, then adds a flat trip hop beat and an accompanying guitar loop, among other elements. The middle third of "Acquired" is a drum and bass explosion that somehow combines all of the before listed elements with strings and pan flute. The track closes with an acid jazz improvisation over the original trip hop beat. It's truly a brilliant effort.



A later track, "Developed," features the voice of Nelson Mandela, saying "we are free to be free." The track before has the distant voice of Martin Luther King delivering his famous line "I have seen the promised land." These are wonderful moments.



An amazing aspect of the album is Sawhney's courage in putting so many diverse styles on one record. He is so successful with the drum and bass sounds on a couple of tracks that he could have stuck to that style for the entire album. Instead, he gives us a taste of his virtuoso guitar on "Moonrise." He also gives us a lovely rendition of what sounds like an African chant on the ambient goody "Footsteps." "Ripping Out Tears" is a great rap about the fulfillment of destiny.



Some of the criticism I have read of the album slams Sawhney for his "preachy" liner notes, which rail against the worship of technology. This is a ridiculous assertion. The liner notes are not a long screed, rather they take up all of one page. While it is true that the artist has benefited greatly from technology, his complaint is about the over reliance on it, not the technology itself.



Sawhney sees technology as a way to bring people and culture together, but he worries about the disconnected nature of some technologies, such as television: "Someone will tell you 50,000 people died in India. Two seconds later you're watching a comedy," he writes.



Nitin Sawhney is hardly the first to write and worry about the "desensitization" and the "simulated realities" brought on by technology, but unlike others, he has an answer: a thoughtful expression of sound that brings people together. On several levels Prophecy is a fascinating and important - - and highly underrated - - album for our time."

Beautifully serene....

Jay Carl | California | 11/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ive recently purchased this album and at first found it to be pretty good,but after a few listens (as with all good albums) it seems to grow stronger and stronger. Amazingly beautifull. His music is delicatly crafted using digital and acoustic sounds,it has an almost timeless feel to it and strong but subtle messages. Nitin Sawney also stands out due to his amazing instrumental abiltys. Although hard to define as is a mix of many styles this could be classed as world music, electronic and ethnic. Very modern. Similar vibes to Thievery Corporation, Free Souls and Boozoo Bajou but definatly has a sound of its own, very original.

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If you're looking for emotive music...

A. Talento | Connecticut | 04/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Nitin through my cousin who lives in England. She saw him live in London and raved about it...so off I went in search of this artist. He was difficult to find; nonetheless I was determined. I am one of those people who love music from almost all genres, cultures and corners of the globe. In other words, I am not a radio-pop saccharine sweet loving music listener. I look for music that proposes thought (although I do believe even top 40 has its place) If you are looking for an album/artist that resonates emotion, along with a powerful subtlety check Nitin Sawhney out. You won't be disappointed."