Karma Sutra, Prana (Invisible/DivaNation) 9
Without the restrictions of a full band, Preston Klik has the freedom to loosen the strings of his globe-trotting post-hippy freak flag and revisit the ethnic excursions initiated with Big Hat. But more than anything, the open-ended structures allow singer 22 year-old Mona Jethmalani to truly soar in her astounding debut. Prana is the most diverse fusion of Hindustani and Western culture in recent years, with Western classical-influenced vocals, dance beats, and the gothic mysticism of Dead Can Dance. Former My Scarlet Life percussionist Amy Spina contributes dumbek, djembe and other ethnic instruments. While British-Indian singer Sheila Chandra has backed off from mixing genres into more traditional tonal experiments, Jethmalani takes more risks, singing in both Hindu and English, and at times daring to be boldly erotic. "Prana" starts with a traditional Indian drone, and Jethmalani's siren-like wails. Gradually, tablas, electronic effects, eerie keyboards and chanting create a haunting whole. "Simplicity" tries out Scarlet Life's pop for size, and Neneh Cherry-flavored "Swarg" is downright catchy, with spoken word contributed by Sunny Singh of TS Soundz. "Ocean" sounds like a powerfully atomspheric soundtrack to a movie with blowing sand, epic battles and heartache. "March Together" features a hypnotic rhythm and a wonderful vocal melody that outdoes any recent Massive Attack. The only experiment that doesn't quite pay off is the gauzy poetry of "RobberyOfVibrations." The processed vocals make the whole affair sound more awkward and heavy-handed than the effortless eroticism of cuts like "The Black Oak Tree." With only one less-than stellar track, nothing can hold back the immense force of Mona Jethmalani's rising star.
