Nitin Sawhney, Prophesy (V2) 9+
Nitin Sawhney's epic fifth album features over 200 musicians, recorded in London, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, Madrid, Bangalore, Soweto, Ganyangar, Nhulunbuy and elsewhere in India, Australia, and England. With his trademark affection for sumptuous strings and sweet-voiced songbirds, one might expect nothing more than the sort of schlocky mess of a New Age World music compilation stinking of Nagchampa. Indeed, London-based Indian Sawhney mixes Arabic, Brazilian, Spanish, Aborigine and American R&B, sometimes in the same song. Sawhney refuses to adhere to strict ideas of authenticity. Those who expect gritty field recordings of tabla-fury will be sorely disappointed. But open minds will be richly rewarded by Prophesy, which makes recent efforts by London-based Asian Underground artists (Talvin Singh, Joi, Badmarsh & Shri) seem conservative in comparison. The album has a cohesive vision, tying themes of spiritual and material wealth with the dichotomy of the globilization of technology -- bringing the world closer, yet robbing our time with families and neighborhood communities. Several songs have a loose R&B flavor -- "Nothing" begins with an upbeat vibe with vocals by Tina Grace, suggestive of Massive Attack's trippy soul, and "The Preacher" features sermonizing by Chicago soul guru Terry Callier. "Acquired Dreams" places Natacha Atlas' emotive, Arabic vocals in the swirling context of a Bollywood orchestra. "Moonrise" is a brilliant duet between Algerian rai singer Cheb Mami and London-Brazilian Nina Rocha Miranda, embroidered by lovely Flamenco guitar by Jose Miguel Carmona. Words of wisdom are offered by Mandawuy Yunupingu, founder of the Aborigine group Yothu Yindi in "Developed," and snippets of an interview with Nelson Mandela are intertwined with moody strings and Hindustani-style spoken percussion by Trilok Gurtu to mesmerizing effect. Sawhney opens up more personal wounds with the haunting "Cold And Intimate." After such elegiac songs, the funk-metal "Ripping Out Tears" with Ohio rapper Pinky Tuscadero is a bit more jarring than energizing. But the album swings to a dizzying peak with "Prophesy," as the tablas and Sufi chants climb to a frantic crescendo. A landmark release.
