Invitation to the Album

[Nickyboy]

This thread has sat silently for a while, so I thought I would introduce you to Sir Victor Uwaifo. He was a part of movement in the early 1970s in Nigeria where traditional music was introduced to electric guitars and lots of fuzzy feedback. Uwaifo has a pretty solid discography if you care to wade into it. And if this music doesn't make you get up and dance, you may be dead already.

 

[axolotl]

This thread deserves more attention than it gets.

What a coincidence - so does this album.

Ray Spiegel Ensemble ~ Sum and Kali (2000)



While the RYM designation is Hindustani Classical Music, it is closer to the designation of Raga Jazz, which incidentally is the title of the ensemble's next album. Or, Raga Jazz Fusion. One can be listening to a rhythmic trance-like piece, and a saxophone comes wafting and dancing through the ether.

It reminds me of my days working deep underground in the Temple of Doom, bound to drudgery and toil by a Thuggee cult, until that one day Professor Jones (he let us call him "Indy") arrived and set us all free.

Amazon Reviewer:

Sum and Kali is a true work of art created and produced by Ray Speigel. The Ray Speigel ensemble brought the fusion of eastern and western music to a new level. Never before have we heard an artist play western music and still retain the rhythm, intricacies, and feeling of classical Indian music. Sum and Kali is a jazz bass, saxaphone, flute, and violin welded to the classical Indian sarangi (Indian violin), tabla (Indian drum), dhol (Indian drum), tampura (a drone instrument), and others played by many well known artists. This album is mostly instrumental but contains a couple tracks sung by Bhagavan Das whose voice is enchanting and soothing. Ray Spiegel's mastery of the tabla is truly represented in Sum and Kali. What he has done on this album with the tabla has never been done before. The arrangement and composition of the music is unique and catches your attention. His creativity has expanded the possibilities and horizons of both eastern and western music. This album is jazzy and upbeat, yet relaxing at the same time. It is very inspirational for those who play, study, or are involved in the industry of music. It is definatly worth listening to.

 

[Nickyboy]

This thread deserves more attention than it gets.

What a coincidence - so does this album.

Ray Spiegel Ensemble ~ Sum and Kali (2000)



While the RYM designation is Hindustani Classical Music, it is closer to the designation of Raga Jazz, which incidentally is the title of the ensemble's next album. Or, Raga Jazz Fusion. One can be listening to a rhythmic trance-like piece, and a saxophone comes wafting and dancing through the ether.

It reminds me of my days working deep underground in the Temple of Doom, bound to drudgery and toil by a Thuggee cult, until that one day Professor Jones (he let us call him "Indy") arrived and set us all free.

Amazon Reviewer:

I'm there.

 

[Ojai Sam]

This thread deserves more attention than it gets.

What a coincidence - so does this album.

Ray Spiegel Ensemble ~ Sum and Kali (2000)



While the RYM designation is Hindustani Classical Music, it is closer to the designation of Raga Jazz, which incidentally is the title of the ensemble's next album. Or, Raga Jazz Fusion. One can be listening to a rhythmic trance-like piece, and a saxophone comes wafting and dancing through the ether.

It reminds me of my days working deep underground in the Temple of Doom, bound to drudgery and toil by a Thuggee cult, until that one day Professor Jones (he let us call him "Indy") arrived and set us all free.

Amazon Reviewer:

Thanks for reviving this thread, Axo.

I really enjoyed this album. During the late 50's and early 60's there were quite a few jazz albums bearing an Eastern influence but they usually approached the style from the West. Conversely, Sum and Kali seems to start with real trad Indian music and then sneak in some jazzy touches. I haven't listened to much raga other than Ravi but will definitely seek out more Ray.

 

[axolotl]

I just received another copy of Sum and Kali at a bookstore sale.

Does anyone want it? If you do, it's yours.

Just raise your hand, below.

ETA: I ask for nothing but your address.

 

[Nickyboy]

I just received another copy of Sum and Kali at a bookstore sale.

Does anyone want it? If you do, it's yours.

Just raise your hand, below.

ETA: I ask for nothing but your address.

Yes, please.

 

[axolotl]

Yes, please.

It is yours.

I think I have your address, somewhere.