USTAD SULTAN KHAN
1/ Aja Maji (Sacred Rhythm Version) (Khan,Ahmed,Marino) 6.30
2/ Tarana (Khan) 4.24
3/ Jana (Sad Bachelor Remix) (Khan,Shah) 5.13
4/ Jaadu (Magic) (Khan,Ahmed,HK) 5.34
5/ Majhi Re (Khan,Ahmed,HK) 4.39
6/ Maula (Bhangra-Hydrate Vocal Mix) (Khan,Ahmed,HK) 7.20
7/ Sayaji (Dance Trance Version) (Khan) 8.48
8/ Meher Ali (Bollywood Burning Remix) (Khan,Ahmed,HK) 5.24
9/ Caravan (Karava) (Khan,SC,Shah,SS) 5.10
10/ Don't Run Away (Khan,Ahmed,HK) 5.24
Original recording sessions recorded at Manhattan Beach Recording Studios,
New York City
Engineered by Dave Marino
Assistant Engineer: Jordan Lieb
Produced by David Nichtern
Tracks 1 and 7 recorded and mixed at East Side Sounds, NY
Tracks 1 and 7 remixes engineered by Fran Cathcart
Tracks 1 and 7 remixes and additional new music produced, arranged and
mixed by Joaquin
Joe Clausell for Sacred Rhythm Music
Track 2 remix produced by Thievery Corporation at ESL Studios Washington DC
Tracks 3, 8 and 10 remixes recorded at Manhattan Beach Recording Studios,
New York City
Tracks 3, 8 and 10 remixes produced and engineered by Radar One
Track 4 remix recorded at Caravan Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Track 4 remix and additional production by Nickodemus & Chris Annibell
Tracks 5 and 9 remixes recorded at Sonic Pollution, Seaford, NY
Tracks 5 and 9 remixes produced, engineered and mixed by Brainpolluter
Track 6 remix produced, programmed, engineered and mixed by Ralphi Rosario
Track 8 remix produced and engineered by Radar One
Original Recording Sessions:
Additional (remix) musicians:
(1) Brian Mitchell: keyboards; Jay Collins: flute; Abdu: udu drum; Joaquin Joe Clausell: balinese bells, percussion,
programming, sound fx; (3) Jordan Lieb: bass, keyboards, strings, drum programming, scratching; (5) Dave Marino: bass,
keyboards, accordion, pump organ, drums, percussion; David Parker: guitars; (7) Daniel Moreno: african congas,
percussion; Brian Mitchell: piano, keyboards; Amanpodo: viola; Joaquin Joe Clausell: bass, programming, udu drum,
sound fx; (8) Jordan Lieb: drums, synths; Pete Belasco: horns, flutes; (9) Dave Marino: bass, keyboards, drums,
percussion; (10) Jordan Lieb: bass, keyboards, string, drum programming.
2004 - 5 Points Records (USA), FPT0113 (CD)
Note: The original recording sessions have not been released.
Like Shankar and Harrison, Khan is a boundary pusher when it comes to classical Indian music, both in his solo work and the Indian fusion group he collaborates with, Tabla Beat Science (which also boasts Zakir Hussain and Bill Laswell as members). On Rare Elements, Khan shows off his more progressive side, pairing with electronic producers from around the globe for a spin in classical Hindustani music that still remains true to the original art form thanks to impeccable musicianship and respectful production. NY–based DJ, producer, remixer, and label-head Joe Claussell gives "Aja Maji (Sacred Rhythm Mix)" a beautiful, subtly electronic vibe using loops of percussion, delicate and gauzy layers of sound, and slight reverb on vocals for a track that sounds surprisingly organic.
Continuing with the New Yorker collaborations, Khan pairs up with Nickodemus and Osiris, a duo best known for fusing world, jazz, funk, and dance-floor grooves. Indeed, on their joint effort, "Jaadu (Magic)," the three create a cerebral funk-inspired groove with elements of minimalism for a deeper, nocturnal vibe that alludes to the mysticism implied in the song title. The album finishes with a collaboration with the ultimate DJs of world chill, Thievery Corporation. This DC–based duo add a bed of lush electronic and gently displaces vocals for a dreamy effect that gives the impression of being surrounded by music and floating away on a bed of sound.
courtesy of the Daily Om website
On RARE ELEMENTS, a crew of celebrated re-mixers tackles one of the biggest names in Indian classical music with smooth, danceable results. Ustad Sultan Khan is a world-renowned sarangi master and vocalist who descends from India's famed Khan family of musicians. His unique voice and sarangi playing have made him a sought-after collaborator. He has performed alongside Ravi Shankar and contributed to tracks by Madonna, Duran Duran, and other popular western musicians. The sarangi is a string instrument, held upright and played with a bow. Its ability to imitate the human voice has made it a popular instrument for singing performers. The sarangi is used to great effect in many of the tracks on RARE ELEMENTS, such as Joe Claussell's "Sayaji." Claussell uses a repeated sample of sarangi to punctuate Sultan Khan's vocals, which alters the usual drone of the instrument and gives it a new, modern context. Thievery Corporation delivers the most mellow track, "Tarana," a deep, beat-driven number that Sultan Khan's vocals float over, while ambient melodies punctuate the sparse arrangement. RARE ELEMENTS gives a diverse mix of music, from moody down-tempo to hard dance beats. Most importantly, the album is expertly sequenced so the music flows without any jarring transitions.
5/10
IndiaMusicLover (courtesy of the Deseist.com blog)