VOICES FOR HUMANS, ANCESTORS AND GODS: A Musical Journey Through India's Interior (East and North-East)
VARIOUS ARTISTS TSCD933

Recordings, photographs and text by Rolf Killius

This acoustic journey starts in Eastern India, and travels up the Ghat mountain range, into the plains of Western Bengal. In the North East it enters the Assamese river delta and finally climbs up to the Himalayan highlands. This musical journey roughly follows the real journey of the sound recordist Rolf Killius, who has been documenting Indian music for the last ten years.

This selection comprises regional music cultures (bargit, odissi, bhajan, Baul and loko geet), music of the minstrel balladeers (Daasari, Maasti and Baul) and music of the Adivasi cultures (Saora, Deori and Monpa).The collection focuses on what many believe to be India’s primary melody instrument - the voice. It includes many incredibly rare performances including those of the Adivasi, the original inhabitants of India. Most of the performances are accompanied, variously, on thumbra (3 string lute), drums, jenjurungrai (lute), cymbals and other percussion, violin, tambura, murali flute, etc etc.

• "The human voice is at the heart of these musical experiences and musical experiences are what these gloriously stretching performances present." fRoots

• "One can’t help feeling that for those who know only the classical and Rajasthani folk styles – which means nearly all India-followers – it’s quite an ear opener." BBC Music Magasine

• "This wonderful CD lifts the veil on the riches to be found in the remote eastern villages. The rough-hewn voices, recorded with such intimate immediacy that you can scent the air and feel the breeze, celebrate village rituals with irresistible charm." Independent on Sunday

• "Indian folk doesn’t get more authentic than this. An extremely vivid and exciting collection of music from village musicians in eastern India. This disc breaks new ground. It’s rare that a CD of field recordings gets picked as a Top of the World album, because raw, local music can be hard on ears accustomed to “produced” sounds. But these performances are genuine, powerful and deserve to be heard." Songlines – A “Top of the World” album

• "This is emotional music, guided not by structure as much as feeling, which builds a solid foundation. Thanks to Killius’s sturdy ear and own devotion, this elegant and rich album is reaching the intended audience." Sing Out

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From the World & Traditional Music Section of the British Library Sound Archive>>