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Tasa
Urban Turban
This first-rate Canadian world music ensemble strives for Indian authenticity as it strides into some new and exciting musical territory with its third CD. Combining the sounds of Indian tabla, sarangi, sarod and bansuri with American electric guitars, saxophone
and drumset, Tasa has arrived at a fresh, post-Shakti hybrid of East meets West that recalls saxophonist George Brooks’s Indian fusion with his group Summit (featuring guitarist Fareed Haque, electric bassist, drummer Steve Smith and tabla master Zakir Hussain). World music aficionados and followers of creative instrumental music in general should definitely know about this dynamic band of musical renegades to the North.
While the prevailing vibe here may be in a world music
vein, Urban Turban is highly recommended to open-minded listeners and
devotees of groove everywhere.
-- Bill Milkowski
- Bill Milkowski
It’s unfailingly interesting... the new album features lush, dense rhythmic overlays and haunting sounds...
Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star
- Toronto Star
Tasa is creating a unique amalgam, not a fusion,
but a confluence of musical streams into a river of
improvised originality.
Stephen Pedersen, [Halifax] Chronical Herald
- The Chronical Herald
Jazzy and slinky, it evokes a sexy encounter in a dark lounge one minute and meditation in a green open field the next. In the tradition of Coltrane, the CD shuttles between western jazz and Indian systems of musical scales, the Raga and Tala.
Vinita Srivastava, Impulse Magazine
- Impulse Magazine
Ravi Naimpally on tablas stole the set with an intricate solo displaying the broad capabilities of the seemingly small Indian percussive instrument, and further proved himself worthy of the title tablas virtuoso to an excited round of hooting, hollering and applause.
Chris Imrie, Guelph Mercury
- Guelph Mercury
The sheer confidence of the playing makes Bhakti elegant and virtually unclassifiable. Rating: NNNN
Matt Galloway, NOW Magazine - NOW Magazine
Discography
Bhakti - 2001
Soma - 2002
Urban Turban - 2005
Alchemy - 2009
Songs from all 3 CD's are streamed on our website
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Bio
Tasa is a world music ensemble that performs original music based on the traditions of India. Weaving ancient traditions with a modern attitude, Tasa is charting new rhythmic and melodic frontiers. Their debut release entitled Bhakti won the 2002 Urban Music Award for Best World Music Recording. In 2003 Tasa toured Europe as part of SonicWeave a new initiative sponsored by the Canada Council to promote Canadian talent in Europe. Tasas seamless blend of world traditions has attracted the attention of music lovers and critics all over the globe. The band features some of the top musicians in the world music scene including Dhruba Ghosh, Ravi Naimpally, Chris Gartner, Ernie Tollar, John Gzowski and Alan Hetherington. Together, they weave a rich tapestry of sounds that are a delight to the ear. Alchemy, their 2009 release in celebration of their 10th anniversary has already received critical acclaim and is available in stores across Canada or online at www.tasamusic.com.
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