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Jan Garbarek: Ragas and Sagas

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: ECM Records
Released: 1992
Time:
 52:13
Category: Jazz
Producer(s): Manfred Eicher and Jan Garbarek
Rating: ****...... (4/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.ecmrecords.com
Appears with: Keith Jarrett, Eberhard Weber
Purchase date: 1999
Price in €: 17,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Raga I (N.Khan) - 8:44
[2] Saga (J.Garbarek) - 5:28
[3] Raga II - (N.Khan) - 13:08
[4] Raga III - (N.Khan) - 11:56
[5] Raga IV - (N.Khan) - 12:56

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Jan Garbarek - Soprano and Tenor Saxophones

Ustad Shaukat Hussain - Tabla
Ustad Nazim Ali Khan - Sarangi
Ustad Fateh Ali Khan - Voice
Deepika Thathaal - Voice
Manu Katché - Drums

Jan Erik Kongshaug - Engineer
Barbara Wojirsch - Cover Design
 

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s

1992 CD PolyGram 511263
1992 CD ECM 314-511263-2
1994 CD ECM 21442
1994 CS ECM 21442
2000 CD ECM 511263

Recorded at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, Norway in May 1990.

Renowned Norwegian saxophonist Garbarek has vicariously explored modes of Norwegian folksongs, traditional jazz, and other different aspects of multi-cultural ethnic music. RAGAS AND SAGAS is a bold, enticing journey down the timbral planes of Indian music, augmented by the resonant voices of Deepika Thathaal and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan as well as stellar tabla work by Ustad Shaukat Hussain, and, guesting on drums on the deeply spiritual "Saga," Manu Katche. Garbarek's languid tones play themselves out in an extremely reserved fashion, often letting the percussion and sarangi, a 39-string Indian violin, hold down the rhythm and anchor the spatial compositions. Hypnotic, almost trance-inducing, and certainly smacking of vast distances and regions, RAGAS AND SAGAS sidesteps the basic tenets of what constitutes "jazz," per se, as Garbarek eloquently juxtaposes his native musical instincts against the melodic splendor of Indian culture. Endlessly fascinating ritualistic music of high caliber and insight, RAGAS AND SAGAS is further proof of Garbarek's resiliency as a musician not content to rest on his laurels, but rather one who bravely opens doors, steps over the threshold, and convincingly embraces fundamental musical concepts.



The saxophone is not an instrument usually associated with Pakistani music. And Pakistanis are not especially famous for collaborating with Norwegians. But that is what listeners have on this incredible recording. The music is predominantly Pakistani in sound, tonality, and structure; voice, sarangi, and tabla improvise along with Garbarek's saxophone on every track. For aficionados of Indian or Pakistani music, this is a great recording; Garbarek's lines are right in step with the traditional styles of improvisation. Listeners unacquainted with these traditions will find this recording a mesmerizingly exotic disc. Those familiar with Garbarek's work will be very surprised. This is a completely unique recording for him; one can only hope that he makes further explorations in this vein.

Mark W.B. Allender, All Music Guide



"Das Ergebnis ist der spannendste Ausflug eines Jazzer in die Musikgefilde Indiens seit John McLaughlins Begegnung mit Shakti. Eine Scheibe, die haushoch aus dem Ethno-Wust herausragt."

M. Schmidt in Stereo 12/92



"...The overall strategy is liberal to a degree, the Pakistani musicians doing their stuff while Garbarek interjects melodic solos..."

Q (1/93, p.80) - 3 Stars - Good



"...Garbarek's churning tenor phrasings find a propulsive counterpart in Ustad Shaukat Hussain's tabla, while his limpid soprano lyricism melds with the otherworldly voices of Ali Khan and Deepika Thathaal..."

Down Beat (3/93, p.34) - 4 Stars - Very Good


 

 L y r i c s


Instrumental Album!

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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