I have to admit right off the bat that usually anything, especially when it comes to music, if the words 'chillout' are involved, then I can pretty much guarantee that I won't spend a lot of time listening to it , let alone liking it. Now I know it sounds like a cliché to suggest that you shouldn't judge the proverbial book by its cover, but I realized this is in fact what I was doing with Ariel Kalma's latest release Chillout India. Maybe it was because that when I first discovered Kalma it was through his ground breaking electronic ragas of their early 70's on the brilliant recent re-issue of Le Temps Des Moissons, that I could not bear to think he was venturing off into chillout, ambient territory. However, Kalma is someone who has long been known for fusing various different styles and cultures of the world into his own unique musical mosaic for over forty years, so I have to further admit that I was both frustrated and confused as to why my reluctance and trepidation to delve into this album was basically hindered by my own impractical, preconceived notions of what basically amounted to nothing more than a word. Without getting into further analysis of my own insecurities, by the time the first track "Hindinasia" was halfway through all of my thoughts were out the window, as I continued to listen somewhat embarrassed with myself. As the beautiful, mellow sounds of a bamboo flute and equally as soothing electronic tribal beats lightly caressed my brain, Indian vocalist Siddhant Bhatia entered the mix to give this engaging composition it's distinctly Eastern feel. Chillout India is billed as Eastern moods on ambient grooves and Ariel in addition to providing grooves and programming effects, also displays the considerable skills that he's world renowned for on flute and saxophone on tracks such as "Deva Dancing" and "Sarega Sax". The nine minute track "Hardi Ari" is opulently layered in such a way, that along with the steady, understated hypnotic grooves, it creates nothing less than the ultimate, relaxed listening atmosphere.
Chillout India is further proof that Ariel Kalma's inimitable vision of seamlessly blending the diverse cultures of the world can indeed bring the citizens of this planet a little closer together through music. It might also help tear down the odd preconceived notion as well.
Track Listing
1) Hindinasia
2) Deva Dancing
3) Delhi Delight
4) Chillout India
5) Sarega Sax
6) Hardi Ari
7) Kalavati Blue
8) Echoes of Maluku
9) New Delhi Dreams