Ranjit Barot
Bada Boom
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www.ranjitbarot.com
By George W. Harris

You probably haven’t heard of this drummer, who’s made his name as a sideman and film composition, but let me tell ya, you’re going to like him! He’s another piece of the puzzle that is combining Indian music influences with contemporary jazz, and he’s written most of the material (along with a few traditional tunes goosed up) as well. And you want chops?!? He’s got John McLaughlin tearing through a joyfully manic “Singularity” while tabla burner Zakir Hussain adds octane to the sparkling “Supernova.” A tune like “T=0” mixes Tim Garland’s soprano sax with some thrillingly Central Asian sounds provided by U.Rajesh’s electric mandolin, Palakkad Sreeram’s flute and the Nirvana’s String Section’s exotic flavorings. “Origin” has Wayne Krants blending his six strings to Scott Kinsey’s soaring keyboards and some ethereal vocals, and “Dark Matter” will keep you on your toes with some heavy horn section work puncturing the wall of sound created by Harmeet Manseta’s electric piano and Garland’s saxes. Exciting stuff, lots of energy, and enough spices to make sweat develop underneath your eyes. Always the sign of a good Indian feast!