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Prasanna: Be the Change
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There are two core ensembles at work here. Flecktones bandmates Jeff Coffin and Victor Wooten, and their frequent drum partner Derico Watson, work their special magic on several tracks. All of Coffin’s horns are overdubbed into a wind orchestra on the opener, “Pangaea Rising.” The melody keeps alternating between lyrical and driving, a wild ride. Prasanna recites the rhythmic tala syllables on “Ta ka ta ki ta Blues” before his guitar and Coffin’s tenor fire up the cyclical theme, and “The Grapevine” unfolds quietly as the guitar and bass exchange sinuous lines. Following a pensive acoustic guitar statement, Wooten and Watson support Prasanna and vocalist Shalini on the punchy second part of “Bliss Factor.” The pinpoint unison between the guitar and voice on its exotic theme is simply indescribable.
The second core group here includes reedman Andy Suzuki (Brubeck, Corea, Kilauea), drummer Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa, Don Ellis, Manhattan Transfer), and bassist Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report). Once again Prasanna draws the best from his bandmates, beginning with the light-hearted “Satyam.” The Indian elements on this album are never simply stylistic filigree but an integral part of the whole concept, and Prasanna makes it work beautifully. Highly recommended.
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Track Listing
Pangaea Rising; Ta ka ta ki ta Blues; Satyam; Ragabop; The Grapevine; Dharma becomes Alibama; Uncensored; Bliss Factor - Part I; Bliss Factor - Part II; Kalyani Connection.
Personnel
Prasanna, vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitar, konnakol, tala; Shalini, vocals (#3,9); Andy Suzuki, tenor and alto saxes, piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute (#3,6,7); Jeff Coffin, tenor and soprano saxes, flute, alto flute, clarinet, bass clarinet (#1,2,5); Alphonso Johnson, electric and acoustic basses (#3,4,6,7,10); Victor Wooten, electric bass (#1,2,5,9); Ralph Humphrey (#3,4,6,7,10), Derico Watson (#1,2,5,9), drums.
Album information
Title: Be the Change | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Susila Music