Rudresh Mahanthappa's Indo-Pak Coalition: Apti

Mahanthappa keeps most traditional jazz sounds on the periphery on the title track. The effect is almost at a subconscious level, as the Indian influences control the main theme while there is an ongoing lure to search outside that box for more familiar ground. It is just the right mix to make the sound more clearly ethnic without throwing out the jazz element. "Vandanaa Trayee" features a sitar-like guitar method from Rez Abbasi, accompanied by Mahanthappa's somewhat longer lines, providing a serene staging for Abbasi's acoustic solo.

"IIT" is one of the more interesting tracks as it opens in a solidly rooted post-bop approach, and yet controlled—like all the tracks on Apti— by an ethnic sensibility. In this case, the sound has more of a general Middle Eastern feel as Dan Weiss's tablas set the pace and feel. "IIT" has a strong resemblance to some of Jan Garbarek's earlier collaborations with Ustad Shaukat Hussain, but here the music is more melodic.

Mahanthappa has previously been best identified as the saxophonist in Vijay Iyer's progressive and groundbreaking trio. One of the most recognized jazz musicians of Indian descent (Mahanthappa is a Boulder, Colorado native), it was clear early on that his creative and unique style fated him as a leader. His melding of musical cultures has been an on and off experiment until his move to New York in 1997. He has been quoted as having early trepidations regarding the ability and logic of working traditional Indian drones, jazz harmonies and primal instruments such as tabla, into a jazz format. This concern existed, despite earlier works of John Coltrane and Miles Davis. However, having accumulated experience, expertise and self-assurance, Mahanthappa has set about composing and producing a work based on an understanding of western jazz and Indian conventions to produce an unusually inventive collection.