Justin Gray: New Horizons

What's an artist to do if he can't find an established instrument to suit his musical needs. If you are bassist Justin Gray, you design and co-create one. It's called the Bass Veena, a a hybrid that combines the characteristics of the fretless bass and numerous Indian string instruments.

New Horizons by Justin Gray and Synthesis introduces the Bass Veena, traveling a Raga route with an ensemble that includes an array of Western strings—violins and cellos, guitar, electric guitars—joined by percolating Indian and Persian percussion: Tibetan singing bowls, piano and organ, crafting a modern/ancient, East/West groove atmosphere.

There's no mistaking the Indian influences to the sound. Less obvious perhaps is the percussive rhythms of R&B and rock. The brew boasts rich sonic textures and sinewy threadings, segments of trance-inducing beauty interspersed with hard-driving momentums, and understated, serve-the-music virtuosity all around.

All the disc' compositions come from the pen of Justin Gray. They are steeped in the traditions of Indian classical music tinted with American jazz. Even with a rotating cast of instrumentalists, the sound maintains a compelling start to finish cohesion. New Horizons sounds timeless, a multiple strings, multiple percussions-fest full the mysteries of wisdom of the centuries.