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Charu Suri: Ragas & Waltzes
ByWhat Charu Suri did at the beginning of her jazz journey with Book Of Ragas (Amala Music, 2019) and Book Of Ragas Volume II (Amala Music, 2022) was a blending of India's raga tradition with American jazz. What she does with her fourth album release, Ragas & Waltzes, is to tip her pork pie hat to her father, with a lovely exploration of European and Indian musical traditions.
The disc opens with a one-two-three combination of waltzes"Vienna Waltz," "Verona Waltz" and "Waltz For My Father." These are all Suri originals, with which she creates a mood that is a mix, tune-by-tune, of longing and solemnity, then of a lilting and uplifting beauty, segueing into tender reverence that shifts gear into a segment of lively swing before drifting back to loving respect. And that swing is surely inspired by New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band's drummer, Joe Lastie, Jr., sitting in the recording session's drummer's chair. "Floating (Raga Kalyani)" is a timeless sound which gets a understated injection of thougtful and experimental modernism. "Farewell Waltz" bids a loving adieu to Suri's father, who passed in late-2021. A gorgeous and sad tuneSuri's touch is perfection herewhich gives a sense of acceptance of the grief, while Philip Vaiman's violin sounds heaven-sent.
Track Listing
Vienna Waltz; Verona Waltz; Waltz For My Father; Floating (Raga Kalyani); Nature (Raga Hemant); Farewell Waltz.
Personnel
Charu Suri
pianoJoe Lastie, Jr.
drumsJustin Lee
bassPhilip Vaiman
violinDenise Fink
harpAI Jewer
fluteAlbum information
Title: Ragas & Waltzes | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Amala Records
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