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Pandit Barun Kumar Pal : Reviews :
Arts Tribune "Chateau Benares" Akar Music Ravi Shankar's Disciple Mesmerises
Omkarananda Ganga Sadan Review on Indo-Jazz-Fusion Records
Top 50 Airplay Chart for 2003 from NewAgeReporter.com
SANJAY MISHRA "Chateau Benares"
Akar Music
Friday, October 27, 2006; Page WE13
SANJAY MISHRA"Chateau Benares"Akar Music
THANKS IN NO SMALL part to "Blue Incantation," a highly regarded collaboration with fellow guitarist Jerry Garcia released in 1995, Sanjay Mishra has developed a reputation for creating imaginative, cross-cultural soundscapes. "Chateau Benares," in which East again coalesces with West in ways that sometimes border on the hypnotic, follows suit.
The Indian-born, Virginia-based Mishra draws on a wide variety of guests this time around, including tabla player Samir Chatterjee and turntablist DJ Logic, to create a path that extends from traditional microtonalism to contemporary hip-hop grooves and electronica. Yet even when exploring more contemporary tacks, Mishra likely will not disappoint longtime followers. DJ Logic's contributions on "Logical Journey," for instance, are clearly designed to complement the guitarist's melodic flair and the album's ambient thrust.
Still, nothing rivals the mostly acoustic ballads as far as sheer lyricism is concerned. Particularly enjoyable is the pairing of "The Ladywith the Flowers" -- featuring Barun Kumar Pal on hansa veena , an Indian slide guitar -- and "Since Then," distinguished by Steve Gorn's soulful flute. Another charmer, albeit a more courtly one, is "Oriental," a sparkling weave of melody and countermelody.
Given a little airplay, "Chateau Benares" should attract a lot of newcomers. It's easy to imagine fans of John McLaughlin, Michael Hedges and Kaki King being drawn to "The Gateless Gate," which finds Mishra vibrantly teamed with guitarist Keller Williams and percussionist Chatterjee. Whatever the album's commercial fate, Mishra's artistry and vision certainly deserve the exposure.
-- Mike Joyce
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