Broken English

Percussionist Karsh Kale has done some fine solo work in his career, but this album finds him jumping to a new level. While his South Asian heritage continues to be a major element of his sound (he plays dhol and tabla as well as drum set and various computer rhythm programs), his New York upbringing plays an even more important role. When he combines hip-hop with electric guitars and Asian percussion on the title track, it sounds natural and organic -- not like a self-conscious exercise in electro-exotica. When he moves into pop song territory, as on the lovely "Dancing at Midnight," the result is every bit as natural-sounding even though it's a completely different approach. And the aptly titled "Beautiful" is almost impossible to pigeonhole; it wears a deep rhythmic complexity very lightly and charmingly, and is almost as much fun to sit and listen to closely as it is to dance to. "Drive" is curiously lacking in energy, and "Some Things Are O.K." is just OK, but overall this is one of those rare albums that combines deep musical intelligence with seemingly effortless pop appeal. It's difficult to imagine anyone not falling under its spell. ~ Rick Anderson

アメリカ～インドに跨がって広がるエレクトロニック・ミュージック・シーン〈エイジアン・マッシヴ〉の中心的存在であるタブラ奏者／トラックメイカーの新作だ。これまではオリエンタルなトランス寄りのサウンドを指向してきた彼だが、今回はヴォーカル／ラッパーを多数招いた彼流のポップ・アルバムといった趣き。タイトルは〈片言の英語〉の意味で、〈インド系アメリカ人の視点から作られたNYのサントラ〉といった性格も持つ。そのため、サウンドの構成要素は実に雑多。冒頭曲こそ懐かしいノリのヒップホップ・トラックだが、その後はモービー調あり、アンビエント・ダブあり、ロッキン・ブレイクスあり、ディープ・トランスあり……と、涙腺と腰を同時に刺激するような美曲が連発される。洗練とは無縁だし、味付けにもクセがあるが、その深くてキレのある味わいはかなり魅力的。今作のような作品こそ、幅広いリスナーに聴いてほしい。
bounce (C)大石 始