Barsaat

First of all, you need to establish exactly which Musafir this is, as there's been some confusion. This band has now released two albums on Blue Flame, as opposed to the one of another label, which now goes under the moniker Maharaja Flamenca. This particular bunch is strongly based in Rajasthani folk music, but don't exactly limit themselves. Along with the traditional instruments of harmonium, table, sarangi, and flute, not to mention the tablas played by leader Hameed Khan, they throw in clarinet and mandolin, as well as a collaboration with world fusionists Transglobal Underground on "Ali Mullah" -- no being stuck in the ancient mud for them, then. In fact, it's the spirit of adventure that's the real motivation, whether on a sarangi solo or on the wonderful epic of "Balamji," a traditional harvest song where singer Barkat Khan gets to shine with some incendiary, swooping vocals. Musafir offer all the colors and styles of Rajasthani music, in all its glory -- past and present. ~ Chris Nickson|