Multi-instrumentalist and composer Prem Joshua is considered a pioneer in the field of World Music. I have been reviewing Joshua’s groundbreaking synthesis of East and West since the mid-1990s, with Tales of a Dancing River, Hamsafar Y desert visions It is still among my favorites. I am delighted to tell you Taranga, Joshua’s latest CD.
taranga, which means “colorful waves of joy and enthusiasm” in Sanskrit, features captivating melodies on the sitar, bamboo flute, and soprano sax. Joshua’s compositions rise above the rhythms of the tabla as ancient Sanskrit and Sufi poems reawaken in the 21st century. And although Joshua draws inspiration from the deep wells of Eastern musical traditions, he has never lost touch with contemporary Western music. Over the years, he has continued to distill his incredible talent for fusion, blending meditative classical Indian ragas with highly intoxicating rhythms, creating music that seems to be at home anywhere in the world.
These are just a few of Joshua’s many accolades: He is now the number one selling World Music artist in India. The newspaper “The Times of India” has anointed him as the new “Fusion Guru”. In 2003, the BBC nominated him for their prestigious “World Music Listeners Award”, and in 2007 Joshua received the award for “Best Film Music on Indian Television” at the Indian TV Awards in Mumbai.
Joshua plays sitar, flute, percussion, drums, bass, soprano sax and handles some vocals. A host of excellent musicians add tabla, dholak (Indian hand drum), kanjeera (a small round drum covered in goatskin and surrounded by bells on its wooden body), cello, violin, keyboards, and much more. exquisitely produced, taranga It’s happy feet music for all ages, perfect for active meditation and movement, or just getting lost in the joy of the moment. I urge you to get to know Joshua’s delightful mix of East and West, you may even wish to collect more of his titles.
