African Fantasy is an album by the Indian musician Trilok Gurtu, released in 2000.[2][3] The album was an attempt to meld Indian musical backing to African styles of vocalizing.[4][5] Gurtu was also inspired, in part, to create a "danceable" album.[6] Gurtu supported the album with a North American tour.[7]
| African Fantasy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2000 | |||
| Length | 55:12 | |||
| Label | ESC Blue Thumb[1] | |||
| Producer | Matt Howe, Trilok Gurtu | |||
| Trilok Gurtu chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editOumou Sangare and Angelique Kidjo sang on the album, as did Zap Mama's Sabine Kabongo and Gurtu's mother.[8][9][10][11] Gurtu wrote nine of the album's 11 songs.[12]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [10] |
| The Guardian | [14] |
The Washington City Paper called the album "a seamless but mostly not-too-slick meld of African and Indian traditional and pop styles, with a bit of jazz and a splash of circa-1978 Steve Reich."[15] The Birmingham Post stated that "traditional instruments like the sitar, harmonium and tablas are blended with synthesizer and the bouncy bass of Kai Eckhardt de Camargo—ancient and modern as one."[16]
The Guardian concluded that "the stronger tracks have a rhythmic propulsion and melodic flair reminiscent of the Zawinul Syndicate, while the worst sound like a bid for crossover radio-play appeal."[14] The New York Times determined that the songs "easily juggle multiple systems of rhythm, melody, structure and timbre... Those systems don't melt down to find some innocuous common denominator; instead, various approaches move in and out of the music's foreground, overlapping when it's possible and taking turns when it's not."[17]
AllMusic wrote that there are "striking juxtapositions, and there is some wonderful playing... But the concept of an Indian/African fusion remains a fantasy, at least in this execution of it."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rajasthan" | |
| 2. | "DJ Didgeridoo" | |
| 3. | "African Fantasy" | |
| 4. | "You Remember This" | |
| 5. | "Big Brother" | |
| 6. | "Folded Hands" | |
| 7. | "Old African" | |
| 8. | "Lisa" | |
| 9. | "Dinki Puriya" | |
| 10. | "Africa con India" | |
| 11. | "Big Brother Reprise" |
References
edit- ^ "Music: New Releases". Montgomery Advertiser. 27 July 2000. p. F13.
- ^ "Trilok Gurtu Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Trilok Gurtu". NPR.
- ^ Lavezzoli, Peter (April 24, 2006). The Dawn of Indian Music in the West. A&C Black.
- ^ Gregory, Andy (May 1, 2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. Psychology Press.
- ^ Dedolph, Meg (Apr 2000). "Dance calls". DownBeat. Vol. 67, no. 4. pp. 44–47.
- ^ Johnson, Martin (9 Nov 2000). "Also Around Town". Newsday. p. C5.
- ^ "An Indian in Africa". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022.
- ^ Williamson, Nigel (Apr 8, 2000). "The virtuoso". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 15. p. 53.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 42.
- ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (2 Nov 2000). "Gurtu plays to his own beat". The Province. p. B19.
- ^ Chapman, Geoff (19 Aug 2000). "Percussionist beats his biggest challenge". Toronto Star. p. AR13.
- ^ a b "African Fantasy". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Walters, John L. (10 Nov 2000). "On the edge". Friday. The Guardian. p. 25.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (November 10, 2000). "Trilok Gurtu". Washington City Paper.
- ^ Bacon, Peter (22 Apr 2000). "Jazz CDs". News. Birmingham Post. p. 7.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (15 Nov 2000). "Rhythmic Cycles of India Spiced with a Dab of Africa". The New York Times. p. E8.