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Reviews Read Press Coverage..>
Goddess
Baluji Shrivastav’s concept album tales us on a musical exploration celebrating female deities around the globe. With it’s extensive liner notes bringing us stories from India, West Africa, the Caribbean, the Far East, Hawaii and the Artic, this CD is as much an introduction to various ways female deities are worshipped as it is to several Indian instruments that are often neglected in both recordings and live performances. Baluji’s talents as a sitarist are well know. What is perhaps less appreciated is his ability to play other instruments. Among them is the surbahar (bass sitar), which makes its presence felt in the haunting sounds of ‘Journey to Sedna’. Another is the bulbul tarang, an Indian banjo, comprising a set of drone and melody strings that Baluji employs on ‘ Guan Yin’, relating to the goddess worshipped by the Buddhists and Taoists in China and South Asia….…most of the tracks are gently paced, hypnotic….“Dance Of Erzulie” an ode to the Haitian Goddess of Love, has a joyous folksy airy feel. Songlines Review July 2010
North Indian Classical -
From the expressive opening phrase of the very first number Baluji stamps his authority
on every note of this lovely recording…..his music has acquired a notable immediacy…What
he does here -
The Scotsman 30th March 2007
…..Baluji Shrivastav….is said to be a master not only on sitar but on the surbahar (bass sitar) and dilruba (another stringed instrument) and judging by the five undeniable charming ragas, he most probably is. The pieces are all enchanting, intricate and lush..
Jeff Tamarkin, Global Rhythms, October 2007 , Leading US World Music Magazine
All the initial compositions of the raga performances are by Baluji himself and they are notable in part due to his exploration of more unusual ragas…. the playing is excellent all the way through.
Songlines, issue 45 July/August 2007, Maria Lord
Live
This Indian music maestro, heard at the Edinburgh Mela, plays sitar, surbahar (bass sitar) and dilruba (fretted fiddle). His musical eclecticism has taken him into bands including Massive Attack, as well as recordings with jazzers Andy Sheppard and Guy Barker. Here, with Vishnu Sahai on tabla, he makes beautifully accessible a selection of classical ragas. Norman Chalmers, Scotsman on Sunday, 16th September 2007
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Jazz Orient Album Reviews
“Music to engage the mind , heart, and soul” …. Indian rhythms and percussion collide
with jazzy improvisation ……….Their music draws influences from European folk tradition
as well as jazz and the Indian sub-
Shrivastav has a way to integrate western hooks into ragas….it is the warmth and good humour of the basic trio and Shrivastav’s musical vision that make this album worth investigating”
Global Rhythm, USA, 2006 (Leading US World Music Magazine)
“Shepherd and Shrivastav produce fireworks!”
Songlines, UK 2006
“outstanding Indian classical musicians interact with jazz soloists for a veritable feast of sounds……..gorgeous melodies throughout. Lovely stuff.”
L.A. Daily News 2006
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