Search - Sulochana Brahaspati :: Raga Bilaskhani

Nimbus Sign Some Good Singers

02/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion this is not Sulochana's best (that is on Makar records, and has her singing a Bhairav raga), but it's still good. It may be that I simply prefer the compositions on the Makar CD. Her voice is soft, but not pop-ballad soft like Asha or Lata. Never shrill. Her khyal is unhurried, with slow meends. The Sarangi accompaniment by Sultan Khan, one of the top four players alive, is most soulful. Probably not the best disc to introduce newcomers to khyal music, but if you've developed an ear for it and you want to hear what the Rampur gharana is up to these days - buy. 3 stars from me is not bad; I would give 4 stars to her Makar CD, which I ADORE. But I like to retain the 5-star reviews for records that practically change lives. It deserves to be added that the obligatory Filler Piece (TM) on this item is a TAPPA, a rarely recorded song form from the Punjab (long taans right up yer nose) - which should have definite appeal with "world-music fans"."