I’ve been looking at footage from one of my India trips. It is really cool to see such an ancient culture full of surprises. I’ve also been putting music to the footage. One of the greatest sounds in India is the Bansuri….a wood flute that is masterfully handled by India masters. They are able to get bends and glides that just aren’t done in other cultures. This all with a simple flute with simple holes cut into it. Check out this sound here: http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/bansuri/
Yesterday I was working with a friend putting music to some footage I had shot in India on a trip a while ago. We were cutting edit changes to the beat. It was a tune from my Cd ”Grooves of India” ….the tune is called “Asham”. It is a piece of music that I wrote in 9 time. As you know most western music is in some variety of 3/4 or 4/4 time. India rhythms allow you to be very comfortable in all kinds of rhythms…..5, 7, 11, 17, 19 and even 9 3/5 time ( I actually composed a tune in that timing). All of this goes back to my studies with Harihar Rao. He is a great master of a teach from India. It was through him that I was able to meet and spend a fair amount of time with the great Ravi Shankar. Anyway….this tune ”Asham” is in various subdivisions of the beat…mostly 4 + 5. If you want to hear this tune…go here: http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/groovesofindia/
Two weekends ago I went to see a good friend of mine… Ed Perry. I met Ed years ago when he owned a studio in Hollywood (“Music Box studios”) . He owned that studio for about 15 years. He got tired of that and sold it. He tried a few other professions, like construction, plumbing, electrical work and wasn’t quite satisfied. He spent some time in Tijuana Mexico and decided to dedicate his life to a great cause. He started and now runs an Orphanage called “Los Angelitos”. I went down to see him and the 27 kids he is caring for. I was really touched by his work and fell in love with the great kids he has there. The kids range from 2 years – 18. All have come from pretty tough circumstances. The kids were so upbeat and loving. It was a joy to spend a couple of days with them. If you want to help a wonderful cause… please check out his web site: www.losangelitos.org. He depends entirely on donations from people in the US. I certainly plan to return soon and to help support such a great work.
Today I’ll be finishing up on the Cuba episode for the Exotic Worlds TV show. Cuba is such an interesting place. I was there in May and really felt the heat….both physically and musically. They really have some fantastic music there. I was able to record Son and Rumba music. Both of these styles have influenced latin, jazz and other styles of music.Rumba goes right back to West Africa with the slaves that were brought there. Son is the precursor to Salsa. Be sure and check out this music. Of course a great documentary to watch is the “Buenavista Social Club”….that was really well done. http://www.sonicsafarimusic.com/music/rumba/
I’m really fascinated with some of the musical instruments I’ve seen on my trips. Years ago I spent 2 years in Peru and was amazed at the wonderful sounds of the charrango. This is a tiny mandolin type instrument used in the highlands of the Andes. It has 10 strings…..5 sets of doubled strings. Sometimes the body of the instrument is the shell of the armadillo. The better instruments these days are made of wood. It really adds a shimmering effect and is an essential part of the music.Add the quena….a bamboo or wood flute and the zamponia…several tuned bamboo tubes and you have a great Peruvian sound.There’s lots of charango in this recording I did…. ”Andean Highlands”. It is really happy mountain music. Here’s the link to listen to some examples: http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/andeanhighlands/
