I love the way they improvise Indian and Western music ... the nuances of it are truly mind-blowing...
Some of their best compositions according to me:
1. Bhor
2. Bandeh
3. Ma Rewa
4. Jhini
5. Kandisa
About the band:
Indian Ocean is a contemporary fusion music band from India. Some music critics describe the Indian Ocean music as "Indo-rock fusion with jazz-spiced rhythms that integrates shlokas, sufism, environmentalism, mythology and revolution".
Members:
Susmit Sen (acoustic guitar)
Susmit has virtually invented a new style of playing the guitar, an uncannily Indian sound where purity of scale reigns, strong melodic lines woven around the drone of open strings. His guitar style forms the basis of Indian Ocean's unique sound. Susmit’s personal vision is towards finding a new vocabulary for his music. His virtuoso talent never overshadows the big picture, but serves the song immaculately, strengthening it, embellishing it, giving it a distinct character.
Asheem Chakravarty (tabla, percussions & vocals)
Asheem showed his rhythmic spark at an extremely early age, amazing musicians who learnt that he never had any formal training. Indian Ocean fans call him “the man with the golden voice”. Amazingly, Asheem sings and plays the tabla simultaneously with remarkable clarity and ease, a difficult feat almost never achieved by Indian percussionists. Asheem’s rhythm structures are uniquely his own, contributing in large part to Indian Ocean’s signature sound, while the melodies he creates are wonderfully different. He loves improvising vocal lines on stage. He plays traditional Indian percussion instruments in completely innovative ways. Asheem was Brought up in an atmosphere of Indian classical, folk and other Indian forms.
Amit Kilam (drums, percussions & vocals)
Amit’s drumming is a strange balance between the conventional and non-conventional. Largely self-taught, he believes in layering rhythm rather than a heavy drum layer, since he believes in simplicity, not technical wizardry, thus becoming the backbone of the solid sound that the band has. He incorporates Indian rhythms into his drumming in a unique fashion, moving in cycles of 8, 10, 12 14, 16, rather than simple 4/4 or ¾ styles. Not a “psychotic drummer”, he goes easy on the skins, yet his playing is very dynamic. Was introduced to music at the age of 4 by his parents, learning the guitar (hawaian - Indian classical). He is an instinctive musician, picking up several instruments very easily, and he sings also. Loves listening to various kinds of music – Hindi filmi, rock, pop – favorites are A R Rahman, Trilok Gurtu and Deep Purple.
Rahul Ram (bass guitar and vocals)
His experiences as an activist/supporter with the Narmada Bachao Andolan (1990-1995) and while doing his PhD in Environmental Toxicology from Cornell University(New York) (1986-90) have strongly influenced his musical expression. Rahul’s bass playing moves smoothly – from melodic enmeshing with vocal and guitar lines to the more standard laying of foundations over which the band soars. His riveting stage presence is an essential part of Indian Ocean’s electrifying live concerts. His vocals have a raw power, an uncompromising edge that emphasizes the folk roots of the band. Rahul also ends up doing most of the talking at live shows. His experiences as an activist/supporter with the Narmada Bachao Andolan and during his four years studying in the US have exposed him to a variety of musical styles from all over India and the world, and have strongly influenced his musical expression
Bandeh by Indian Ocean
Here's a glimpse of their talent .. song called "Bandeh" in the movie Black Friday which had Indian Ocean's music. Be sure to hear all the nuances of their style ...
Credits:
Images - Indian Ocean - The Official Band Website : http://www.indianoceanmusic.com/
Information - Wikipedia - Indian Ocean: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean_(band)
Punit Vora for exposing me to their wonderful talent live in concert in Urbana-Champaign.
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