Ninth studio album
from award winning composer, DJ, social commentator and national
treasure.
It seems there's not
much Nitin Sawhney can't do. And what he does do, he does very well.
Never one to shy away from big themes, for his latest studio album he
subtly explores the prejudice and embittered viewpoint of fictional
character Donald Meaning via 11 songs interspersed with spoken word
passages from Meaning, expertly played by Sawhney's friend, the actor
John Hurt. (The pair met as a result of Hurt narrating for Human
Planet, the BBC series scored by Sawhney).
The music ranges from
the bluesy soul of “The Devil And Midnight”, complete with vocal
from Yolanda Quartey to the sadly reflective “I'm Done” featuring
Hannah Peel. It's the raga influenced music featuring Indian
instrumentation where the album truly shines, as on the virtuoso
sitar and groove of “Kite” and the mournful flute of “Daydream”.
Meaning is presented as
a fully rounded person, embittered though not without likeability and
redeeming characteristics. It's a timely and much needed reminder
that understanding and common human ground is an area we need to
explore rather than blaming scapegoats. A fine and thoughtful album,
sadly in danger in being drowned out by rhetoric from all points on
the political spectrum.
Click here for Nitin
Sawhney's official website.
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