shammi pithia // paredolia e.p. [review]
When I heard Shammi was producing a new E.P. naturally I was stoked. The musician who crafted “Cinema for the Ears E.P.” and debut album “Audio Descriptive” was on his next venture.
His latest E.P titled “Paredolia” is composed of six tracks, each individually bringing a different story to the ears leaving the listener to find their own meaning of the music.
“Switch” introduces the E.P with a somewhat dark sound but 22 seconds in, the equation is balanced with the elegant Bansuri. Naturally these sounds wouldn’t work together but on this track they manifest a harmonious contradiction. As the director Shekhar Kapoor said “if you take contradictions away there would be no creativity.” As the Bansuri dances majestically with its dark bassline partner, the vocals of Rita Morar give it that defining human emotion.
This is soon followed by the title track of the E.P “Paredolia.” A beautiful track introduced by the humble piano married with deep bass and the constant thread that weaves the story of this record together – the Bansuri. It’s an excursion of the two instruments that does not need words to tell the story – the feeling it draws out says it all.
To counter the soothing vibes of the previous track, Shammi launches into “Thanks to a Busker” an Indo-Latino number with the help of the fabulous vocalists Ambika Jois and Ash King – a very romantic flamenco style track with funky bass lines, sexy guitar riffs.
On to the fourth track “Taareyan di Chaan” – meaning Shade of the stars is an abstract poetic song about longing to meet a lover sang in entirely in Punjabi. Japjit Kaur graces us with her gorgeous and elegant voice giving the track a contemporary yet folksy feel.
The penultimate track, “True” is one composed entirely of strings. The polite yet playful sounds of the Cello, Violin and Guitar really give that old fashion warm feeling to the track. It reminded me of some of the work done by Michael Giacchino on the TV programme LOST, really capturing the moments of happiness and truth – something Shammi does very well here – an unadulterated melt of sublime soundscapes.
Finally we come to a “Sweet Nothings (Phaeleh Remix)” – and what a way to end the E.P! Phaeleh, the Bristol based prolific producer has his way with “Sweet Nothings” as featured on the “Audio Descriptive” album. This is a track where the affable vocals of Japjit Kaur, Bansuri and the dark melodies of downtempo electronica melt together into a beautiful frenzy.
Shammi Pithia, has the ability to absorb the sights, sounds and influences around him and translate them to what we hear, giving each string, raga, chord, beat and baseline a purpose in the grand scheme of things. If you liked any of his previous work you will adore “Paredolia”.
Available to purchase from Amazon.co.uk | Juno Download
nada:brahma rating 4.5/5
Previews below:
dimmSummer presents: SUBcontinentalBASS
To all BASS-JEDIs … Landing on 5th of May is an epic compilation album on High Chai Recordings SUBcontinentalBASS. Combining 14 insane inter-galactic adventures striking the perfect balance between western grit and melodic eastern influence.
Following in the footsteps of High Chai’s signature ground-breaking compilations over the years, dimmSummer recruits ace talent from across the globe to craft exclusive material for this new offering covering dubstep, tropical, drumstep, & reggae.
“With another killa release, High Chai Recordings is well on its way to having its own distinctive musical language !!” Pathaan (Globetronica, BBC)
Included are bass music superstars that High Chai first broke onto the Beatport charts: FS (#4 Dec. 2010), B.R.E.E.D, Piyush Bhatnagar, Radiohiro, Alexis K, Nuphlo & Goonda, along with a fresh crop of upcoming talent sure to make bassbins rumble.
Listen to the sample mix below, I assure you this is going to be one album you simply cannot do without this year!! …
TRACKLISTING:
- Naz :: Saawariya
- Liquid Stranger :: Fist of Fury
- FILMI :: Hinduistics (FS Remix)
- Dubfi Soundsystem feat. Radiohiro and MC ZULU :: Make It Happen
- Nucleya :: In My Heart
- Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax :: NYC-2-India -feat. Delhi Sultanate
- Sabbo :: Come to Me
- Kush Arora :: Time Runner -feat. Shamik
- B.R.E.E.D :: Gravid
- Nuphlo :: Soul Safari
- Piyush Bhatnagar :: Rhapsody
- Ketz – Yaadein -feat. Rita Morar
- dimmSummer :: dreadSpace
- Alexis K :: Somniloquy
UPDATE: Nasha Records: Fundraiser4PakistanFloodRelief
Please do make your way to this event – Promises to be a cracking night!
As part of the flood relief efforts, Nasha Records have teamed up with The James Caan Foundation to host an exclusive night of eclectic musical flavours.
A legendary line-up of the original artists that hailed the term ‘ The Asian Underground’, come together for the first time in over 10 years. Mercury Music Award winner Talvin Singh headlines the event, alongside DJ Krust (Full Cycle), dubstep DnB producers The Nasha Collective, State of Bengal, Pandit G (Asian Dub Foundation) and many more.
The event is hosted by BBC’s Bobby Friction with Shahin Badar (Prodigy’s – Smack my Bitch up) performing live.
Taking it back to where it all began, its birthplace in London’s East End, the team will be bringing together soulful sounds, heavy breaks and the alluring Eastern Soundscapes that emerged from the legendary Blue Note in Hoxton and transcended worldwide.
Defining politics and boundaries and with one common objective – raising money for the Relief Efforts, the event will once again go down in musical history.
Event to include raffles and great prizes,
All proceeds go to all proceed’s and donations go towards THE PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF
http://www.thejcf.co.uk/ (The James Caan Foundation – BBC’s Dragons Den Investor)
TIME:
GIG ALERT: Nasha Records: PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF FUNDRAISER
People, In aid of the Pakistan Flood Relief, Nasha Records are holding a fundraiser gig. All proceeds and donations will be going to the Relief.
Nasha Records have called upon friends to make this one heck of a night – with a STELLAR line up!!
DETAILS:
A fantastic way to help out and do you bit plus experience wiked sounds!!