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All India Radio, "Permanent Evolutions"

All India Radio are not Indian and they are not to be confused with the Indian radio station. In fact they are an Australian electronic band, but its always great to hear that South Asian music and culture is inspiring music artists everywhere. Permanent Evolutions is in many ways a reflection of a new Global South Asian sound that captures an essence that is quite different from South Asian music that was being produced a few decades ago.

All India Radio

This album has the All India Radio ambient signature—it's totally chilled and with a subtle yet distinct Indian sound in most but not all tracks.The sounds are blended perfectly. The album goes back and forth from lighter easy on the ear tracks to some darker sounds.Most tracks are a rising a falling mixture of tablas, sitars, bass guitar, drums working seamlessly on a base of what sounds like an electronic keyboard.

"For Angel" is the only track with vocals and lyrics, its beautiful, romantic and sad.The female vocal is a mesmerizing and captivating and plays well with the lovely and subtle sitar."Pray to the TV Funk" picks up the album towards the end.It’s a culmination of sounds that could almost be danced to, but the best thing is the (Spanish I think) guitar rhythm and violin base that keeps this track going right to the end."Delhi Dub" is like Clint Eastwood and Talvin Singh vying over who’s going to get the rickshaw driver first.At under two minutes, this track is a masterpiece starting off in the sinister Wild West but is soon joined by quick drum beats and that distinct head-bopping dub beat. I would have liked to have heard where this track might have lead to but it's cut too short.  

Permanent Evolutions is a deep and intelligent compilation, bringing together many experimental sounds and influences that let the mind wonder beyond borders.It is total relaxation and a billion thoughts all at the same time.

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