Album: Rock the Tabla

Artist: HossamRamzy

Label: Times Music

World fusion is rare to hear and especially in the Indian subcontinent. And when world fusion comes from some great masters like HossamRamzy, A R Rahman and Phil Thorton, it is never to be missed and that too, for a good enough reason. This album is practically a proof of the same.

Rock the Tabla turns out to be a listening session of a blend of East meets West set of compositions. While on one hand, there are samples of some traditionally creative Egyptian percussion, on the other hand one can sample some melodious flute and Indian dhols.  The very first track Ancient love affairs gives one insight into the sounds of folk Egyptian instruments such as the darbuka and has a typical middle-eastern rhythm. Arbantana again has extensive use of percussion with some variables of guitar strumming. Billy Dancing has an exceptional rhythm and quick beats while Bluesy Fluesy is true to its title as it has a fusion of Egyptian folk sounds and the Western blues. The progression in the track is worth noticing. Cairo to India has the use of Hindustani Classical vocals and Indian folk instruments while Dom and Doumbia and Sawagy display at length the sound of Egyptian percussion instruments only. Shubra Agriatio and Six Teens have some rhytmatic drumming samples and Rock the Tabla which is the title track has some good use of middle-eastern beats to some undecipherable yet, enjoyable Arabic vocals. Lastly comes the much-anticipated track ‘This could lead to dancing’ which has the typical A R Rahman’s meticulously orchestrated violin and flute pieces in the bridge.

On the whole, this is not a deliberate attempt at fusion and neither can it be an average effort. For those who have been on the lookout for some music which has some honest appeal, this is just the right pick.