TARUNA: “WORLD FUSION 3” -review by Neerav of Interchill Records
Welcome to the 21st century my friends, where life on Planet Earth is not what our ancestors might have expected it to be, and things get a little bit crazy at the best of times! Thankfully there’s music; beautiful healing music; and one shining example of this is Taruna.
His latest cd (the first release under the new label Shaman Records) completes the World Fusion Trilogy. Fans of Taruna’s first two cd’s know just what to expect: cutting edge psy-ambient electronica blended with traditional ethnic instruments from all over the planet!
Most ‘World Music’ albums go in one or two directions, such as Afro–Latin, or Indo-Arabic. “World Fusion 3” goes in all these directions as well as taking us to Bali, then up to the Himalayas of Tibet, and on to China. From there it dives into the deep forest of the Amazon to visit the wisdom of the Shamans. All in all, you’ll find over 100 ethnic or percussion Instruments used on this album, plus a healthy variety of electronic and virtual Instruments.
The tracks are presented in a variety of tempos ranging from danceable grooves to more chilly sounds, and the title of the release gives us Taruna’s stated mission: to bring out a real “Fusion” of cutting edge technology with ancient traditions (combining modern electronic sounds with the purity and beauty of the vibe from ethnic instruments). In that sense this release succeeds quite brilliantly. Indian tabla and sitar meld with jazzy riffs, psychedelic synth lines and grooving rhythms with the greatest of ease. It’s almost like having a virtual magic carpet at your disposal that can take you almost anywhere in the world (musically speaking).
And whether it’s in this life or past, Taruna’s obviously done his fair share of traveling the globe, as his ear for various world sounds is impeccable. About 2000 hours (over a period of one and half years time) went into producing this cd, and it shows; the music is so rich, so textured with details that it truly takes several listens before the meanings start to unfold.
Throughout the journey, messages and vocal samples are positive and thought provoking in nature, giving a sense of hope and inspiration to the listener. The music is at times playful and innocent, at others more serious. When it comes to creating an ambience that walks the fine line between child-like wonder and worldliness, Taruna is right up there with the best of them. The serious aspects of the music give it depth while the innocence keeps it feeling fresh. Like water and sunlight, they work together in a synergistic way, nourishing the unfolding of the lovely organic sounds presented here.
‘So’, you ask, ‘Who will like this album?’… In my humble opinion, I would say: fans of psy-ambient (Entheogenic, Shpongle, Eat Static, etc.); fans of electronic world beat (Gaudi, early Banco de Gaia); and finally the Spiritual/ Yoga/ New Age crowd (fans of Angel Tears, Deep Forest style sounds, etc.).
In conclusion, this is a truly rewarding release. The packaging is a delight to the eye, and musically speaking it is rock solid. It is perhaps the subtlest out of three World Fusion’s, but it gets better and better with every listen (try it on headphones!); furthermore, the tracks all flow together, and it has lasting appeal. To quote Taruna (Jürgen Eppinger) himself: “Music is an International Language beyond Borders.” And if music can bring more harmony to this Planet, that can only be a good thing!
If you’re looking for sounds that can create a space that is simultaneously full of peace and delightful energy, and a bridge between the spirit of the ancient and the modern, “World Fusion 3” is most definitely the cd for you.
