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This is basically a solo project with composer and multi-instrumentalist Håkan Almkvist from Ensemble Nimbus. Here making a hybrid of psychedelic rock and oriental music, using traditional Indian instruments such as sitar, tabla, tanpura, santoor, along with electric guitars, bass, keyboards, samplers, percussion. The whole idea to mix his knowledge about Indian classical music and their instruments together with more rock established instruments and western music came into his mind after being asked to make a live performance on a cultural event about different Asian cultures in 1996. The arranger was expecting a quite young audience not familiar to and not patient enough for listening to pure Indian classical Raga music, so there was a need of more familiar elements in the music to pick up the attention. After making a few gigs with members of Ensemble Nimbus and some other musicians as the group Orient Squeezers, there was no permanent group playing the material after a while. Nevertheless he continued to compose and started more seriously to record tunes in the same style every now and than. By the end of 1998 there was enough material for a full length CD. In springtime of 1999 the CD titled "SADHU" was released. It's mainly influenced by north Indian classical music and many of the tracks are based upon different raga scales. Field recordings taken from a small Indian tribe living in the foothills of Himalaya has been used to strengthen the atmosphere throughout the entire record. It's a kind of homage to Håkans initial sitar guru and his disciple friend from Bangladesh. All the great response and so many good reviews were encouraging to continue making this kind of music. The tunes to the follow up CD titled "NAGAS" released in September 2000, was composed and recorded between July-99 and may-00. This time the inspiration did not come only from Indian music and scales but also by music from Egypt, Turkey and Indonesia (inspired by a trip to Bali where he was collecting environmental field recordings). The third release "NUBIA" made in 2001 is mainly influenced by Balkan, East European and North African music. Still you will hear hints of Indian and Far East music well known from the previous albums. This time stronger flavours of psychedelic and progressive music has been added, along with a wider spectra of instruments used than heard before. The whole album is highly inspired by a journey Håkan made to Egypt, visiting many ancient Pharaonic historical places. This is especially prominent in the pictures and layout of the CD. |
