This debut as a leader by pianist/multi-instrumentalist/composer Mariah Parker (who performs regularly with the trendsetting world music collective Ancient Future) unveils a collection of eight original instrumental scores. Labeled as an Indo-Latin jazz musical experience, Parker and friends blend the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms resulting in first-class world music. Intriguing melodies that draw musical inspirations from the tempos of Brazil, Cuba, India, and Spain make for an uplifting serene yet passionate musical journey into an ideal world.
Contributing to this production are Matthew Montfort (a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar); woodwind virtuoso Paul McCandless, Kash Killion (bass/multi-instrumentalist), Mindia Devi Klein (bansuri/flute), Anuradha Pal (the world’s premiere female tabla player), Duru Demetrius (Latin percussion), and Debopriyo Sarkar (tabla/percussion). Standouts include the opening track Waterwheel, the title track Sangria, Debajo de la Lluvia, and Tenth Journey.– RM