India - Cafe Bombay (Chai, Chappattis, Rickshaws & Gurus) - Various Artists

Advantages: AMAZING CD AND BOOK
Disadvantages: none

...this is such a briliant cd and book guide. i would highly reccomend this to all indian musicians and people interested in studying indian classical music , specifically north indian aka hindustani music. it has a deep explanation of the basics of indian music so that you can truly appreciate the ragas (melodic structures) and talas (rhythmic cyles) and more features unique to indian music. the cds are also great as they are thoroughly explained in the book and you can even play the music on your western or indian instrument as the music is written in the book in western notation. the cds are not only great to listen to to learn the music side but are also great performances by some of the most distinguished artists in india.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: great music
Disadvantages: none

...this was such an amazing colourful exciting vibrant film and subsequently i would have been dissapointed if the music was not also exceptional. every song in this album is outstanding and is greatly crafted to suit the occasion style and originality. these are the songs that will never die and you can hear all the time be it in your car, on your mp3 player or at home. there are songs in it for every occasion - dance songs, classical, folk type, sad, romantic, etc. and there is something in it for everyone. if someone is new to bollywood this would be an ideal gift as it does, in a cd, summarise all the various genres of bollywood today. this cd is extremely original in that it takes things from the whole of india (rather than stealing songs from other films which is what happens in india! ;)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Voice, Lyrics
Disadvantages: A bit inconcistant aftet the interlude

......Introduction... I first heard of India Arie when I saw her on Later With Jools Holland when she released this album in 2001. She was born India Arie Simpson on October 3, 1975 in Denver Colorado, her father Ralph Simpson was an NBA Player and her mother Joyce was a former singer herself. India started having an interest in music at an early age and she pretty soon started learning to play various instruments. Though She is most well known for playing the guitar. She was discovered by a motown executive in 1999 and two years later released her debut album Acoustic Soul. ...India's voice... She has a great voice that has a substantial range allowing her to sing some great tender moments and then errupt in a fantastic almost gospel like chant. One of the best singers in her genre and similar to Lauryn Hill's more tender moments... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful