[Also reviewed on Epinions and Dooyoo]
Nitin Sawhney is an Indian-British musician/producer and Prophesy is his 5th album [2001]. The writing on the album sleeve questions whether the materialistic "developed" world is superior to the more spiritual "developing" world, ending with the line ... Read review
Asian artist Sawhney has always dealt in musical fusions, andProphesy, his fifth album, is ... more
his most ambitious yet. It became a worldwide odyssey, recording the words and beats of everyone from Nelson Mandela to a Chicago cab driver. He went to Madras t...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Asian artist Sawhney has always dealt in musical fusions, and Prophesy, his fifth album, ... more
is his most ambitious yet. It became a worldwide odyssey, recording the words and beats of everyone from Nelson Mandela to a Chicago cab driver. He went to Madras ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Prophesysubtitles itself a "visual album" and that's a pretty accurate description. It ... more
consists of images shot in India, Australia, the USA, South Africa and England to accompany the tracks on Nitin Sawhney's fifth album, which was released in 2001. While not as universally praised as its predecessor,Beyond Skin, it still shows Nitin Sawhney to be an innovative songwriter and accomplished musician with an ability to mix and match musical styles from around the globe. This release marries images to the music while developing the album's underlying theme of the power of technology.The visuals vary from the rapid juxtaposition of imagesą laPhilip Glass'Koyaanisqatsion tracks like "Sunset" to more straightforward performance pieces, such as "Ripping Out Tears", which includes a rap from Pinky Tuscadero over distorted guitars and beats. The mellower "Moonshine" features the work of dancer Akram Khan filmed at the Palace Theatre in London. On other tracks the images form a more coherent narrative, as in the reflective "Acquired Dreams", with vocals from Natacha Atlas. Sawhney's global political message about over-reliance on technology is forthrightly put, but in essenceProphesyis a collection of beautiful images which provide both a backdrop to the music and a comment upon it.On the DVD:in addition to the images there is also a "Talking Album", which is essentially a repetition of the album but with interviews from collaborators and influences incorporated. There's also a section entitled "Around the World" containing acoustic versions of "Sunset", "Prophesy" (three times!) and "Moonrise", plus a slide show photo gallery over the track "Breathing Light". The promo video for "Sunset" is also included. The picture quality is good, as is the sound and the whole package is well presented. --John Whiddett
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Prophesysubtitles itself a "visual album" and that's a pretty accurate description. It ... more
consists of images shot in India, Australia, the USA, South Africa and England to accompany the tracks on Nitin Sawhney's fifth album, which was released in 2001. While not as universally praised as its predecessor,Beyond Skin, it still shows Nitin Sawhney to be an innovative songwriter and accomplished musician with an ability to mix and match musical styles from around the globe. This release marries images to the music while developing the album's underlying theme of the power of technology.The visuals vary from the rapid juxtaposition of imagesą laPhilip Glass'Koyaanisqatsion tracks like "Sunset" to more straightforward performance pieces, such as "Ripping Out Tears", which includes a rap from Pinky Tuscadero over distorted guitars and beats. The mellower "Moonshine" features the work of dancer Akram Khan filmed at the Palace Theatre in London. On other tracks the images form a more coherent narrative, as in the reflective "Acquired Dreams", with vocals from Natacha Atlas. Sawhney's global political message about over-reliance on technology is forthrightly put, but in essenceProphesyis a collection of beautiful images which provide both a backdrop to the music and a comment upon it.On the DVD:in addition to the images there is also a "Talking Album", which is essentially a repetition of the album but with interviews from collaborators and influences incorporated. There's also a section entitled "Around the World" containing acoustic versions of "Sunset", "Prophesy" (three times!) and "Moonrise", plus a slide show photo gallery over the track "Breathing Light". The promo video for "Sunset" is also included. The picture quality is good, as is the sound and the whole package is well presented. --John Whiddett
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Very diverse, multi cultural album. The Breathing Light track. Disadvantages: Maybe overambitious. Tracks are hit and miss.
...is an Indian-British musician/producer and Prophesy is his 5th album [2001]. The writing on the album sleeve questions whether the materialistic "developed" world is superior to the more spiritual "developing" world, ending with the line "I guess we make our own prophecies". This is the theme of the album, questioning whether technology is actually overrated in making countries more developed.
The album ... ...Nitin. Some tracks are simply interviews with different people across the globe. It is impressive to have Indian, hip hop, Arabic and African influences all contained in one album. The problem is that the album lacks cohesion, jumping from one world style to another. Attempts at fusing different styles together, for example drum n bass samples, arabic vocals and then jazzy rhodes in the track Acquired Dreams, are a bit hit and miss.
[Also reviewed on Epinions and Dooyoo] Nitin Sawhney is an Indian-British musician/producer and Prophesy is his 5th album [2001]. The writing on the album sleeve questions whether the materialistic "developed" world is superior to the more spiritual "developing" world, ending with the line "I guess we make our own prophecies". This is the theme of the album, questioning whether technology is actually overrated in making countries more developed.
The album consists of a diverse range of guest artists collaborating with Nitin. Some tracks are simply interviews with different people across the globe. It is impressive to have Indian, hip hop, Arabic and African influences all contained in one album. The problem is that the album lacks cohesion, jumping from one world style to another. Attempts at fusing different styles together, for example drum n bass samples, arabic vocals and then jazzy rhodes in the track Acquired Dreams, are a bit hit and miss.
Traditional world styles without fusion work much better, such as the Algerian "Moonrise" track, or the Indian tabla "Prophesy" track. The two exceptions are the Indian infused "Sunset" and "Breathing Light" tracks.
Breathing Light is a standout track on the album for me, fusing a drum n bass beat with a beautiful piano and string melody, interspersed with an Indian flute.
This is an interesting, diverse album worth checking out if you have an open mind, but some of the tracks just don't work and fail to engage.
Product Information for "Prophesy - Nitin Sawhney" »
Product details
Title
Prophesy
Performer
Nitin Sawhney
Genre
Rock & Pop
Release Date
18/06/2001
Recomended Retail Price
10.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2001
Label / Distributor
V2 / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
5033197159126
Additional notes
Album Notes
Fifth album from multicultural fusion artist Nitin Sawhney. Made up of samples he recorded around the world and a myriad of styles from Indian classical to flamenco to rap- metal. Features over 200 musicians including Natacha Atlas, Cheb Mami, Terry Callier, Trilok Gurtu, flamenco star Jose Miguel Carmona and Smoke City's Nina Miranda.
Titles on disc 1
1.
Sunset
2.
Nothing
3.
Acquired Dreams
4.
Nothing More
5.
Moonrise
6.
Street Guru (part 1)
7.
Preacher
8.
Breathing Light
9.
Developed
10.
Footsteps
11.
Walk Away
12.
Cold And Intimate
13.
Street Guru (part 2)
14.
Ripping Out Tears
15.
Prophesy
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
09/07/2001
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