bomble Posted December 5, 2001 Share Posted December 5, 2001 Kumba Mela Experiment - East Of The River Ganges Artist: Kumba Mela Experiment Title: East Of The River Ganges Label: Liquid Sound Design Date: 2001 Track listing: 01. 12'35" East Of The River Ganges (Mango In My Flute Mix) 02. 10'15" Elephant Trax (Hammer To The Nail Dub) 03. 10'58" Cleaning Fluid (Druids, Dreads And Sadhus Mix) 04. 03'53" Spiritual Journey (Mothers Milk Edit) 05. 07'54" The Kumba Mela (Himalayan Dub) 06. 05'20" Life After Death (Glass Key Dub) 07. 04'22" That Which I Could Only Sense (Phoenix Dub) 08. 07'04" Interstellar Hiss (Sky Is On Fire Dub) 09. 04'04" Be Conscious (Om Namai And Shiveye Mix) 10. 00'29" Outro (Don't WantTo Loose Your Love Dub Edit) Review: It's been a really good year for those of us who like quality chill - we've had the new Shpongle, Ooze, Mana Medicine, Nada Masala 2, Makyo's Yakshini and all sorts of other gems. This latest L.S.D release is no exception. In fact I think it is in contention for the top spot. Admittedly, Tales of the Inexpressible is music in another dimension, but for those who don't share the popular favourite then this might be what you've been waiting for. I personally love Shpongle's sound, so this is where comparisons stop and I'll get on with the review. This is a hugely creative album. There are a lot of people involved, but Youth is the common thread to all tracks. He's brought along friends from the Orb, Tangerine Dream, Suns of Arqa, Dreadzone and others. Lots of live instruments throughout plus a couple of appropriate vocals. This album keeps an experimental edge without disappearing into the land of the totally obscure. Uri Geller even makes an appearance. The album was conceived during the Kumba Mela - the worlds largest religious gathering which took place in India ... on the Ganges of course. Apparently internet connection was made, as well as a psychic one from Uri in order to experience the festival from afar. Essentially this sounds as if it was one of the craziest jam sessions one could imagine ... and after six months of tweaking in the Butterfly Studios this is the result. Every moment of this production is intricate and beautifully produced - there's never a 'filler moment' let alone a filler track. I caution anyone who doesn't like 1) Indian influenced music 2) Roots/dub 3) Trippy trippy samples ... that you won't like this either ! However if you like to take the journey - you like the dub trees/celtic cross albums or you just want to try something new then this is the one to get. I don't want to go into too much detail about the tracks - this review will get ridiculously long - but I really want to get across the splendour of this release as a whole. Briefly, track by track : 1) deep, mystical, eastern influenced, 2) funky, energetic & building, 3) dub & roots, blissed & tasting of Orb,4) check the Henry of Rawlinson sample probably the most amusing tune I've ever heard! 5) deep dub, full power dub trees style... oooooh!, 6) bit darker & slightly spooky - breaks & electro beats ..., 7) Indian & dub ...warm & psychedelic at the same time... total bliss !,8) crazy sample, big tough beats & trippy high frequency bits, 9) dub & roots style - sit back and sway ...,10) goodbye from Terence. I really love this album, and it's revealing more to me on each return. So many influences, so many artistic talents and yet one consistent vision. And not bent spoon in sight ! 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anoebis Posted December 5, 2001 Share Posted December 5, 2001 This cd (East of River Ganges) is a real masterpiece, specially number 1 & 5!! Some songs are a little too dub, but still 8,5/10!! (also very nice booklet) Bom Shankar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest djr00t[at]hotmail[dot]com Posted December 6, 2001 Share Posted December 6, 2001 I think this is one of the most chillest chillout i heard... spongle is best but after that i liked this track. and it kinda reminds me of when I used to go to Kumbh Mela when i was back home in india. That used to be one of the greatest open party of all time even though it was religious gatharing. I miss Bharat. any ways this cd is great. nice chill out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rx7style Posted December 6, 2001 Share Posted December 6, 2001 If you like ambient/chill-out, you'll love this album. Enough said. 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest [Anonymous] Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 It's professional, but I expected something really BRILLIANT from The Orb, Youth etc. It's just too standard. also the voice/MC samples are pretty annoying. 7/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest liarliar[at]shpongle[dot]com Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Woooooooooooow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Slidingtrancer Posted December 12, 2001 Share Posted December 12, 2001 I just bought this and my first impression is brilliant dub, evolving sounds echo pure emotions. I'm gonna go more in-depth when I will really listen to all trax and review this. My first impression is: Get this sucker, you can't go wrong. Magical icycles down my spine when the first song started. Thank you saddhus 9/10... a 10 is for the Gods and Shpongle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soem aeld Posted December 21, 2001 Share Posted December 21, 2001 Nice one. Youth does a good job as usual. It hasn't left my CD player for a while.. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller Posted December 27, 2001 Share Posted December 27, 2001 better than shpongle.. well it depend's of my mood.. BGM bloody good music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KakoOlalaJwal Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 Youth carried out a wonderful work with this "album"... I had already been smashed out by his other project "Dub Trees - Nature Never did betray tra la la......." But here we have even more citars, Orient-influenced sounds and melodies.... To sum up, an invitation to Voyaaaaage..... mmm, nice ! Okay, big up to U, See Ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha Posted February 22, 2002 Share Posted February 22, 2002 Two words: Awesome CD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeform Posted March 31, 2002 Share Posted March 31, 2002 Hmmm. This is a good cd, but it's not great. I find it kinda boring and all the vocal samples of people talking get in the way. I prefer the dub trees cd to this. 6/10 And this can't touch shpongle... no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the loyal sage Posted April 6, 2002 Share Posted April 6, 2002 the sitars or whatever that indian sounding insturment is sold it to me. Afterwards when i got home i listened to the whole thing and i find it pretty lousy. I'd like this CD if there were not so many people constently talking about random stuff. Maybe it's better if your on drugs, but i find the talking to be a little too much. The regge style samples are also not my style, i was hoping to hear a more indian sounding CD. This CD should be called East of the Country Jamacia. The only good track is #6 all others would be fantastic if i could only remove the talking the BOOM and bruce lee sounding WHAAAH! sounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Beach Bum Posted April 7, 2002 Share Posted April 7, 2002 good album, but as noted previously. where is benares? there are no indo -gangetic sounds here.. what is it with all the western producers of the world.. they think indian classical means table, flute and a hint of sitar... i would say the music is good, but it should have had a different title... for example, himalayan dub (i expected this to be in a similar vein as moty kailash songs, but this one does not raise any such sounds... that aside, this is a cool chill-out album, the first track is the strongest and definitely kicks some serious ass... the rest is also very listenable.. i would recommend it as a purchase but do not expect it to be indo heartland music, if thats what your into listen to some ravi shankar, chaurasiya, ustad zakir hussain etc (all hindustani classical) ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dl12345[at]anaustralian[dot]com Posted April 16, 2002 Share Posted April 16, 2002 This recording is a the result of a merging of musical influences and held together by a common thread of asian and dub elements. "east of the river ganges"...is, after all..heading towards the carribean! Neverthless it is a fusion album which is heavily electronic with an organic sound..a little like KLF meets Loop Guru and Jam & Spoon It is funky, danceable and yet meditative. I like it..it isn't the best thing in my collection and it is difficult to categorise..having said that I can always sell it in a few years time when and if I tire of it!! Then again it could become a classic..hopefully not like aphex twin stuff gets the nod...principally because it is weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest --==MileS==-- Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 Its the -Are U Shpongled?- among chill compils imo...Essential 10/10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest funkedelifusion Posted June 6, 2002 Share Posted June 6, 2002 words are not enough to express this release!great stuff from liquid sound design!!everyone who likes quality chilly-dubby tracks must have this cd! peace!9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest encarta Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 east of the river ganges would take you to china or tibet if you stretch your geographical limits... to get to the carribean would take you west of the river... that is why we call people from asia eastern and europeans western.. comprende? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest n0n[at]gmx[dot]net Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 ...what a great trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fukka[at]hotmail.com [dot]au Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 I love the cover..great to slice some ice..you get da drift..i luv the trip..take me easterly..floating down da ganges..dead or alife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abasio Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 East of the River Ganges. I didn't really like it at first. (Not really surprising with me.) But over the years I have come to like it more and more. It's such a journey, such a trip! Very beautiful sounds layered on top of really trippy sounds which seem different every time I listen to this. A quality release from Liquid Sound Design again. I'd love to see more conceptual pieces like this. If you haven't already heard this give it a try. If you already have, give it another go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemmiwinks Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 yep this was (and still is) one of the finest chill out CDs I own. And the track Life After Death... oh... my... God... it still brings shivers down my spine when I listen to it. 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drosophila Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 yep this was (and still is) one of the finest chill out CDs I own. And the track Life After Death... oh... my... God... it still brings shivers down my spine when I listen to it. 9/10 586674[/snapback] I agree with u guys, just one thing that has bugged me a bit about this album is that a many of the tracks has been released on VA's, but still if u look isolated at the album it brings me happieness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattMan Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Got this one today.. I really want to love it, but I just really can't - to the fullest that is. The MC / Reggea / Carribean samples are absolutely horrible, and they destroy every track they're on. Tracks 1(even though it's ruined at the end) 5 (this one is REALLY good) ,6 and 8 are really good, the rest are not even OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simorq Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Oh man this is such a badfuckingass album!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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