Global Village - Karunesh's next Fusion

Karunesh - the man who is responsible for making lounge music genre popular in India. The man who has earlier come up with brilliant albums like 'Sounds Of The Heart', 'Secrets Of Life' and 'Global Spirit' comes up with yet another lounge album 'Global Village' that is all set to mesmerize the listeners. A 'sequel' to Global Spirit, 'Global Village' has 9 tracks in total. Let's check it out to see if this is yet another addition to an impressive list of titles by Karunesh in his two decade old career.

1) Prayer Of Joy

Amazing! That's the first reaction that one has as soon as 'Prayer Of Joy' begins. Brilliant use of various instruments that mark a beginning to an excellently paced track is just one of the many factors that make it an intoxicating affair. Soon begins a male rendition in Sufi/Punjabi that is one voice to be heard for its rustic feel. The theme of the track is around 'ishq' and lives up to its expectations of being a true lounge number. It is surely on its way to be quite popular in the lounge circuits.

2) Orient Express

In comparison with 'Prayer Of Joy', 'Orient Express' is relatively slow paced. As expected the track has a oriental feel to it with a male vocal to support the tune. Haunting to say the least, it is a good western-oriental fusion that soon includes an Indian flute melody to it as well, hence making it an ultimate global fusion track. With an extended flute effect and some good accompanying music with it, its a nice journey while on board in the 'Orient Express'!

3) Earth Spirit

Its the flute again that forms the spine of 'Earth Spirit'. To add to the mystic of the track, there is an 'Enigma' effect to it as well, though with a much lesser haunting effect, with the overall result again turning into a global fusion. Justifying the title of the album as 'Global Village', 'Earth Spirit' is a good instrumental that has a long drawn electric guitar sound in the second half of the track that makes you go wow! One of the best tracks of the album so far.

4) Helele Ma

Sound of one instrument begins 'Helele Ma'. And then the second joins, and the second and the third and soon light calypso beats bring along a jungle feel to atmosphere. A number to which you could jive a little on a beach side party, it is good but then pales a little in comparison after hearing the first three tracks. 'Helele Ma' would be appreciated by those who love to hear calypso numbers.

5) Tranceformation

With 'Tranceformation', the album returns back to the kind of music that has made Karunesh a popular name in the lounge circuits. There is a new sound that Karunesh brings along in the track with effective usage of some unique instruments. There is a haunting male vocal that accompanies this moderately paced track, which again has flute playing a major role. A lively track, it is pretty enjoyable and makes you wonder if you could have friends over to have some good fun and frolic.

6) Arabian Heights

'Arabian Heights' - the title itself gives an indication that the track would have a Middle East flavor to it. But when it begins there is nothing 'middle-east' about it with typical 'Karunesh' kind of musical assortment. Just when you start wondering if you have been mislead comes a female voice that takes you into the heart of Arabian deserts. The haunting rendition brings with an authentic Middle East feel that is complimented well by the male voice that follows soon. At this juncture 'Arabian Heights' reaches the height of fusion music and you can't help but just admire the genius of Karunesh.

7) Beyond Heaven (Remix)

Sound of wind chimes begins 'Beyond Heaven' that literally has a heavenly feel to it in the way music has been orchestrated. Heavy bass beats follow soon that continue to build on the base created by the chimes. A slow yet moving instrumental that again demonstrates the power of flute which makes a big impact once again.

8) Om Namo

Gerhard Frankhauser is the voice behind 'Om Namo' that has a spiritual feel to it but is completely different from the expected rendition of 'Om Namah Shivay'! In fact the track belongs to world music and would be primarily appreciated by those who are in constant lookout for something unusual and non-contemporary. As like majority of tracks before this, this one too has flute being prominently featured in its entire duration.

9) Krishna's Song

From 'Krishna's song', one obviously expects a devotional outing and one realizes that this is indeed the case as soon as Shruti's vocals mark its beginning. There is a continuous aalap that comes for remains for more than a minute, which is followed by devotional lyrics.

'Global Village' is a must buy for the followers of lounge genre and even for those who haven't yet caught fancy for it yet, it is worth a try. Karunesh can comfortably call this album yet another success to his repertoire.

Album: Global Village

http://www.electronic-mp3.com/global-village/alb97430/

Excellent Didi I did listen to it before enjoyed it all the way.

Originally posted by: Thakur Saab

Here are the tracks from Global Spirit. This album was released in 2003.

Born in Cologne, Germany in 1956, Karunesh released his first album 'Sounds of the Heart' in 1984, which quickly became a classic in the New Age genre. More albums followed and Karunesh became established as one of the best known artists in that genre. He has lived in Maui, Hawaii since 1992 and his musical expression has expanded more and more into World Beat/World Fusion.

Songs from his world album 'Global Spirit' are featured on the Buddha Bar compilations and many more can be found in numerous world fusion projects.

But how does one define lounge music? Simply put, it is any music that is calm and laidback sans boundaries or limitations. It is one of those classy genres of music that originally used to be played in five-star hotel lounges. Karunesh was one of the very first to bring this form of music to India. He uses classical folk rhythms and fuses them with toned-down pop. Budha Bar, where the music is faster, has gained popularity over the past few months.

Karunesh

Call of the Mystic