KRIYA

Now try to imagine a combination of KING CRIMSON ("Beat-era") with Middle Eastern, Arabic and Indian music and you will not be far off describing the music of AZIGZA. This is total cerebral music complete with unique and killer ethnic percussion and ethereal strings . Musically this band combine a diverse set of world instruments with guitar, bass and electric violin. The end result is something you have definitely not heard before but am sure will simply love from start to finish. "Kriya" is essentially 6 ragas of instrumental beauty, each contrasting with an explosion of progressive rock and world genres and manage to explore unique ground in both texture and theme. For those looking for something very original, very professional and very tasty please pick this album up... amazing music.

Perfect album of world fusion , coming from US. Main strong point of music recorded is jazzy element. Whenever too often world fusion is a mix with world/folk music with some modern music elements (often rock or some jazz), there jazz element is a basis of all mix.

From another hand, world ingredients are very different, from Middle East to African to Indian. So, just imagine very energetic mix of all these traditions in music, played by jazz musicians. In a modern manner, with some prog rock elements. Here you have what is recorded on this album.

All ingredients are very rich and different, so music is very various - no chance any listener will be bored. Just note - this music is progressive world fusion, no jazz fusion, so possibly not every jazz purist could accept it.

Very recommended for great professional world fusion fans. Really 3,5!

I first heard this band on the ProgDay 2001 double disc I have and I was really surprised at how incredible these guys sounded.They are from San Fransisco, California and have a strong World music flavour which is why I was surprised that I liked it so much.There are instruments used that I haven't even heard of before, but this still has that Rock element, in fact these guys can bring it when they want to and that's what I love about them. KING CRIMSON has to be an influence when you here them let loose at times. So they're a four piece with lots of guests.This is very intricate sounding with some killer in your face bass. Everything is done so well.

"Ogun" opens with atmosphere as a stringed instrument comes in. It's building as the drums join in then male vocals. Love the guitar and chunky bass here.The percussion is excellent too. Everything is so intricate.

"Medicine" is an incredible track.It's spacey with male vocals that almost mumble along with female vocals melodies.The atmosphere and stringed instruments with the vocals are all so beautiful. It blends into "Wheel Of Bembe" then it becomes fuller sounding. Male vocals after a minute. Lots of drums and percussion here.Violin after 1 1/2 minutes then it stops after 4 minutes as they noodle about.

"Yaman" has these flute-like sounds then violin after a minute. It's building before 2 minutes then it settles back. Female vocals follow then the violin comes to the fore when the vocals stop. It picks up before 6 1/2 minutes with vocal melodies and an intense sound of guitar and drums. Huge bass lines too. "Orphans Of Agadir" is an instrumental that has an interesting rhythm to it.

"The Wall" has some Fripp-like guitar to open as the drums pound.Violin kicks in too. Cool track. "The Reminder" is one of my favourites. It has a similar sounding guitar and sound as the previous track except it becomes more powerful and intense. Incredible !

"Amalgram" is also a top tune for me.You can hear someone speaking to a crowd then sirens come in and other sounds. Percussion builds then other instruments join in followed by female vocal melodies. Great sound here ! Spoken female vocals come in. So freaking cool ! "A Bulgarian Suite" is led by the violin quickly as the bass and drums support.This is so impressive.The interplay is mind boggling.

"Shiva Calling" is very Eastern sounding. Male vocals 2 1/2 minutes in and female vocals follow. "X-Resolutions" has a KING CRIMSON vibe to it. Female vocals a minute in. Love the guitar after 4 minutes.Vocal melodies after 6 minutes. She's screaming out before 8 minutes. Amazing ! A change after 9 minutes with samples then it turns intense with sirens and more. A traditional Indian vibe takes over to end it as it calms right down.

This must be heard to be believed. With music like this AZIGZA should be much more popular than they are. Very close to 4.5 stars for this gem.