COSMIC EYE

Out of all the projects that have been lumped into the Indo-raga camp from the period of the late 60s to the early 70s, none displayed a more authentic and diversified approach as did Amancio D'Silva with John Mayer on their incredible project COSMIC EYE which not only took their jazz-rock fusion sensibilities to task but applied them to cross-pollinating possibilities of the then popular fusionist approaches in full regalia. While born in Goa, India, D'Silva eschewed his Indian origins and high-tailed into the world of Western jazz music however it's never quite possible to totally leave behind one's roots as they have a way of creeping their way into every possible fertile reawakening as is the case with D'Silva.

By 1969 the cross-cultural musical experience was pretty much mainstream with a legion of artists creating bridges between cultural differences. By 1972, the Indo-raga scene was in its highest potential with bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra taking the east-west paradigm to ridiculous extremes. The sitar was virtual just another rock instrument in some circles at this time so D'Silva decided to revisit his origins, having, of course, a legit connection to the both worlds at this point in his career. The project COSMIC EYE was the answer to this calling and on the one and only album DREAM SEQUENCE, he more than met the challenge in an effortless jazz meets Indo-raga exploration that takes two long tracks that equal an album into hitherto unexplored regions of this ensemble of ten musicians tackling an impressive range of musical terrain.

While segmented into two tracks for bookkeeping's sake, this is really an album of passages where each idea cedes into the next with only the cosmic journey into the unknown seems to dominate. While many Indo-raga bands of the day were content with mere jam sessions that consisted of just a few players, COSMIC EYE is more like an orchestra in its sheer scope of ten musicians that included the instruments of guitar, sitar, violin, flute, alto flute, bass flute, saxophone, bass, tabla and other drums. The result is a rich tapestry of what i would envision as bona fide Raga rock from the ages. While others disappoint, COSMIC EYE takes the listener on the real journey, one that really enters that timeless transcendental journey into the universe in a meditative state without a doubt that the pilot is incapable of the flight plan.

While the Mahavishnu Orchestra was probably one of the most successful and convincing bands to integrate the Eastern paradigm into a rock context, COSMIC EYE could possibly be the opposite as they successfully integrate a Western perspective into an Eastern dominant position. Granted that jazz is the Western genre of choice on this one however the juxtaposition between the jazz moments and the raga elements is beautifully performed with all ten musicians seamlessly lending their support to create an experience above and beyond the call of duty. While some bands were clearly stuck in the 60s at this point, COSMIC EYE channeled all of what was expected of the 60s and took them into the higher realms of musical development of the 70s. This is a brilliant jazz meets Indian music album that displays respect to both sides of the globe while creating interesting interplay that cedes into logical evolutionary steps. If you are seeking one of those authentic east meets west experiences of the era without the bombast or a lopsided dominance of one side over the other then COSMIC EYE is what you're looking for.

The fashion and the music that were derived from the latter half of the 1960s. Those elements and fusion were very remarkable in the U.K. in particular. rock which let you introduce folk if psychedelic is carried out by various bands. The music absorbs culture and the music of various countries and uses many it. rock in particular and the fusion of the Indian music become very remarkable at this time. There was really it to a lot of musicians who devoted itself to culture and a musical instrument. It is certain that it was practiced music established not the fashion that they are simple as process to create. If is psychedelic; fusion of folk and rock. Or the introduction of the Indian music was the part which a musician expressed all in one body. The known musician and band existed in the flow that practiced them to some extent as raga rock, but there will be the situation that a fan of the minority recognizes even now. Therefore existence of such a band and group may be always divinized. The name of Third Ear Band and Quintessence is known as a field of known raga rock to a fan of raga rock to some extent. However, each band would give creation of the original music as a nucleus by introduction of folk if the situation as those days of the latter half of the 60s was psychedelic. There was the part that, as a result, a part of rock was strongly reflected in such a band, but there is often the band letting I let you are stronger and reflect those elements and succeed as original music when what I find becomes more difficult. However, the creation of the music that this Cosmic Eye performed in the existence of the band which showed admiration of the Indian music not the fashion conspicuously must be the thing that is one of raga rock and the music that you should call definitely particularly. It is said that this band has the form such as the project as information. However, the creation of the music that the musicians who participated were united can feel that all practices some purpose and directional agreement. The band which carries out admiration and a purpose well in the band where a musician from India does not participate in will surely exist. However, directionality and the creation act well even if the musician who participated in this Cosmic Eye was a project. The form of the project that I listed as the said article can look at the form by the musician who participated. At first what I appointed Denis Preston which let you introduce Indian music into the situation of the music of this time as as a producer. And other musicians having been familiar with such a music in each activity to some extent. And the fact that let a musician from India really participate. And the member of the group of John Mayer and him who are active as a violinist. And existence of Viram Jasani known as a well-known fact well. His existence will be known by having participated in a performance of "Black Mountain Side" of Led Zeppelin as tabla player. However, Viram Jasani plays sitar in Cosmic Eye. And there is the information to say that Ana Da Silva of the guitar player from India played a role as the traction in this project. Or Keshav Sathe of the tabla player is to join the group of John Renbourn after having participated in this project, and the name is known. This album is still known as a valuable, expensive album in the own country. In vinyl in particular. It was precious existence announced alone in 1972 by Regal Zonophone, but the information will be gradually known now in those days. I can feel complete raga rock as general musicality. Furthermore, the performance may often present an aspect of jazz rock because a musician playing a vibraphone and a wind instrument exists. Musicality including Sitar and tabla. The division of mental part and ensemble. And lenience and severity of ensemble and raga rock such as jazz rock developed in sequence. A method of the effective disposal of violin and guitars in relation to those elements. Not only the fan of Raga rock but also fan of jazz rock and the psychedelic fan will be albums having the development that I can enjoy enough. "Dream Sequence" is established from 14 parts; is constituted, but those titles of a musical composition do not really become clear. The constitution to advance to without being divided from a beginning to the end while various melodies and constitution show a different aspect is wonderful. A part of opening raga rock by Sitar and tabla. And the melody that I introduced beat rock and fusion into. The flow has the free form by a vibraphone and the performance of the flute. Raga Rock often tempts a listener into the mental world. The atmosphere slightly felt an atmosphere like Alusa Fallax. The part which let you introduce a form of Raga Rock and jazz well. They may have the part reminding of some free jazz. However, the development I let jazz rock fuse well while having the respect for traditional Indian music, and to advance to will be wonderful. This album let you take in the situation of the then music well partially and would carry it out. I function as raga rock where a factor of the compromise is felt generally.