ANCIENT GATES

As I mentioned in other High Tide reviews , the SPM label releases are of doubtful origins (they are legit releases but the recording sesssion dates are blured on puropse as to exploit a maximum of releases) , but out of the seven records released over a two years span , this is obviously the most worthy of interest.

We have here one of the better example of Indian classical music influences integrated into rock. I mean by this that most rock groups investigating Indian music actually try to emulate the music by taking on the endemic/specific instruments and play out Indian music. Embryo, Quintessence and so many more end up making Indian music made by Caucasians which generally sounds awkward to my ears but also to most Indians. Not so in this case. This is a High Tide album with it's definitive sound and their usual instruments but clearly the Indian music plays an inportant role especially in Hill's guitar solos as the band is outon a typical raga beat, but we stay in the rock realm although there is a fair bit of improv. There is a superb Indian singer Sushi Krishnamurthi on two tracks and this also does wonder to add up flavor to the music.

Peter Pavli only appears on the first track (Resonance) which is clearly out of context from the rest of the album. The rest of the tracks are all 15 min+ of great improv raga! A real joy to listen and for once the recording quality is real , although still not perfect! One of the best example (if not the best) of integration of Indian music into ROCK music.