Review | Songlines

3

Top of the World

Rating: ★★★★

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:

Saagara

Label:

tak:til / Glitterbeat

January/2025

Saagara forge a fresh path through the well-trodden territory of East-West musical fusion. The group marry pulsating chip-tunes with poly-rhythmic percussion from the Carnatic Indian classical tradition. The electronic patterns that form the spine of each piece are minimalist in inspiration but maximalist in execution. The core motif of ‘God of Bangalore’ evokes the endorphin rush of an arcade machine anthem. ‘Sunbeam Spirits’ ups the audacity by unleashing a distorted clarinet solo over glitchy samples and driving ghatam (percussive clay pot). ‘Where is That Blossom’ displays a subtler touch, with languid violin lines leading the listener on a meditative journey. The group draw inspiration from Shakti, whose mid-1970s work remains a benchmark for East-West fusion. Instead of imitating, Saagara have innovated a compelling electro-percussive concoction. It is dense and disorientating but ultimately delightful.

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