Crossing Roots

Nineteen years ago, Spanish flamenco guitarist Manuel Delgado and German guitarist Ralf Siedhoff teamed up with South Indian Karnatic musicians in an innovative experiment and we finally have an album to hear the resulting collaboration. And it is an album of warmth, beauty and colour. Many tracks are a blend of resonant guitars underpinned by a beguiling and prominent mridangam alongside South Indian percussion instruments. There are the complex rhythmic patterns of the Karnatic tradition alongside unmistakably Spanish harmonies, and a gentle fluency and deftness of touch from all musicians, which is particularly impressive given the complex harmonic language and various rhythms across the album.

So while the majority of tracks are a vibrant and enthusiastic blend of guitar and percussion, ‘Saraswathi’ contrasts with the darker harmonies and resonant voice of South Indian vocalist Romani. ‘Behind the Mirror’ is probably the track that impresses most; it is a stunning harmonic and rhythmic fusion of South Indian and flamenco traditions overlaid with dextrous syllabic vocal improvisation. This is a wonderfully rich listening experience that impresses throughout (including a more overt tribute to the flamenco vocal tradition on the last track).