Doroja

One of the most striking things about Baul music – a form of folk music from Bengal, South Asia – is its raw mysticism and adherence to otherworldly elements. When one successfully adds some unhinged percussion and intense instrumentation, it really goes off the rails: but in a good way.

That is precisely what Argentinian musician Santiago Córdoba has achieved by collaborating with the group Bauls of Bengal on his third album Doroja (Portal). He’s taken the simple, earthly songs and turned them into thought-provoking musical pieces. A palpable meditative vibe is also present as a subtle undercurrent throughout the record, peaking on ‘Ja Ja Tusu’ with the horn instruments emitting long, low notes as if they were chanting. There has been no dearth of experimentation, especially with diverse percussion. The lively, tribal-sounding ‘Tigres en Fuga’ is its epitome, with non-worded vocals and an infectious bassline spicing things up. The usage of a leguero (bass drum) really warped the compositions, giving them a doomy, psychedelic edge. It drives the hair-raising track ‘Manush Gache Ekbar’, which sounds like a neurotic call to the netherworld. Usually, Córdoba leaves the Baul compositions untouched – he simply bolsters them with different sounds and instruments. But sometimes, the fusion seems a bit confused – as if it hasn’t fully grasped the essence of Baul music.