Sum // Parts

Toronto-based composer and percussionist Jani's debut album is aptly named, as sum is the Hindi-Urdu word for that vital beat in Indian classical music on which a cyclical rhythm culminates to signal the start of a new rhythmic cycle. But, for Jani, the title also refers to the sum of all the different parts of his life, having initially trained as an Indian classical musician and later become drawn to other influences, especially jazz. Jani grew up in Ahmedabad, India, from whence he migrated to Canada and, inspired by a diverse range of musicians including Trilok Gurtu and Led Zeppelin, his music is described as all that happened in between. The first track, ‘Day 21’, and ‘Peshkaar’, on which he plays the tabla, are both representative of his roots in North Indian classical rhythms whereas in the other tracks, especially ‘Kaleidoscope’, Jani and his band offer us something with the feel of a mini-symphony that might easily be part of a film soundtrack. This album is a clear indicator of Jani's love of jazz and rock with some seamless improvisation that is sure to appeal to fans of fusion.