JennJoy's Full Review: Salt Rain by Susheela Raman
I just knew I was going to love Susheela Raman’s album "Salt Rain." After spending a few weeks in India as a young teenager I became fascinated with Indian culture in every way. So many things I’ve done since then have been a direct result of that trip: piercing my nose, wearing a sari, having Ganesha (ganapati) tattooed on my leg, seeking out the best Indian restaurants, and more. There is no way for me to accurately describe my experiences there and when someone asks me to put them into words my thoughts are generally fragmented bits. As a Westerner, the closest I've been able to get to reliving any of those magical experiences is Indian music.
While I have a great love for classical Indian music it's something that I just have to be in the mood for. That’s where Susheela Raman comes in. Born in England to South Indian parents and raised in Australia, Susheela reflects two very different worlds--her Tamil heritage and her Western upbringing. Her music is what "world" music should truly be. "Salt Rain" is filled with ancient Hindustani devotionals that have been reworked with more modern arrangements and instrumentation. The result is so many wonderful things: jazz, sultry blues, Indian, Middle Eastern, funky, and soulful.
"Salt Rain’s" unique sound is comprised of two key things. First, there is the breadth of musicians who added their talents to these songs. This international 'band,' led by guitarist Sam Mills (Real World producer), adds bass, African and Indian percussion, cello, clarinet and more to the sound. The second and most striking aspect of the album’s sound is Susheela's voice. Whether singing in English or a variety of Indian dialects, her voice is radiant. Raman was self-taught in Western styles, but trained in classical voice techniques by Shruti Sadolikar in India. Susheela's singing style ends up being throaty, sensual, womanly, and is what rightly carries the music here.
You won’t find a weak track on "Salt Rain," although some are clear standouts. All of the traditional tracks are superbly done, especially opener Ganapati. This invocation to elephant-headed deity Ganesh is the perfect first track, as Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and is customarily called upon at the start of any venture. The use of tabla and speaking bols (a sort of chanting) blends perfectly with the guitar and drums to create a glorious hybrid of cultures. Mamavatu follows very much in the same laid-back vein, but with a more Middle Eastern feel. Trust in Me is a surprising cover of the Jungle Book tune done with lots of Egyptian percussion and cello. Other splendid tracks on "Salt Rain" are Susheela's duet with Kenyan singer Ayub Ogada on O Rama and Song to the Siren, a Tim Buckley cover that is nothing short of moving.
"Salt Rain" is an album I think almost everyone should experience, especially if you are looking for an introduction to Indian music that will be easy to digest. However, fans of world music, blues, jazz, soul, and more will definitely find something enjoyable here. The musical styles, the musicianship, and the vocals are all flawless and inspiring--even more so when you take into account that quite a number of these songs were recorded as one live track. Don’t miss this one!
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