Wayfinder

This recording from Canada-based sitarist Mohamed Assani successfully combines the melodic sophistication of the Hindustani tradition with a more contemporary vibe. This is not easy to pull off, but the thoughtful approach taken by Assani gives the tracks a coherence that is sometimes lacking in other attempts. There is a somewhat generic feel to some of the electronic elements (especially on the first four tracks), though the tempo picks up nicely for both the first (‘Awakening’) and final track (‘Transit’), which provides a level of excitement and contrast.

Throughout, Assani's playing is impressive and beautifully placed into the textures, interacting well with the bass. Perhaps the one criticism of the album is that the electronic grooves used are fairly standard, and given the rich rhythmic heritage that he can draw on, there may have been a more exciting and innovative way of incorporating them into the recording. This becomes particularly noticeable with the contrast provided by the use of traditional drumming (listen out for the excellent mridangam and tabla playing) adding that much needed extra dimension to the music.