A privilege to record with India’s famous sitarist Niladri Kumar
Musicians
Chinmaya Dunster: keyboards, bass, programming
Niladri Kumar: sitar
Bikram Singh: flute
Avinash Jagtap: violin
Kalyan Mitto: cello
Preman Tilsen: bassoon
Track 1: Bhairavi
Track 2: Jhinjhoti
Track 3: Coming Home
Track 4: Yogabeat
Track 5: Village Songs
Track 6: Arunavachana (Promise of the Dawn)
Track 7: Innergy
Track 8: Jhinjhoti Revisited
“Imaginative compositions that blend Eastern and Western influences the domain of Chinmaya Dunster. With Yoga Lounge, he takes that classification to new levels, enlisting the assistance of sitar player Niladri Kumar to enhance the Eastern portion of the album. The music is meditative, yet groovy with light trip-hop rhythms as its driving force.Kumar’s sitar is played in a contemporary (and somewhat melodic) manner, alongside flute, synthesizer atmosphere and other Indian fusion elements. Yoga is the obvious activity of choice for the album, although it would be equally fitting for chilling out with friends or any time when an exotic mood is desired.”
Music Design In Review
This CD has been labelled “a sitar lover’s gem,” and, “East Indian music as its expressive best, coaxing sultry, seductive moods from an array of memorable tunes. Chill out music perfect for yoga movement or enjoying warm nights where there is something exotic in the air!”
“Combining his renowned musical skills with Niladri Kumar’s inventive sitar, UK-born Chinmaya Dunster invigorates the New Age music scene with Yoga Lounge, a fusion of Eastern and Western instruments and influences.
The story of these artists’ initial meeting is inspiring: Dunster first heard Kumar in Pune, India, when Kumar was improvising The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood. Dunster knew he had to meet this talented multi-instrumentalist, and a powerful musical partnership ensued.
On Yoga Lounge, Kumar’s sitar is set against Dunster’s slow, easy grooves on eight tracks. Kumar at times plays his sitar almost like a guitar. As Dunster writes in the liner notes, Kumar seems aware of chords where other sitar players are concentrating on melody and rhythm.
Yoga Lounge is a downbeat classic that works as a backdrop for yoga, the meditative arts, and evening relaxation.”
Mara Applebaum
New Age Retailer
