Since long I wanted to check out this album and why not? The blend of Anoushka mesmerizing and melodic sitar scales with Karsh kale’s terrific talent to compose fusion Indian classical with club beats/electronica version of course not to forget his skills on Tabla.
This album sounds absolutely what its title describes it as, “Breathing under Water”. Anouskha and Karsh have composed songs which makes you feel like you are having a beautiful larger than life dream, or being in love or having a madness. Its about following a dream where you sail across beautiful large sparking ocean with great future ahead.
Karsh has not introduced much of club beats and has made this album mellower so this album is not for people you are looking for “kick arse” effects like he has done in his previous albums(except couple of songs like “Slither” and “PD7“) Karsh’s music is usually about electronic and “hit the floor” club beats with mesmerizing effects blended with Indian classical styled vocals and instruments. So, this album is very matured and more towards “Indianess” so to speak. I feel Karsh has largely compromised of what he could have done alone.
Anouskha has been absolutely fantastic, she has given the perfect melodic and her compositions are terrific. When you hear the songs like “Breathing under Water” they emote so much of peace and ecstasy. There are literally three versions of this song, “Reprise” is the most mellower version whereas the third version “Sea Dreamer” has vocals in it - and guess who does it? Hmmm…it’s the Sting - Gordon Sumner. I would not believe their choice, its like they hit the right note. The Sting vocals went perfect with the composition…it is must listen. Album shows some variations in genre like few Songs like “Oceanic part 1 & 2” feat. Pandit Ravi Shankar(Amazing julgalbandi between father and daughter!) has total classical touch where songs like “Burn” “Easy” Feat Norah Jones have fusion with jazz styled vocals. Songs like “A perfect rain” and “Abyss” has some contemporary popular music to it. **Instruments used are exhaustive! Sitar, flutes, tables, synthesizer, electronics etc…!
This album is for people looking for different, fresh, peace loving yet mesmerizing music. Got out and get it!