Dreamplanet Music
Alien Chatter : Music For Aliens (CAN/US,2003)***°
Alien Chatter in fact makes a new genre, called Indojazztronica. It’s not that no attempts were made before in forming a blend between jazz, lounge programming and Indian beats ; the biggest difference lies in the deeply skilled foundation of this duo. Satnam S. Ramgotra plays tabla, drums, percussion and programming, with some hardly noticable vocals. While his drumming is jazz drumming, the tabla is skilled in Indian styled teachings; the additional percussion stylistically mostly is in between lounge and jazz . The programmed bass and percussion is complicated art-techno. Satnam learned the tabla under two renowned Indian tabla masters, but he also experienced frame drums, African Percussions, Dumbek, Congas, and “tinkertoys.” He taught in important schools in Greece, Switzerland, Canada, California and recorded with many artists including David Lynch, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan amongst many others. Second part of the duo is Rodney Lee who leaned classical and jazz piano. He once had his t-bop jazz group B-Sharp amongst other experiences. He not only plays the jazz piano, but also adds touches with synths and programming.
The instrumental music of Alien chatter has a ground foundation of jazz with piano and basic rhythm, but this is mostly uploaded with groovy lounge-like, (or just now and then, faster,) background electronic rhythms with some subtle rhythmic electronica, and some slightly funky elements. This is mixed mostly with Indian tabla. Additionally I heard once a small orchestration part. None of the extra elements overloads the jazz. Very enjoyable !
