Innova Music 
Neel Morgai Ensemble (US,2010)****'
What is this : raga-chamber-jazz or something ? This is how their label defines Neel Morgai Ensembles' style. It does not happen often : a combination of chamber music with raga elements, but there you are.
Band leader Neil Morgai has studied maths and science and Civil Engineering first, but soon discovered music was his true passion. Over the past 12 years he has learned sitar, now with Pundit Krishna Bhatt, who was a student of Ravi Shankar. Besides he was also tutored in harmonic singing and he has studied Persian daf (frame drum), and has performed classical Persian music. He is a teacher and composer of traditional music with an interest to blend this with foreign styles.
On this nearly 70 minutes long CD we hear different examples of an approach of how to combine western chamber orchestra with Indian classical music ideas. You can hear how some of it comes forward from improvisation, but there are well composed combinations too. “Space Twang” for instance is in a light classical style like with a medieval dance music theme while incorporating an improvisation like in a raga. “Charukeshi Monday” on the other hand makes the chamber instrument elaborate in a more Indian way of improvisation, mixed with a feeling for classical harmonies, just the other way around, a respectful interaction of instruments and music styles. Elsewhere, like on “Evening in a: raga yaman” for instance the double bass takes jazzy rhythmical leads, an incorporated element within a raga structure. On “Panchatantra” rhythmical-melodious jazz elements are mixed with sitar, Indian styled viola and such. Also interesting is a different version, interpretation and improvisation on what is stated as being a popular traditional tune made known by Ali Akhbar Khan with Ravi Shankar, but I think I have heard it elsewhere too, on “Brooklyn Ki Bhairava”. There is also one classical raga on sitar and tabla only included. The closing track is different, an improvisation starting with Tuvan singing, droning cello and daf/tabla improvisations, while cello and viola make a melodic dance with the musical themes. An enjoyable album with some musically inspiring ideas for a different sort of fusion.
