Artefacts
Nada (B,2002)****'
Nada is a Flemish Indian Fusion group consisting of Bert Cornelis, sitar, Luc De Gezelle, violin, Tom Theuns, guitar and harmonium, vocals, Pierre Narcisse, tabla, percussion, vocals and Ghalia Benali from Tunesian origin on lead vocals (also responsible for the beautiful paintings) with Klaas Janssens, sound engineering.
The group use a playful combination of different elements, varying from Indian music to Arabo-Andalusian music, fused to a few Western standards. Most pieces are vocally lead by Ghalia in an Arabic language. Second instrument is sitar, guitar and violin, accompanied by tabla and other hand-percussion. “Lelele” uses a combination of Indian classical music with Arab vocals.
“Miagowee”, written by Tom Theuns, holds even more the middle between an even wider variety of styles (guitar, slide guitar, sitar, vocals, some hand-percussion). “Agha-Ama” is a fine 'traditional' with violin, sitar, harmonium, background children noises (beautiful idea) and lead vocals by Ghalia. “Ya Bady” is an Arabo-Andalousian traditional, violin, sitar, guitar, tabla and solo voice, with a dynamic evolution towards the end. “Dhagenadha” by the violinist is also in semi-Indian traditional style on a complex rhythmic pattern. Great ! Here the acoustic guitar takes over the role of the tabla rhythm a bit, melodically. After “Stage Ascension”, “Al Palna” is a traditional played and sung in a more safe way. “Wisser” (=“wiping out”) follows hereafter and is just the opposite, with Tom Theuns and Bert Cornelis using free, sometimes almost psychedelic effects at first (as if wiping out the old elements with a new dynamism), with lots of experimentation, one brooding melody, some reverb, and completely free styled inspirations, including in the vocal parts, concluding with a recognisable melody. In its complete score it makes perfect sense and it has a very natural flow of a reservation energetic flowing rhythm underneath it's improvisation.
A great original group and a very good and fine release. I look forward to more !
FACT : Tom Theuns is a very talented young Flemish musician, writer who has been guest on my show a number of times (with folkrock band Dearest Companion, with singer Soetkin, and with singer Vera Coomans). Especially his release with Vera Coomans, “Sad Eyes” which is for me is one of the best folk Belgium releases I've heard. His group is now called Ambrozijn. He also is part of Olla Vogola.
FACT : Bert Cornelis, who studied with Pandit Ashok Pathak, son of the famous Shree Pandit Balaram Pathakji, participated with his sitar in a very wide variety of groups, projects with his sitar playing, including various folk groups like Olla Vogola,..
FACT : Luc De Gezelle is also part of the new folk-groups Trioviool en Olla Vogala.
About Tom & Bert whom I heard a couple of times before, I can say for me they have the true nature of a "real" creative musician. Each time they play they invented another, unique piece of art.
Another side-project of Bert is Sitadaki. Have a look at some concert-pictures here
He also participated on the Olla Vogola release. Review here
