Tala Matrix

by Tabla Beat Science

Overview

With their debut CD Tala Matrix, the project known as Tabla Beat Science has essentially taken the rich and time-honored tradition of the tabla (a pair of North Indian hand drums) and fused it with contemporary electronica studio wizardry. Tala Matrix is dedicated to the memory of the late, great, and innovative tabla virtuoso Ustad Alla Rakha (1919-2000). The Tabla Beat Science project is comprised of one of Ustad Alla Rakha's sons, the tabla superman Zakir Hussain. Additional members include the venerated sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan; Indian and jazz percussion innovator Trilok Gurtu; New York drummer Karsh Kale; bass, drum, and tabla visionary Talvin Singh; and music programmer Brad Somatik. Producer/bassist Bill Laswell, who "conceived and constructed" the CD, acts as the catalyst for the outfit, adding the bottom end with his dub basslines and the overall aesthetic with his studio prowess. More of a consortium than a full-blown collaboration, not one of the songs on Tabla Matrix features all members of the group. Zakir Hussain's many tracks are among the best on the album, though Trilok Gurtu's funky Big Brother and Talvin Singh's Don't Worry.Com are both extremely compelling. The often zombie-ridden doldrums of electronica should benefit immensely from this experimental union with tabla. An excellent CD that deserves to be heard many times by many people, Tala Matrix manages to be innovative without loosing sight of tradition. ~ John Vallier

Product Details

Release Date:	09/12/2000
Label:	Palm / Axiom/Palm
UPC:	0660200204624

Tracks

1. Secret Channel
2. Magnetic
3. Audiomaze
4. Don't Worry
5. Palmistry
6. Devotional
7. Big Brother
8. Triangular Objects
9. Biotech
10. Alla

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tabla Beat Science   Primary Artist
Zakir Hussain   Primary Artist,Tabla
Bill Laswell   Primary Artist,Bass
Karsh Kale   Primary Artist
Trilok Gurtu   Primary Artist,Tabla,Drums
Talvin Singh   Primary Artist
Sultan Khan   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Aldo Sampieri   Design
Trilok Gurtu   Production Consultant,Composer
Bill Laswell   Composer,Sound Construction
Talvin Singh   Composer,Production Consultant
Robert Musso   Engineer
Sultan Khan   Composer,Performer
Karsh Kale   Composer,Performer
Michael Fossenkemper   Mastering
Matt Howe   Production Consultant,Engineer
Tristin Norwell   Mixing Engineer,Engineer
Zakir Hussain   Composer