An uncommonly open-minded musical visionary and world music pioneer, Trilok Gurtu once again stands at the confluence of where Indian classical music, Western jazz and funk as well as African, Balkan and Brazilian music meet. Joining him on Mirror, his third release on Jazzline and 22nd overall as a leader, is the stellar Arké String Quartet (violinist and conductor Carlo Cantini, second violinist Valentino Corvino, violist Sandro di Paolo and bassist Stefano Dall’Ora).
This meeting of the minds between the Italian-based ensemble and the Indian master drummer-percussionist — melding classical, jazz, South Indian Carnatic and Celtic musical traditions into an organic whole — is actually a reunion of the two musical forces. It was 20 years ago that the Arké String Quartet appeared as special guests on Gurtu’s 2004 album, Broken Rhythms. Two years later they collaborated on Arkeology for the Bologna-based label, Promo Music. Now on Mirror, they rekindle their rare chemistry on ten tracks that run the gamut from the dynamic opener, “Peace Is Not Peaceful” to the South Indian Carnatic flavored funk of “Settembrino” to the mournful ballad “Folded Arms” to the catchy konnokol bass groove of “Five Illusions” (a tricky tune in 4/4 that gives the impression of being in 5/4) and the medieval English folk-sounding “The Cathedral.” Elsewhere on Mirror, they run through challenging unison lines with a hint of Mahavishnu Orchestra burn on the aptly-named “Whirlwind” before settling into an introspective mood on the calming “Tornavento” (recalling Mahavishnu’s “You Know, You Know”). “Scirocco” is a driving funk vehicle with konnokol vocals fueled by Gurtu’s slamming backbeat and Dall’Ora’s urgent electric bass groove. And the moving, atmospheric closer, “After the Storm,” is an exploration in textures, tones and ambient sound. Given their collective skills, musical flexibility and open-mindedness, this is music that defies easy categorization.
