Dhamaal Soundsystem

Hailing from San Francisco, the collective known as Dhamaal Soundsystem have come to be recognized not only for their amazing music, but their evolving artistry as well. Just recently breaking into the I-Tunes Top 20 (Electronic Charts) and collecting airplay on the BBC Radio and beyond, it is easy to see why Asian Dub Foundation has picked up Dhamaal Soundsystem on their most recent tour.

This debut album is a collection from each of the individual producers and artists that make up the entity Dhamaal Soundsystem.

R/EVOLUTION begins with a low-fi cinematic soundscape that echoes with Adheesh Sathaye’s tabla rhythm, sitar, and ghostly voices; eventually breaking out with a light drum n’ bass groove. Most of the melody is structured around the sitar performance that bounces back and forth as tabla dances around the DnB rhythms. This is an extremely imaginative production effort and throws out the red carpet for the listener as they dare to venture deeper within the world of Dhamaal.

OPPAARI begins as a chemical whirlwind while its choppy progressive synth stabs and beats create a playing field for the Asian violin instrumentation. The bassline is as driving as the breakbeat drum programming and definitely geared for the dancefloor. A nice follow up track to R/evolution as the album continues.

The heady and dreamy sounds of CHANDRAYA follow as the intelligent DnB movements and live instrumentation showcase the true spirit of experimentation and evolution of this collective. Accompanying this lush wash of instrumental music are the haunting vocals of Sukhawat Ali Khan. Khan’s scat-like chants and melodies whirl about wildly and give the listener a sacred window into another realm of existence.

A jazzed out bansuri flute progression soars out into the sky as a hyper-breakbeat and massive sawtoothed bassline reaches up from the depths. The flute continues its birdlike ascent as the bassline grinds its way across the track stopping only for moment as a lone tabla speaks its name. This is 2 MOTION from Dhruva Ganesan.

Sukhawat Ali Khan’s vocals rip through the synths as a ruthless cutlery ridden DnB rhythm breaks out. Along with Khan’s otherworldly vocals, FOLKLORE also features a relentless pitching and sawed-out bassline that crawls and drags the melody along. Not for the faint at heart.

TAZAN LOOKOUT offers us yet another window into the world of Dhamaal as its brooding soundscape and heavy 4/4 beats stumble along the rocky path, guiding us through the moonlit night.

The droning progressive breakbeat and mood of TWILIGHT CREEPER is heavy enough for the darkest of dancefloors. Again, soaring semi-live instrumentation can be found in this brilliant composition.

CHALAN comes alive as the timestretched tablas and bubbling noises create a strange state of existence. This is one of the more experimental pieces and runs the gamut of even the most daring intelligent jungle tracks. Spectral instrumentation haunts this landscape and the droning of the world around keeps the listener in a subdued state. The rhythms grow stronger as the composition evolves, eventually giving way to a manic tabla/jungle arrangement that would be the envy of any percussionist.

The world of Dhamaal Soundsystem is truly a remarkable place. These young producers shine with both diversity and ingenuity. Expect great things from future productions from each and every one of these artists.