The most progressive volume to date from Water Music's Tantra Lounge series, the compilation is filled with dubby jazz and prog-electro styles paired with Bali'esque South Asian instrumentation and vocals. From the very beginning of the album, tablas and sitars rock steadily with standard jazz instrumentation, transistor turntablism, and dubbed-out-downtempo drum loops. This style is also featured later with Mister Koffy's So Much Class. After the introduction selection from Naked Rhythm (track 1), Angel Tears comes in with the loopy/classical South Asian sound of Marrakesh. Najma Akhtar, Mazachigno, and Session Twelve follow with their progressive downtempo/electro accompanied by more classical South Asian instrumentation.
Already, there is an obvious difference in the overall sound of this compilation compared to the previous Tantra Lounge precursors - that difference being the Western jazz influence heard in the construction of the compositions. The style absolutely permeates most of the selections, and it is clearly evident that there are drastic changes taking place within the genre itself.
It will be interesting to see just where volume four will take us on this ever-evolving journey. The only reserve I have is for this series is: Where are the Holmes Ives and Dhamaal Soundsystem selections, and when can we expect them? Only time shall tell - onward and upward!
