Author: Gurtu, Trilok

Format: Import

Release Date: 12-06-2001

Details: Amazon.ca Very much a song-based affair, The Beat of Love continues the Indian percussionist's experiments with African music, calling on a range of guest singers that includes Salif Keita and Angelique Kidjo. Gurtu's last album, African Fantasy, was already starting to open up these Indo-African channels, and its successor takes a markedly more commercial path. Keyboardist, programmer and producer Wally Badarou highlights the compositional side of Gurtu's talent, Trilok's percussion becoming less prominent. It's a very democratic sound, with each participant serving the needs of the song. The other guests are Bollywood crooner Roop Kumar, Sabine Kabongo (a longtime member of Zap Mama), Senegalese solo artist Wasis Diop, Jabu Khanyile (leader of the South African Bayete group) and Indian bandleader Nandini Sirkar. "Maya" makes a rousing opener, while "A Friend" has Kidjo crooning in front of distant guitar power chords and "Have We Lost Our Dream?" sees Keita floating high above the Bombay Strings. "Ola Bombay" and the title track are more extroverted, the latter bouncing along on a lattice of twangy Afro-guitar lines. All of these numbers are united by their supreme catchiness, especially after a couple of plays. --Martin Longley

UPC: 731454974523

EAN: 0731454974523

Languages: English

Binding: Audio CD

Item Condition: UsedVeryGood