Search - Rajamani :: Pakiam

A revelation!

P. Kertes | Florida | 10/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an amazing artist! The US-based Indian Gypsy singer/sarod- and oud-player/percussionist/composer Oliver Rajamani, going only by his last name, is living embodiment of the fusion of all the musics that comprise the Rajastan/Middle East/Gypsy constellation across three continents. You will hear clear echoes of flamenco in his finger-style, as well as echoes of the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in his vocals and compositions. His vocal tone is very close to Bebo's partner-in-crime Diego "Cigala", and the musical idiom of his compositions jumps back and forth from Spain to India and all points in between. Rajamani would be equally at home singing for Paco de Lucia or jamming with the Gypys Kings, as well as playing his string instruments along with Ravi Shankar or the violinist Shankar, not to mention funky-strumming for the likes of Norah Jones or picking his oud for some of the Rai stars of North Africa.



As stated on his website, "Rajamani has done extensive traveling in Greece and Israel studying the Roma Gypsy communities and their music as well as Greek and Arabic music. He has also worked in the Romani Congress (U.N. Representation for the Roma Gypsy's [sic])."



As a lover and frequent buyer of all the artists mentioned above, I feel I have found an artist that occupies the middle of that most tasty segment of world music, global gypsy music. A feast for the ears! Don't miss it."