From the creative depths of multi-disciplinary artist and musician Rahul Mukerji, this album presents an amalgamation of instruments, a celebration of collaborative charm in both method and manifesto, for the intoxicating journey of Mridhangit.
Named after the unifying of three leading instruments – Mridangam, Handpan, and Guitar, Mridhangit is a uniquely enchanting instrumental project, which begins with a captivating blend of funk-kissed euphoric western rock and metal brilliance, in the form of the unmissable composition Mr. Sinister.
Easily one of the most impressive and engaging, uplifting and exciting original tracks of the year, Mr. Sinister is a masterpiece of an opening work, and sets the foundation perfectly well, for this limitless collection of compositions.
Having freely toyed with the very fabric of sound and playing through his organic musicianship, Rahul Mukerji celebrates and showcases an unrivalled degree of skill and emotional involvement with this project. The album is sensational, interesting and ever-changing, satisfying and euphoric, whilst also being entirely original in so many ways.
Forged over the years of isolation imparted by COVID, Mridhangit is an enthralling original listen, with progressive metal and world music rhythms, tones and moments, all uniting absolute instrumental ability with alluring and often energising ambiances.
Bheja Fry is exactly this, a free-flowing guitar solo meandering atop a hand-drum set-up and seductive bassline, with Twelve Ganeshas afterwards igniting a stark contrast of something beachside bright and hopeful – think surf rock and dreamy atmospheric pop, cascading arpeggios, and just enough of that unpredictable creative twist to keep things slightly psychedelic.
We continue down this pathway of phenomenal and evocative highs and lows, as Enjoymaddi lets piano softly surround us with a completely different mood and sentiment. Just when you think you know the formula, Rahul Mukerji’s genius strikes again, pairing solo instrumental lines throughout an hypnotic dance towards something intermittently delicate and profoundly soulful.
The title-track is a wonderfully colourful and quirky mid-section moment, vocal fragments and soaring atmospheric guitars and bass make for something that feels both vast and intimate, gentle and chaotic, before something a little more classic progressive lets Kalli Penn strike up a comforting groove, until Funky Pakora adds ethereal intrigue, soul-rock and funk to the procession.
Dushtan is unmissable, something like Celtic metal, with a tightly-knit band delivering a superbly addictive rhythm then shifting things back towards a hazy meadow of grunge afterwards.
Suddenly the delicacy of a finger-picked Rahu Ketu feels striking in its stillness, its mystery, and its melodic impact. The intensity evolves throughout, and this becomes another easy favourite for that journey from serenity to intense euphoria.
Four Seas returns us to the wonder and simplicity of piano-led jazz, something like an instrumental ballad without words, leading perfectly well into neo-classical, Celtic folk and jazz-kissed evocative peacefulness, of a boldly beautiful composition and closing track Mutabor.
As a lover of music, I’m often compelled to appreciate the beauty and nuance of all new releases from hard-working talents. The problem with this becomes the inability then to fully separate and elevate those projects which truly appear to have been crafted on some remarkable new level.
Mridhangit is a genuinely outstanding, exceptional album, and it’s essential to also credit the 11 other amazing global musicians, who helped bring Rahul Mukerji’s vision to life. Leo Margarit, Praveen Sparsh, Ruben Rubio, Chaplin, Erkan Erginci, Dylan, Rahul Krishnan, Thisara Bandara, Rafael Freitas, Maciej S, and Alejo Perezcuba – deeply talented cast, whose contributions help make this a fully enthralling, world-music celebration of human ability, emotion, and depth.
Download or stream Mridhangit on Bandcamp, Apple, YouTube. Find Rahul Mukerji on Instagram, Facebook or his Website.
