Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Diaspora Kid (2020)

Known for his powerful and emotive voice, vocalist Aditya Prakash is one of the foremost young virtuosos of Carnatic music, the traditional classical style of South India. Growing up in his native Los Angeles, Aditya was rooted in South Indian arts and culture through his immigrant family, yet at school found himself in a distinct minority. He studied Carnatic voice with great dedication from childhood, but kept that passion apart from the public persona he had for his friends. Balancing two worlds in this way leads one to isolation, a feeling of being separate from both cultures. Yet it also drives the creative to find ways to bring these worlds together.

"Diaspora Kid is about finding my roots in my ever-changing environment, filled with a diverse array of inspirations. From rhythmic Carnatic grooves over a brass band (Greenwood), to an alternative rock Radiohead-inspired feel (Wave for an Ocean), to an aggressive Tigran Hamasyan-inspired modal jazz tune (The Warrior), to an Irish fiddle-inspired sound (Irish Song) to a hip hop rap vibe (Up in Flames), to a funky Indian folk feel (Ambiga), and finally the pure Carnatic (Roots – Ramakali) – this album is about moving through the melting pot of cultures I grew up with in Los Angeles through the lens of the Indian classical voice," says Prakash.

Tracklist:
01. Aditya Prakash Ensemble; Mike Greenwood - Greenwood (3:58)
02. Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Nadia (5:24)
03. Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Roots (Ramakali) (4:23)
04. Aditya Prakash Ensemble; B.C. Manjunath; Josh Johnson - The Warrior (3:13)
05. Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Wave for an Ocean (5:27)
06. Aditya Prakash Ensemble; Amir Oosman - Joy (3:06)
07. Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Irish Song (3:39)
08. Aditya Prakash Ensemble; Mic Holden - Up in Flames (3:58)
09. Aditya Prakash Ensemble - Ambiga (5:51)