Sunny Jain - Taboo (2010)

Sunny Jain is a leading voice in an emerging movement of South Asian-American jazz musicians who bring together America s greatest original art form and the ancient and modern sounds of their cultural heritage. Touted as an Indian-American trailblazer in establishing the contemporary music of Indo-Jazz, Jain has released five CD's since 2002 that have received international acclaim for their groundbreaking synthesis (Coda Magazine). With his new recording on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, Taboo, Jain stakes out singular turf in this 21st Century world of cross-pollinating musical traditions" (Signal to Noise). Jain s Taboo presents seven sparkling new jazz works inspired by ghazals (an ancient poetic form), that address social justice issues. Jain explains further, this project started through a desire and a sense of obligation to use my music as a platform to address social justice issues permeating the world, and that specifically speak to the South Asian community, where these matters are often considered taboo : sexual orientation, inequality and violence upon women, and the juxtaposition of religions. The artistic inspiration was derived from ghazals, love poems, that have their origins in the Arabian Peninsula and eventually made their way to India in the 12th century. Ultimately, I wasn t looking to create compositions based around love poems, but rather utilize the writings of modern day poets and lyricists in addressing the said issues. Jain draws inspiration from the musical sensibilities of modern India, in addition to ancient classical forms. His Punjabi roots and appreciation for Bollywood classics are audible in the work. Allusions to Indian dance rhythms find resonance with many forms of jazz in the group's performances. Each composition on Taboo draws upon a specific Indian raga in order to present a mood specific to each work. While the music in its entirety is influenced by the Indian and African diasporas, the players bring their own unique musical personalities, and collectively, they aim to blur the lines of genre. Jain brings together four of the most in demand, cutting-edge jazz musicians in the world today, himself (on drums and dhol), pianist Marc Cary, guitarist Nir Felder and bassist Gary Wang, with five internationally acclaimed vocalists of the South Asian Diaspora, Achyut Joshi, Sheetal Karhade, Samita Sinha, Sachal Vasandani and YaliniDream, plus singer/songwriter Shayna Steele, presenting a true genre-bend that cuts a beautiful new tributary flowing into the Indo-jazz river. At the end, I hope this music reflects the creativity of humans, connects to your heart, and inspires you to greater heights of goodness towards all living beings, said Jain.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Sunny Jain - Jack and Jill (10:07)
1.02 - Sunny Jain - Ye Mera Khuda (9:38)
1.03 - Sunny Jain - Two Ladies (8:24)
1.04 - Sunny Jain - Basa Bhagwaan (8:54)
1.05 - Sunny Jain - A Sufi (8:18)
1.06 - Sunny Jain - We Sinful Women (9:52)
1.07 - Sunny Jain - Samaro Mantra (2:12)