Tracks : 1 Madhya Laya 2 The Process 3 Sama Red 4 Mi' Raij 5 Arabesque 6 Painted Dust 7 Peacock Angel 8 Five Jewels 9 Tones And Waves 10 When The Waters Were Changed
From Aural Innovations #6 (April 1999) : From Bristol, UK comes this Eastern-psychedelic quartet Saddar Bazaar, though I wouldn't be surprised if the lead duo, the Hyder brothers Shaun (sitar) and Rehar
(guitar), were really from Pakistan where the actual Bazaar exists.
Because this is very nearly 'true' Eastern music, complete with
instruments I'd never heard of...such as a dholak (Indian hand drum)
and a tambura (Asian lute). So it surprises me to learn that these
Bristol lads recorded a track with Texas doom metal-heads Solitude
Aeturnus, the entity that also spawned the excellent psychedelic trio
the Liquid Sound Company. Hmmm.... perhaps that meeting even led to the inspiration for LSC's formation?
"Path
of the Rose" wanders through 10 tracks of similar length, amounting to
a 45-minute oriental journey. Tablas and sitar abound throughout,
although a number of tunes have a western pop flavor (á la the Beatles)
with the melodies carried by various instruments, usually sitar and
slide guitar from the Hyders or moogy organ from Terry Banx.
"Arabesque" (sic) in fact sounds a bit like "Norwegian Wood" though the
melody is built atop a mindnumbing drone created by some unknown
instrument, probably something that relies on a rosin wheel and a crank
(my ignorance is showing). The followup, "Painted Dust," is a pretty,
ambient piece that sprinkles a simple sitar melody and light acoustic
guitar work atop the hovering synth tones. "Peacock Angel" then comes
across with a little more urgency with sitar/guitar drone and multiple
percussion tracks from Dave Spencer, and features an excellent flute
solo by guest Tainenska Royal. This is the sort of frosting the group
really needs to exploit more. The remaining tracks explore very similar
themes, and are a bit anti-climactic even.
The lone major
drawback of "Path of the Rose" is the lack of vocals... nothing wrong
with instrumentals, but many of these tracks seem to be set up for
verses and choruses - or at least I can imagine them in my head. Still,
by listening to the Bazaar, you'll take one more step towards
appreciation of true Eastern music past what one would get by simply
listening to the Ozrics or Steve Hillage's "L." And the cover art is
too cool to pass up. ~Reviewed by Keith Henderson
Singles :
* Sarmadi Express (West)/Sarmadi Express (East), Enraptured Records, RAPT 4511, 1997
* Arabesque on a split 7" single with Amp, Enraptured Records, RAPT 4503, 1996
Compilation Appearances :
* "Sukoon" on Music For Coffeeshops Dreamtime Records, CDKTB 20, 1996
* "Arc of Ascent (Part One)" on Pick & Mix, DELEC CDD 023, October 1995
* "Night Descent" on Fun With Mushrooms Compilation, LP/CD, Delerium Records DELEC CD/LP009. 1993
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