Artists - Merlin
The eternal journey of the soul, in the words of the composer and pianist Merlin, is what best describes the feeling behind her new instrumental studio record. Charting a soundscape that fuses raga influenced melodic lines, Indian rhythm patterns, groovy arrangements and oodles of fluid piano work, Soul Yatra also features guest performances by the likes of Taufeeq Quereshi, Rakesh Chaurasia, Mukul Dongre, Karl Peters, Vivienne Pocha, to name a few.
Amantran, the opening track, starts with an evocative chant and explores a morning raga (Bairagi) in a sinuous duet of piano and flute amidst shifting time signatures. The title track, Soul yatra, eases into an ambient space with the ebb and flow of operatic vocals and veena-like strains.
Mast embraces raga Bhimpalasi and more… with punchy basslines and rhythms, while the jhaptal and rupak time signatures of Rain give it a lingering cadence. The upbeat Tu hi tu is the only lyrical track on the otherwise mostly instrumental album. Reflective, playful and exciting, the album draws from different moods for its musical architecture. Inspiration drawn from ragas, from Merlin’s own experience as a western classical pianist, and her foray into jazz marks her oeuvre, where technique fuses with feeling.
For the musician/composer whose body of work includes films, theatre and advertising, Soul Yatra signals the next passage in her musical journey, as she invites the audience to tune in and listen. About Merlin: Merlin D’souza the talented composer and pianist, is truly a consummate musician whose work includes composing for film, albums, theatre and advertising. For someone who started learning the piano at age 6, became an All India Radio performing artiste at 9, started playing in the church at 12 (something she still continues to do) and bunked college at 18 to score and perform for Noel Godin’s musical production (Blood Brothers). Her journey in theatre as a music director has seen her score for Alyque Padamsee’s Romeo and Juliet, Pearl Padamsee’s Godspell, Nasiruddin Shah’s Julius Ceaser and Etienne Coutinho’s Jazz.
Her foray into films as composer, arranger and vocal director has hit the right notes in K3G, Road, Bus Yun Hi, Rules and Prince of Egypt and more. She has gigged with greats like Shubha Mudgal, Trilok Gurtu, Talvin Singh, Taufeeq Quereshi, Rakesh Chaurasia, Igor, Tala Faral, to name a handful. It would not be unfair to say she has been there, done that.
Formerly the Asian jazz ambassador for Hennessy XO, she has toured extensively, from Australia to China, from Europe to the United States (including a stint at the Blue Note, New York). Recently back with glowing accolades from Amsterdam (shows of JAZZ, a musical that she scored, and performed in), Merlin is all set to release her solo instrumental record, Soul Yatra.
Rigorously trained in western classical (Trinity College Performer’s Licentiate) and liberated by jazz, Merlin confesses that she could’ve just as easily ended up as a PR professional. Thank God she didn’t.
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SOUL YATRA - Released Feb 2009
1. Amantran
2. Soul Yatra
3. Mast
4. Safar
5. Har Taal
6. Rain
7. Tu Hi Tu (You're the One)
8. Soul Yatra (Remix) -
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Merlin on Myspace: Click here.
