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  Susheela Raman
Music For Crocodiles (Narada 72438-63402-2-1, 2006)
Susheela Raman's prior releases
Salt Rain and
Love Trap (both
also on Narada) rightly got considerable notice and acclaim. Of Tamil
Indian heritage but born in London and raised largely in Australia,
Raman has forged a musical identity that is as much founded upon South
Indian Carnatic classical traditions as a farther-reaching sensibility
that blends African, Asian and European sounds with casual grace and
ease. Her voice- commanding, innocent, focused and sexy all at once
-can seemingly sing anything. From the Ethiopian-based title track of
Love Trap to a version of "Trust in Me" (think back to Disney's "The Jungle
Book") to Indian spiritual songs and tracks that could heat up any
urban dance floor, Raman has been pegged as one of world music's most
versatile artists.
Her new album, intriguingly titled
Music For Crocodiles, goes for new levels of both accessibility and adventure. She sings far more song in English this time, keeps a distinct Indian feel along with some pan-Eastern grooves and modalities and shows a knack for composing her own tunes.
The disc was produced by Brit guitar whiz Sam Mills (Raman's musical collaborator for several years in addition to now being her spouse, and the overall feel (presumably intended) is that of pop fusion music which is both challenging and thoroughly enjoyable. Raman may well be aiming for greater mainstream success here, and if so, she has the uncompromising means to achieve it. Her singing is effortlessly emotive, whether she's warbling of matters sensual, devotional or surreal, and the mostly acoustic backing is full of quietly urgent beats and jazz-sprinkled melodies that are chilled but not cold.
Definitely her most intimate album to date,
Music For Crocodiles is also a very engaging display of what a visionary artist can achieve by expanding upon rich musical roots (in this case South Indian) to create a signature sound combining musical and cultural ideas well beyond any perceived borders. Even if your skin isn't that of a crocodile, the sounds on this disc will get under it. And deeply.
Buy the CD:
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