Hamza Rahimtula, Rajasthan Folkstars – Origins [Sol Selectas]

Sabo's record label, Sol Selectas, presents a sensational collaborative organic house album by Hamza Rahimtula and the Rajasthan Folkstars. It's an Indian folk fusion that combines the artists' Indian heritage with traditional house music from the Western World.

The tracks on the album transition between organic house with Indian vocals and traditional instruments, through to jazzy, soulful house, inspired by the classic sound of Chicago.

Hamza Rahimtula is already an established producer who has released music through various Sol Selectas compilations. This is the first time he has done a full release of original material for Sol Selectas, and his tracks can also be found on other prestigious record labels ranging from Nervous Records to his own WindHorse Records. He is also one of India's most in-demand underground DJs.

All ten of the tracks have been made in collaboration with the Rajasthan Folkstars who with this album are making their first official release. Rajasthan Folkstars are a group of Indian musicians who add live vocals and instruments to Hamza Rahimtula's DJ sets, and this time they have joined him in the studio to augment his album with vocals and live instruments.

"Earth" opens the album with a tribute to the planet we all live on, and it has an uplifting mood with traditional Indian vocals layered with Afro percussion.

"Sky" is up next, and is inspired by the poetic praise of a king's daughter. It has a soaring sound that has all the elements of the opening track, but with wafting melodies that like the wings of a bird, transcend between the earth and sky.

"Algoza" is a track that lets Rajasthan Folkstars showcase different instruments from their repertoire. It's a jovial track, where the organic sounds of the instruments are augmented by an inspirational spoken word vocal.

"Morchang" pays homage to the traditional Indian instrument that in Hamza's words "has this primal, almost acid-like quality." It's a trippy track built around an other-worldly sound.

"Ishq Laga Mainu" pays homage to the Punjabi Sufi poet, Bulleh Shah, and has a sound inspired by minimal techno. It's stripped back and techy groove showcases how intricacy and simplicity can sometimes both exist within the same space, as despite the minimal backing track, the vocal performance is anything other than minimalistic.

"Kanudo Ni Jaane" is a fusion of Brazilian carnival culture and Hindu mythology story, where the goddess Radha breaks her clay pot of water, while she steals a flute belonging to another mythical being. It's a feel-good groove where Latin drums underpin Indian vocals.

"Baras Baras" is a soulful house track with jazzy piano chords and thought-provoking, spoken word vocals layered over a deep bassline, while a traditional Indian string instrument called a Sarangi plays a haunting melody. This track on the album is the most in-line with the classic sound of Chicago house.

"Ghumar" has an '80s disco influence with a Donna Summer-esque arpeggio bassline and string stabs, adding to a powerful vocal performance by the Rajasthan Folkstars.

"Gypsy Trail" combines the Latin guitar and trumpet stabs of Flamenco with the flowing rhythms of a bhapang, which is a traditional Indian percussive instrument. Hamza Rahimtula was inspired by the intertwining flow of these two contrasting cultures.

"Lavar Jivida" is a love song between husband and wife, and has emotional vocals with affectionate tones, layered over a backing track inspired by Italo disco. It's a mid-tempo track that paints sonic pictures of a enamoured couple passionately pirouetting around a dance floor.

Out now, buy a copy HERE.

https://soundcloud.com/solselectas/sets/origins-hamza-rahimtula-rajasthan-folkstars

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