The Dhol Foundation - Basant

The Guardian 60

(ECC Records)

Johnny Kalsi is Britain’s finest exponent of the dhol, the thundering Punjabi double-sided barrel drum. It provides the beat for bhangra, but Kalsi has shown how it can be used in experimental fusion styles through his work with Transglobal Underground and Afro Celt Sound System. Now he expands the range still further, helped by three other dhol players and musicians from Asia, Europe and Africa. At 71 minutes, it sounds over-long (did he really need two versions of the rousing Buliyan Nu?), but two tracks stand out in this entertaining, varied set. The opening Thunder Drum matches the wailing Punjabi tumbi and vocals by Money Sondh with Kalsi’s keyboard work and drumming on a furious dance song that sounds like a Bollywood classic, while Mother Tongue is a thoughtful meditation on language and identity by Steve Knightley, in which he shares the vocals with Shahid Khan.