Mama Consciousness – Mahamaya Experience (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Although immersed in Southeast Asia’s folk traditions and classical music, Ranjit Makkuni is more interested in how those established sounds can travel the world, combining with the music of other cultures and traditions, other genres, and geographies. To that end, Mahamaya Experience is the musical vehicle he uses to create a whole new strand of world music. And, whereas in the past, the term world music was often a catch-all term for random pockets of established folk traditions and cultural styles, truly universal music is being created here.

As always, there is depth to his creations, and here, “Mama Consciousness” returns to a familiar theme, a call to fully embrace and understand the power of the female consciousness, to experience the altruistic and compassionate nature of the feminine form, and to show respect to women.

“Mama Consciousness” is a long and ever-evolving piece, one that entwines Eastern traditional vibes and Western jazz eclecticism; the section called “Did Your Mama Teach You To Treat You Shakti Right” is full of spacious skat-style vocals and cascades of flowing sitars, oriental themes, and occidental sounds.

But it is the solo where the blending of East and West sonic creativity truly meet; an experimental jazz-club vibe is created through the bubbling notes and buoyant beats of Indian instruments, a heady mix of experimentation and familiarity, like a jam session at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club if it had always existed in the creative quarter of Chiangmai, or Dharmshala, or perhaps even Ubud, and not West London.

All this reminds us of our small and interconnected world, especially regarding creative forces. As ever, Mahamaya Experience shows us that it isn’t the traditions you are born into that is important; it is where you take those sounds and what you do with them that counts.