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The Importance of Soundchecking

It may be a bit of a mystery to the idle observer as to what it is that goes on for a band before a performance at the soundcheck. It is in fact a crucial and key part of how well the gig is likely to go. It`s not just how well the audience can hear each of the musicians in the band, but also very importantly how well the members of the band can hear each other. The challenge of this of course varies hugely according to the acoustics of the venue. These come in all shapes and sizes,and there are fiendish obstacles to overcome if you have close odd shaped walls bringing about unwanted slapback echoes etc. Read more →

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Studio Soundtracking

Rod Pooley and I have now been collaborating on a number of musical projects, and this is getting better as it progresses. The direction we were exploring on Monday was that of comedy for soundtrack purposes. Rod is able to combine a sharp and witty sense of humour with phenomenal keyboard agility and dexterity. The end result is nothing sort of amazing. I suggested the first musical idea which was called `Suss Kebab`. I explained that what I had in mind was a chordal accompaniment on harmonium, with a melody shared by zurna and duduk wind instruments to convey the image of a less than wholesome kebab outfit. `No problem` said Rod and he came up with some awesome and funny interpretations, and the parts where he played deliberately out of tune, by dint of the modwheel on the keyboard, had us cracking up. Awesome!

RODDERS-264x300

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Summer 2011

Many things have been in a state of transition, and though my sense is that this has been true for just about the whole world, it makes it harder to decide when best to comment and log these changes.

It is rewarding to have 2 new CDs come into being. The first is a collaboration with Mike Booth from Aura-Soma, which combines poetry and rap with music I have written. It was fun to spend time in fresh stylistic territory with this project, and gave me a chance to explore fresh areas. My connection with Aura-Soma has always been creatively fruitful, and this remains true. Read more →

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Summer 2010

Summer seems a little reluctant to arrive this year, after a seductive two day phase of teasing us last week, that it could actually be here. After the intense winter along within this protracted tricky phase, you can feel a huge collective readiness for real warmth.

Four days holidaying in Kent was a delightful break, and it`s easy anyway to forget what astonishing castles, gardens, parks and local spots are really very near. Joining the National Trust was an excellent move. Thanks to my old friend Anne Beadle for this suggestion. So now I`m ready for summer, if we`re lucky enough to get one. The badminton net is up in my garden, and I am seriously ready for some sun. Read more →

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Indian Travels Part 2

James Asher Travels to India Part 2

In Bombay with Mahesh Vinayakram

In January 2009, I made another trip to India, visiting Bombay, Chennai and Jaipur.

Being in Bombay offered a chance to meet up with Times Music, and do some promotional work for Bravado MasalaMahesh Vinayakram, with whom I made this album, came to Bombay as one of the musicians playing for a large and colourful dance show at the NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts). Read more →

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Indian Travels

James Asher Group Plays Delhi Wedding – December 13th 2008

India has cropped up through my life many times, with sufficient strength to leave me in no doubt as to the strength of that connection. After my initial visit to Rajasthan in 1997 the seeds of fascination for me were sown, and Tigers of the Raj was born. Then having the good fortune to meet Sivamani at a later point the journey extended and diversified into other strands and the Drums on Fire album. Then with my more recent work with Mahesh Vinayakram, that interest continues to thrive – and our album Bravado Masala. Each of these three albums have been released in India, and with that to whatever extent an audience of listeners who enjoy these adventurous leaps into the area of fusion. Read more →

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Home & Travel

My life in Sussex continues to evolve, and my creative activities continue to expand. Considerable time goes into the exploration of visual work, both in the form of photography and video work. On the video front I am still developing my project with the excellent Italian dancer Francesca Miceli Lillith, and more can be read and seen of this on the DVD recordings page.

Musically I continue to write and perform. Writing wise, for some time I have wondered how best to encompass the issue of creating music in quite a broad range of various different styles, which can then mean ending up with collections of different tracks, which lend themselves less to forming complete albums in their own rights. The arrival of the download era provides a good solution to this in offering the possibility of generating individual pieces or tunes which can enjoy a validity in their own right. Read more →

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Pathaan’s Indian Sunset

Pathaan's Indian Sunset

Catalogue #: ALTURACD1 Label: Altura Music Year of Release: 2004 Track 5, “Prayer Wheel”, features on the James Asher album “Tigers of the Raj“. Pathaan’s Indian Sunset Globetrotting DJ and producer Pathaan has been a leading light in the development of the Asian music scene and its growing recognition by the worlds media. Having held and holding residencies in London, Barcelona, New York, Milan as well as the famous Kumharas beach in Ibiza, Pathaan has spread his gospel sound far and wide and writes for several publications including Indobrit and DJ Magazine. Sit back and glisten as here he brings together the cream of Asian influenced chillout music including many exclusive and rare musical gems from unknown and renowned artists.

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Inner Balance

Inner Balance

Catalogue #: NE 2402-2
Label: New Earth
Year of Release: 2004

Track 6, “Lotus Path” features on the James Asher album “Lotus Path“.

Inner Balance Music for Yoga & the Healing Arts. Inner Balance is a collection of music specifically chosen to enliven the spirit and settle the mind. Featuring the best artists in the wellness and lifestyle music genres, Inner Balance establishes an atmosphere of leisure, relaxation and rejuvenation.

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The Rough Guide to the Asian Underground

The Rough Guide to the Asian Underground

Catalogue #: RGNET1096CD
Label: World Music Network
Year of Release: 2003

Track 1, “Further East”, features on the James Asher album “Tigers of the Raj“.

The Rough Guide to the Asian Underground. Musical styles and genres have always been blended together, as cultures intersect, to form new sounds and push the boundaries of experimentation. This has been felt in the UK where one of the most exciting forms of music to emerge in the last decade, Asian Underground, is a world of tabla-driven beats, Indian Classical samples and frenetic drum ‘n bass, trip hop and techno. Including artists that have achieved phenomenal success around the globe, The Rough Guide to the Asian Underground showcases this British-Asian hybrid with a collection of solid scene classics and fresh unreleased material.

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Claude Challe & Friends – Je Nous Aime

Claude Challe & Friends - Je Nous Aime

Catalogue #: 3085052
Label: Chal’O Music
Year of Release: 2003

Track 10 (disc two), “Amma”, features on the James Asher album “Drums on Fire“.

Claude Challe & Friends – Je Nous Aime. In 1963 Claude Challe opened the first salon in Paris which fused hairdressing and music. He was dubbed “The man with the golden scissors”. In 1971 he opened his first boutique selling jeans and luxury second-hand clothes, followed quickly by his first club, Le Priv. In 1979 he launched Le Centre Ville, his first high-tech restaurant, a project conceived with designer Starck. In 1985 he founded the famous club Les Bains with Hubert Boukobza. In 1992 he opened a new club, El Divino, in Ibiza. Then, in 1993, in the Parisian Radio Nova, he created Magic, a new age music program which was the first of its kind. In 1996 he started his DJ career with Buddha Bar, released on the famous label ChallOMusic, followed by a string of successful compilations such as Les Bains Douches, Buddha Bar 1 & 2 and Nirvana Lounge. In 2003 he released his first album, “Je Nous Aime”.

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Dances of Ecstasy

Dances of Ecstasy

Catalogue #: OA0872D
Label: Opus Arte
Year of Release: 2003

Track 1 (disc two), “Amma”, features on the James Asher & Sivamani album ‘Drums on Fire‘ and track 10 (disc 2), “Tabasco Rhythm”, features on James Ashers album ‘Globalarium‘. Disc 2 also contains James Asher’s first published video to accompany the hidden track “Zammo-Zansa”, which features on James Asher’s album ‘Globalarium‘.

Dances of Ecstasy Featuring James Ashers first published video to accompany the track “Zammo-Zansa”, Dances of Ecstasy is a double DVD of Michelle Mahrer and Nicole Ma’s celebrated documentary film which explores how different people around the world connect through rhythm, dance and music. Disc 2 features a spellbinding global music soundtrack including tracks by James Asher (with psychedelic visuals by D-Fuse) and the hidden track “Zammo-Zansa” by James Asher.

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Tribal Works 2

Tribal Works 2

Catalogue #: TDFWM 130P
Label: George V Records
Year of Release: 2003

Track 12 (disc one), “Spice Souk”, features on the James Asher album “Raising the Rhythms“.

Tribal Works 2 mixed by Sam Popat. Since the beginning of time Man has communicated music using different instruments. I wanted to recreate a fusion of traditional percussion and contemporary electronic music. I have been hoping that through this selection I would transmit my vibrations. Sam Popat.

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Fast Forward

Fast Forward

Catalogue #: NE 2211-2
Label: New Earth
Year of Release: 2002

Track 8, “Royal Blue”, features on the James Asher album “Feet in the Soil 2“.

Fast Forward on New Earth Beat. World Dance, Chillout and Trance. An explosive collection of earth-flavored chillout, melodic trance, and electronica, served up by a roster of outstanding international remixers and DJs.

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Pathaan’s Small World

Pathaan's Small World

Catalogue #: SARCD009
Label: Stoned Asia Music
Year of Release: 2002

Track 3 on disc one features James Asher, under the artist pseudonym Platform, with “August Moon” which features on James Ashers album “Globalarium“.

Pathaan’s Small World The first instalment of the 24 track mixed ‘Small World’ project, which takes the label beyond the Asian-influenced beat, to encompass influences from all over the world, creating a truly global musical blueprint.

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Pathaan presents Stoned Asia 4

Pathaan presents Stoned Asia 4

Catalogue #: SARCD010
Label: Stoned Asia Music
Year of Release: 2002

Track 5, “Send in the Tribes”, features on the James Asher album “Globalarium“.

Pathaan presents Stoned Asia 4 Following on from the international success of Stoned Asia Music edition 1,2 & 3, the fourth in the series continues to invite you into Pathaan’s world of authentic rhythmic chants blended with ambient grooves and global beats. Here we have Pathaan taking us on one of his musical excursions – Stoned Asia Music Edition 4 – with names you may recognise but for sure, some you won’t; which can happily sit in World Music sections of stores seeping in tradition, yet enchanting in its’ relevance for today’s discerning clubber.

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