Talvin Singh – OK (1998)

Can you hear Talvin sing sang Half Man Half Biscuit in 2003, about Anglo-Indian dance and world musician.

Well, I hadn't, so I bought this album for a quid in a charity shop, about a decade ago. I've finally got round to listening to it.

It's a fusion of dance, drum & bass and Indian instrumentation and themes, which at times works, and at times doesn't. If I'm honest, not of these genes fusing are particularly to my taste, but there are some interesting sounds.

My peaks are opener Traveller, an ambient start, with a drum & bass sound which fades into the background before finishing with and orchestral section, and Mombasstic, with some fantastic slow jazz trumpet from Byron Wallace.

But much of the rest just washes over me into the background, or towards the end of the album, starts to annoy.

There's nothing wrong with trying new stuff, but you've sometimes got to admit when it just isn't for you.

Link to album tracks

2* - I'm sure it's great if it's your sound, but it's not really my thing at all.