Ishta: Ishta (Monkey)

 |   |  <1 min read

Ishta: Drop the Soap
Ishta: Ishta (Monkey)

Listening to this multiculti outfit from Auckland qualifies you for frequent flyer points: the line-up has musicians from Dutch, Kiwi, Israeli, Indian and French backgrounds; and the instrumental artillery on display includes sitar, saxophone, didgeridoo, guitar, flute and double bass. All of which could make for an unworkable implosion of world fusion, if it weren't for the keen sensibilities on display.

When the eight-minute second track - Butterfly - takes flight around the midpoint in a maelstrom of flute, sitar and tabla drums (with didgeridoo offering guttural sonic punctuation), it makes for a thrilling and heady brew. The interplay of sax and sitar brings to mind the most gutsy passages on Ali Akbar Khan and John Handy's 1975 album Karuna Supreme.

They are equally impressive in quieter moments (De La Tierra and Drop the Soap which suggest the Indo-jazz group Oregon, Muhashaba featuring the entrancing vocals of Josephine Costain) and the folk-pop of Ramjhula.

Sole disappointments are Sababa, and Sing Your Song which undermines the impression that Ishta otherwise have a sound that is as attractive as it is individual.

Like the idea of this? Then check out these pages.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

Arooj Aftab: Night Reign (digital outlets)

Arooj Aftab: Night Reign (digital outlets)

Among the many rewards of listening to music is the constant discovery of artists old and new. At Elsewhere barely a week goes by when we don't stumble on some odd track worthy of an entry From the... > Read more

Various: Marabi Africa (Marabi/Ode)

Various: Marabi Africa (Marabi/Ode)

This excellent 17-track compilation is an ideal introduction to the diverse and exciting music coming out of various parts of Africa these days. It also opens with Nebine, the best track off... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

DIONNE WARWICK; AN INTRODUCTION TO DIONNE WARWICK, CONSIDERED (2023): Impossible to walk on by her

DIONNE WARWICK; AN INTRODUCTION TO DIONNE WARWICK, CONSIDERED (2023): Impossible to walk on by her

Yes, she was sometimes a little flaky (adding an “e” to her surname at the recommendation of her astrologer, infomercials on the Psychic Network) and sometimes had a troubled life... > Read more

Elsewhere Art . . . Frank Zappa #2

Elsewhere Art . . . Frank Zappa #2

To be honest, I'm not sure if this collage was ever used. I have no record of it appearing on any article and maybe I just did it because . . . I could? I know when I did it I was thinking... > Read more