From the soaring opening notes of the first tune "Akbar", to the final fade of "Yaad Bhagavati", Mohenjo Daro's Jim Feist takes you on a mystical Mughal Journey. The earthshaking, heavy tabla rhythms are ornamented beautifully with wonderfully elegant melodies, all of which are rendered masterfully. The odd groupings of the rhythms in tunes like Akbar (7 beats), Battle of Panipat (9+7), Kandula (2+3+1), Shah Jahan (7.5), and Anarkali (4.5) are the catalyst for fresh melodies to be interlaced, completely devoid of the status quo. Mumtaz has the main melody played by tuned tabla and is marked by a trance like rhythm and an understated melody. Shah Jahan has a contemporary sound but is steeped in the Indian rhythmic tradition. Other Songs: Punjabi Dhaba will remind you of that train ride through Jalander Punjab, as All India Radio (1968) takes one back to a magical time in Indian radio. Simple Green Bol is Bond meets Nehru with guitar, tabla, and spoken tabla. The album closes out with the trance-like "Yaad Bhagavati" which was inspired by the temple of the same name on the west coast of India inviting the listener to allow themselves to be taken to the place that only music can take you... This record was inspired by the frequent travels in India by the author. Jim has traveled many times to Aurangabad, Delhi, and Agra, all of which have stunning examples of Mughal architecture. Mughal architecture itself can be called a fusion of Persian, Islamic and Hindu styles. This style spread widely under the rule of Akbar the Great. This fusion of styles (rhythmically and melodically) can be found in the music on this record. Thank you for supporting independent music. Jim Feist's music has been used on The Travel Channel, Nat Geo, and The History Channel. It can also be heard on a whole host of T.V shows and commercials including the hit American shows 'Nashville", Stitchers, Hawaii Five -0 and Common Law to name a few. His music is heard on the smash hit Australian t.v. show, "Aussie Goes Bolly" (produced and narrated by Hugh Jackman) His music can be heard on New Zealand's T.V show "Intrepid Journey's", the French show "Rendez Vous Chez Moi Indie", the British hit "East Enders", the Israeli nature series "Outdoor Room", the popular MTV show "Made", the Australian show "Off the Radar", and the Canadian show "Bad Girls Club". He composed and performed music for the documentary "Made in India?" and the wonderful documentary "Smile". He has provided music for an important video for the organization "Saathi" (Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India) and also co-wrote music for the "Oxygen" cable channel. He is a tabla player/composer from Ohio, founding member of the group "Mohenjo Daro" and teaches tabla at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music at U.C. He is also a Presonus and Oktava U.S.A Artist as well as a Senior Performing Fellow at the American Institute of Indian Studies. All songs by Jim Feist (ASCAP Copyright 2016) (Simple Green Bol co-written with Pete Hicks) Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Jim Feist Mastered by William Alletzhauser All songs performed by Jim Feist Featuring: Johnny Ruzsa- flute on track 8 and 3 Zachary J Mechlem- guitar and banjo on track 2,4 and guitar on track 8 Andy Mohler- sax on track 1 Stefan Fiol- sitar on track 3 Shubhangi Feist- radio voice on track 7 Pete Hicks - guitar on track 9 Kanniks Kannikeswaran- violin track 10 Beth Merkle- vocals on track 10 Cover design: Bill Alletzhauser Cover photo's: Jim Feist