The music of the Raga Bop Trio is an organic blend of jazz, rock, funk, afro-caribbean and Indian classical music. In this music there is the strong influence of western harmony and melody as well as U.S. grooves and Euro-jazz atmospheric feels. From the Indian side, George Brooks brings his expertise in north Indian Hindustani music and Prasanna - being from Chennai, India - is an expert in south Indian Carnatic music. I grew up with the U.S. jazz/groove concept and starting in 2002 I’ve incorporated north and south Indian rhythms into my playing. For me, the distinctive quality of the Raga Bop Trio is that the writing and playing employ a seamless amalgamation of all the individual components.
On his CD Lasting Impression, Brooks' devotion to jazz, blues, and Indian music comes across loud and clear. With "Taj Express," the CD's opening cut, Brooks blows warm and resonating tones over a backdrop of stinging syncopation. Brooks and his all-star band play with ease in the song's odd-metered choruses and post-bop inspired heads. As with the rest of the songs on the album, Brooks and friends make the complicated passages of "Taj Express" fly by without the slightest hint of strain.
Bristling with east meets west polytonality and rhythmic intrigue and tinged with a Trane-like spirituality… Blowing gorgeous tones and fluidly unraveling complex ideas…(Brooks) succeeds to a startling and almost rapturous degree.
Presenting Rare Gems from Richard Strauss: Reference Recordings is proud to present our first album with the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble, conducted and produced by George Vosburgh.
Songwriter, band leader, and background vocalist Larry Cordle invited several of his famous friends to join him on the album, appropriately titled All-Star Duets, with songs Larry wrote for them. Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Kevin Denny, Diamond Rio, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Daryle Singletary, Travis Tritt, Del McCoury, Rick Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood all make appearances on the project.