The New Earth

If it's Indian classical music you're looking for, you'll want to look elsewhere. However, unlike the many Western dilettantes who have picked up the sitar over the years, Al Gromer Khan doesn't just approach the instrument as an exotic novelty or a facile way to hint at spiritual depth. On the unfortunately titled Sitar Secrets he creates original compositions that refer to classical forms without being bound by them, and that convey a sense of contemplative wonder without pretending to any goal more transcendent than that. The opening track bears the wry (one hopes) title "I Got Vilayat Khan's Blessing" and features what is either a very convincing synthesized vocal track or an uncredited female singer who breathily accompanies his gently meandering sitar and sparse hand percussion.