Charles Lloyd: Sangam & Friends

Contemplative sax and flute master Charles Lloyd pays tribute to his late friend and compatriot Zakir Hussain on this mystical meditation of songs with Vijay Prakash/ voc, Rakesh Chaurasia/bansuri, Sabir Khan/sarangi, Ranjit Barot/key and Niladri Kumar/sitar. The album plays out like a collection of South Asian jams, veering toward California’s Esalen Institute.

With passionate voice in conjunction, Lloyd uses his tenor with cerebral abstraction on “Clear The Dust Away””, and is fluffy on the ethereal “Eternal Dreamer” with Barot’s keys hovering like a cloud. Lloyd’s flute takes part in some Indian jams and chutneys, gliding over the percussion on “Tagore” and creating serenity over the rumbles on “Jai Ganga”. Lloyd’s tenor is most fluffy around the woody vibes on “Bharati’s Dance” and takes part in the chant of the fragrant “Sam On The Ganges”. East of the sun.