Other groundbreaking features on this album are unique combinations of uncommon Indian drums, and original self-build "African-basses" such as in Om Dum, Jai Jai, and Sudan.

Edward plays all the Afro-bass tracks but Ulf Gjerdingen (Sweden), fills the bottom end beautifully with contrabass (and ebass) on the remaining tracks. No long bass solos but Ulf adds his incredibly tasty touch in various highlighted moments. There is so much more to say about this CD, but the best thing is simply to sit down, relax, have a cup of tea, put on some headphones, listen..... and ENJOY!

Sandeep is a musical genius and an unmatched Indian music enthusiast. He began at an early age as a rock and jazz drummer in his native Switzerland, but began traveling to India at the age of 20. Sandeep wasted no time and on his first trip to India went directly to Benares and to the house of Pandit Ishwalal Mishra to begin tabla studies in earnest. Since then Sandeep has spent over 10 years in India and aside from becoming an outstanding tabla player, has acquired an astonishing knowledge and ability on just about every drum and playing style of the subcontinent. When in Benares Sandeep divided his time and attention between the classical tabla and folk nakara. What is almost totally unheard of for a Westerner, Sandeep was "adopted" into a nakara family who's joint household is in a village on the outskirts of Benares. Sandeep lived with them for years, learned to speak their dialect fluently, and becoming part of the family.

Sandeep also spent extensive periods in South India studying the sophisticated Carnatic system of classical percussion. Edward and Sandeep met many times in India and spent there several periods of study and performance together.

In just a few short years Ulf, from Sweden, has managed to become the number one bassist in the Czech Republic, and on top of that has mastered the extremely difficult Czech language. Ulf plays is so many high level bands it is a wonder he can cope, but being still under 30 it is perhaps understandable. Ulf loves Edward music because it is particularly challenging for bass, but at the same time groovy. Ulf's playing is strong, warm, and witty, especially on this CD where he takes great advantage of his solo moments.

A versatile and talented percussionist native to Vienna, Pat began as many others as a progressive rock drummer. Before long Pat began traveling to India for long periods and while there acquired a profound attraction to Buddhism. Since then Pat dedicated his efforts entirely in the direction of Oriental percussion. This inspiration began first with an intensive period of tabla study and later Persian and Arabic drumming. Pat now performs in a wide variety of venues and with several top Austrian World music, Celtic, and Early music groups.

Karin Gelnarová - voice

Edward and Karin met in 2002 when Edward chanced to see her perform with one of Czech finest pianists in the duo "Lecba Neklidem" (translated meaning: "cure through disturbance"). Edward was greatly impressed by her voice and the two became friends. Balancing maternal dutys with music Karin is one of Czech's most respected jazz singers.

Elena Kubicková - esraj

Elena is a long-time player of bowed instruments. Fully trained in the Western classical art of violin, she later chose the esraj (rare and unusual Indian instrument with sound similar to the sarangi) as her main instrument. Beginning with experimental minimalist/meditative music she soon discovered that her true musical path is in North Indian classical music. She is based in Prague and frequently collaborates with top level Hindustani musicians.

Niel Golden - tabla

Niel Golden is a legend of Western Canada's tabla and Indian music scene. He has been studying (with the best) and performing tabla for numerous decades and is now considered the authority on Indian music in Victoria, B.C.. Over the years Niel has founded several renowned ensembles and produced many Cds, most notably with groups New Earth and Djole.

Currently Niel tours with "up and coming" prominent artists Harry Manx, and Galitcha. Niel has composed a ground breaking suite of tabla and orchestra which has been preformed on several occasions by Niel and the Vancouver Inter-cultural Orchestra.

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