Bourbon & Rosewater
The North Indian Bhatt stretches in a different direction for this collaboration with country/bluegrass dobro virtuoso Douglas and bassist Meyer, Douglas's frequent partner in Nashville. Both the dobro and the upright bass employ sliding tones, of course, and are quite compatible with Bhatt's mohan vina. All but one of the eight tunes on this all-instrumental album were written by one or more of the three musicians, and they come up with lovely, shimmering, legato lines. Instead of the earthy qualities elicited by Mahal's blues, Douglas and Meyer bring out the yearning and melodic qualities of Bhatt's playing with the result that this is Bhatt's most tuneful and accessible project yet.--Geoffrey Himes