Midival Punditz
The Midival Punditz are Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, childhood chums from New Delhi who have partnered into a dynamic duo with their feet firmly planted in the worlds of recording, remixing, performing, and scene making. Effortlessly blending classical ragas and instrumentation with the beats, loops, and digital technology of contemporary electronic dance music, they produce a fusion that is listenable and danceable in equal measure. Violin, flute, tabla, various percussion, the hammer-dulcimer-likesantur, and a wide variety of voices generally take the lead, while the beats and blips keep everything moving underneath. From the atmospheric "Air" to the hard and heavy "Insite," the Punditz display and impressive and deeply satisfying instinct for synthesis. A clear hit for anyone who appreciatesTalvin Singh,State of Bengal, and the rest of the Asian Massive movement, this self-titled debut should also be a real eye and ear opener for anyone with a sense of musical adventure.--Carl Hanni