The UK’s foremost Electronic music festival returns one again in the lush environs of Houghton Hall.  The idyllic greenery of Englands finest will play host to a plethora of stages and sounds that would keep any techno bunny or psychedelic rainbow warrior indulged in his sonic selections of choice for a whole weekend.

Our very own Darren Sangita (aka Noodreem / Ashirvad)  & Jon Sangita (aka E.S.P)  have been invited to share their sounds, playing a mix of favoured selections from their stashbag of  aural delights in the worlds of dub, ambient electronica and world fusion, blended seamlessly with their own compositions.

Having played at many GLADE festivals in previous years, we can say with certainty that this will be a gathering of the tribes to remember.  The promise of great things looms large on the horizon.  Prepare for a Cosmic Lift off of epic proportions!!!    Shanti Aum.

Here is a full line up of Artists to appear at the GLADE FESTIVAL 2012:-

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The wonderful folks at THE KABIR PROJECT have informed us of advent of their excellent Kabir Festival in Mumbai.  From  17th – 19th February 2012, the festival plays host to a full spectrum of musicians from across India who sing Kabir Songs in a variety of regional dialects and musical moods.  The most gracious Padma Shree awardee, Prahlad Tipanya and party will be there once again as will the ever exuberant Mukhtiyar Ali and party.  If you are in Mumbai it is highly recommended you attend!

 Kabir Festival is focused to introduce the audiences of Mumbai to the message of Kabir which is perhaps even more relevant today than it was in his time. A confluence of films as well as live folk music by folk artist from different parts of India including Rajasthan, Kutch, Malwa. The three days of the festival will have multiple events at different locations, all completely free and open to the public on first-come-first-served basis.

For more info on Kabir Project :- www.kabirproject.org

Click “READ MORE” to see the official listing for the events taking place on 17th – 19th February 2012…

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Syrian Disco @ Glastonbury Festival

The BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury Festival 2011 seemed to include only one “World Music” artist, Omar Souleyman from Syria.  His set was a fantastic opportunity to embrace something of the spirit of the modern Syrian music format which was one guy on synths (playing both traditional melodic riffs  and percussive fills) and a Setar player doubling up on the riffs, and Omar himself who was not so much the lead singer, but the charismatic front man who was the face of the music, occasionally giving shououts to himself or singing a little riff on the main melody line.  Most of all he was looking cool in his shades and middle eastern attire .

The sonic spectrum of electronica that they were using are characterised by the basic and rawness that is typical of modern middle eastern popular music. Keyboards must be able to use Quarter tones in order to play the traditional melodic riffs and bigger synthesiser manufacturers like Korg, Roland & Yamaha do not market synths with quarter tone capability, so its down to smaller manufacturers like GEM to cater for the Specialist Middle Eastern / Arabic music markets. Our Moroccan musician friends have a special additional pad plugged into their GEM keyboard, that was used to shift tunings on the main keyboard, allowing them to reach all the notes they needed for each composition.

Of course, in many ways I would have preferred to hear these tunes played by a 15 piece Arabic Ensemble with Oud, Setar, Tar, Daf and Doumbak. But part of the raw charm of the music comes form being part of the typical sound of Arabic Pop.

Photos by Valerio Berdini

Buy the album from Omar Souleyman on the awesome label, Sublime Frequencies.

Omar Souleyman: Jazeera Nights

Download the Album

Ashirvad / Noodreem & DJ Darren Sangita at Boom Festival 2010.

Boom Festival 2010 ,the epic multi-disciplinary  psychedelic arts festival in Portugal play host to Sangita Sounds artists.

Ashirvad & Noodreem will be playing live sets in the Ambient Paradise and DJ Darren Sangita will be playing a 4 hour epic set.  This illustrious festival has been going for a decade and is the foremost of its kind.  With 25,000 cosmic spirits in attendace it will surely be an epic collective of high minds and light beings

The new album from Ashirvad, which will have a full release in September is to have a proper outing at the Boom.  Featuring numerous classical musicians from India, tracks from this spiritually soaked epic electroacoustic album is sure to create transcendental waves for surfing into bliss!   Noodreem will also be sharing his latest sonic excursions and ambient trance vibrations in exquisite sonic style, with his latest tracks being born in the Mystical town of Glastonbury.

DJ Darren Sangita will weave an exotic blend of mystical grooves, illuminating dubs and ethnospheric shimmers in his inimitable style.  Join him to know the pleasures of sharing a sonic journey around the world and landing back just in time for tea!  Expect to reach depths that touch the bottom of the Ocean and Highs that match any Himalayan vista.

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