GARAJ MAHAL

Fusion • United States
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Garaj Mahal is a four piece band, based in the United States, playing a fusion of jazz, Indian music, rock, and especially funk: Kai Eckhardt (bass), Fareed Haque (guitars), Alan Hertz (drums), Sean Rickman (drums) and Eric Levy (keys). The band was formed in 2000 with the largely fulfilled expectation that the technical virtuosity each band member has been known for would bring about great music. They are one of the modern low- to mid-profile bands that allow their music to be recorded live at shows, and distributed in torrents, and musical archives. In early 2007, Mahal's "Blueberry Cave" won in The 6th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Jam Album.[1]

According to Bassist Kai Eckhardt the band has disbanded with no plans to play again.

After 11 years of touring, nine albums recorded and roughly 1000 shows played, the East/West Coast band Garaj Mahal has put an end to its appearances.
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GARAJ MAHAL Mondo Garaj album cover 4.00 | 2 ratings
Mondo Garaj
Fusion 2003
GARAJ MAHAL Blueberry Cave album cover 5.00 | 1 ratings
Blueberry Cave
Fusion 2005
GARAJ MAHAL w00t album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
w00t
Fusion 2008
GARAJ MAHAL More Mr. Nice Guy album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
More Mr. Nice Guy
Fusion 2010

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GARAJ MAHAL Live, Volume I album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Live, Volume I
Fusion 2003

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GARAJ MAHAL Reviews

GARAJ MAHAL Mondo Garaj

Album · 2003 · Fusion
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
darkshade
It's obvious these guys love their 70s jazz-rock/fusion, and 90s/2000s jazz-funk. But these guys also like to throw in some electronic stuff, and also some world music, most notably on this album Indian music.

The album opens up with the funky title track. Lots of slap bass, and an initial favorite when I first heard this album. It's funky, but there is some interesting interplay between the keys and guitar.

There's a lot of cool tracks here featuring funky rhythms, and some Indian-influenced flavors. A couple of tracks have a strong John Scofield feel, ala Uberjam. But also Big Fun by Miles Davis comes to mind, with a lot of Sitar playing.

There's even a Frank Zappa moment in the song "Poodle Factory". (anyone get the double joke?). However I am reminded of bands like Telefon Tel Aviv when I hear the electric piano, but it only lasts a few seconds.

There is also a Soulive/Lettuce feel too. Great beats and a little DJ scratching thrown in. Lots of funk. It's hard for me to call this "jazz-funk" though. Sure, there's a lot of funky moments, and there's almost always a groovin' beat, but there's so much more to this music than funk, you can't stick that label to it. There is a good amount of world music, mixed with classic sounds of the 70s fusion artist, but in no way is this retro-sounding. It very much sounds like a modern, progressive recording.

If you enjoy works by John Scofield, Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive, and Lettuce, you will love this album.

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