Local
Grooves
Dhamaal
Soundsystem
Dhamaal Soundsystem (self-released)
The sounds of the Asian underground have been steadily on the rise for some
time now, bringing up names like Talvin Singh, Karsh Kale, and Tabla
Beat Science. But there are also a host of lesser known but equal talents
like New Delhi's MIDIval Punditz, U.K.'s Badmarsh and Shri, and San
Francisco's own Dhamaal Soundsystem, which was formed by Janaka Selecta
and Maneesh the Twister at the height of the dot-com bubble. Dhamaal's
first performances were charity benefits, but they have evolved into
organic happenings where psychedelic visuals form a rich accompaniment
to the interplay of tradition and experimentation, acoustic and electronic,
East and West. This collection has eight songs, each penned by
a different member of the collective but reflecting influences that
share the stage in an unusually equal manner. Tracks like Adheesh Sathaye's
"Re/volution" seamlessly integrate deep bass rumbles and synth
squelches with nimble tablas and restrained string samples. The disc
takes flight on the regal downtempo spread of Janaka's "Chandraya,"
with soaring qawwali vocals from Sukhawat Ali Khan, and the album's
standout, "Tazan Lookout," with a welcome break from drum
'n' bass beats in favor of a deliciously murky techno feel. Dhamaal
Soundsystem perform Sat/22, Club Six, 60 Sixth St., S.F. (415) 863-1221.
(Peter Nicholson)
Sonny Smith
One Act Plays
(Watchword Press)
As his half-cracked smile and elemental lounge-folk arrangements suggest, local songwriter Sonny Smith isn't a particularly indulgent fellow. But if a theater with a suitable stage, a donkey suit, and the right amount of beer were available, and if the local cast of characters (played by Mark Eitzel, Virgil Shaw, Jolie Holland, Peggy Honeywell, Andy Cabic, Chris Kaup, Jamie Berger, and others) came to play, Smith couldn't possibly forgo a proper theatrical performance of his One Act Plays. Lyrically, Smith's subtle, patient words personalize the dusty topics of Americana he explored on his 2003 effort, This Is My Story, This Is My Song. The opener, "The Terrible Truth," features Eitzel and Shaw confessing their alcoholic vulnerability to the tune of a shaky bar piano. While most of the record moves gently, waltzing with guitar, piano, or organ arrangements, Smith does mix it up a bit. The wailing sax-screech that induces a sweet jazzy slink on "Eddie and Rita," is a wonderful departure over which Eugene Chen and Akire Chen playfully debate their love. And "Teresa's Dive Café," the honky-tonk guitar squeal is fitting accompaniment to Lauri Hall's eccentric vibrato. Coming from within your stereo, Smith's monologues and untempered musical tangents may wear on your patience, but imagine it all onstage, and the details will tide you over. One Act Plays is part of local literary magazine Watchword Press's sixth issue. Release party, Sun/23, Dark Room, 2263 Mission, S.F. (415) 407-2952. (Ethan Goldwater)
