Philtre

I am a big fan of all genres of music especially music from around the world. I recommend this CD

This is the first album by Sawhney that I've purchased and I like it very much. There's a good variety of music and languages on this disc. I highly recommend it!

How can you not like Nitin Sawhney? I'm 62, but my teenage students like him, as well. He is internationally hip.

I totally agree with the Editorial Review.The identity of this album eluded me for 5 years.In 2005 I heard a couple of great tracks on the radio but never found out who the artist was nor did I realise it was the same artist.In 2010 a friend put this album on I heard these great tracks again and so found out who it was and immediately ordered it.Fantastic fusion.

I'll admit to being biased to Nitin Sawney, to the extent that I think the guy can do no wrong (virtually) - this album, just as good- while the lyrics are kinda vacuous compared to 'Prophesy', "Philtre" (means medicine, or something) is essentially a feel-good album in an entirely non-vacuous sense- and the better material, as always, is the stuff without vocals or lyrics.How does this guy do it? He continually comes up with not just new material, but new approaches- there's no way to differentiate between the flamenco, the drum & bass, the hiphop and the IDM/middle-eastern themes - everything combines to one tune.Not his best work - he seems too settled now to bring up the subtler emotions and confusion of 'Beyond Skin' but still wonderful music- just more restful than his previous performances.m@

Writer, producer, DJ, composer & arranger Par excellence - Nitin Sawhney has done it again with PHILTRE, a metamorphosis of cultures, sounds & emotions. As good as "Human", Philtre seems to travel the world with diverse influences from India (very obviously)& Latin America.The most fantastic quality of Nitin's music is that he makes a statement with every track; he is political (although he denies it) but every track here is treated with LOVEOutstanding tracks -1. Flipside2. Everything3. Spark4. Mirage5. ThrowIf you have not tried NS yet, try him with Philtre ... You will not regret it

I own every album by Nitin Sawhney except one. He is one of the rare artists whose albums I buy without listening to a music sample first.This particular album is superb and a wonderful introduction to his previous work. This is music for the soul, especially the gypsy soul.This is the kind of music that will lift your soul whether you enjoy it alone or with company.It's the perfect soundtrack for life's contemplative or creative moments.I play Nitin Sawhney whenever I have friends over and they always end up seduced and compelled by the beauty of his music.Don't deprive yourself of a mesmerizing experience.Dive into Nitin's music now!

I own every album produced by this Nitin. The man never ceases to amaze me. This album is such a lush soundscape of electronically fused cultural music. The album takes you through one of the best journeys that Nitin Sawhney provides for my ears. I especially love the track "Dead Man"

Nitin Sawhney has always been one of those very interesting artists who is always looking to experiment with new styles of music, sounds and instruments. On "Philtre", his 7th studio album, he experiments with the darker side of Trip-Hop and R&B whilst still retaining the Indian influences and manages to create yet again another superb album."Everything" is a magical slice of Trip-Hop with dark beats, arrangements and intriguing vocals making it an instant highlight. "Spark" lends itself to Trip-Hop once again but is much more atmospheric and laid back. "Dead Man" blends Hip-Hop beats with Blues inspired arrangements, elements of Rap and Indian vocals to create a very original sounding song. "Mausam" is a much more uplifting song with sweet Indian vocals and arrangements, a gentle rhythm and a overall stronger Pop vibe and is the second highlight on this album. "Journey" is a mesmerising Jazz influenced R&B flavoured track with Jungle beats that kick in towards the middle of the song. There is indeed a lot of diversity on "Philtre" - "Void" is a short track with breathy vocal harmonies and flute improvisations, "Koyal" blends heavy R&B/Hip-Hop beats with Indian singing and sounds whilst the two following tracks "Noches En Vela (Part 1 & Part 2)" focus on Spanish vocal arrangements and Flamenco style guitar playing. All of these tracks are great in their own way, but my favorite creation on here is the following track "Throw" which is a very beautiful R&B track with an infectious chorus. "Flipside" is a Funk inspired catchy song, "Footprints" is another effective upbeat Spanish inspired song and "The Search" another rhythmic Indian creation with heavy Jungle beats. The final short track "Sanctuary" is a calm instrumental ending the album on a peaceful zen note.Nitin Sawhney is a very clever songwriter as he is able to blend a variety of different styles whilst still managing to create an album that works well as a whole - each track sits perfectly next to another and the moods of "Philtre" create a river of sound and give the listener a lot of choice. "Philtre" is one of Nitin Sawhney's finest releases to date.

I'd only heard snippets of Nitin Sawhney before I bought this album, but that didn't worry me as I'm used to buying on instinct. My instinct once again proved itself because I just lurve this album and it's been played lots in the short time I've had it. Without picking out individual tracks for specific comments (after all, I'm no expert), I'd like to comment on the whole album. Philtre is a journey spanning 3 continents, taking elements from each and either using them independently (as in the soulful tracks) or fusing them in a delightful way that made me realise how close Spanish and Indian music can be.To sum up - an intricate blend that gives the mind of the listener something to chew over. The album as a whole has an upbeat flavour that I find great for either driving or writing. See what you make of it yourself - I doubt you'll be disappointed if you like diverse influences.

great

I allways look forward to a Nitin Sawhney album , I've seen this genius live and his post Beyond Skin albums are the most appealing, to me . After the masterpieces Beyond Skin and prophesy, Human left me uncertain of Sawhney's direction. For Philtre Nitin Sawhney is back to the diversity of his cocktail of Asian flava's, latin,flamenco, drum and base, electronica,housy soul with a variety of guests. The tempoe for Philtre is down beat dark yet refreshing, the vocals superb , there's still Sawhney's sidekick Tina Grace singing on tracks .Philtre is a continuation of the enchanting chilled out experience of Nitin Sawhney, as he ventures in to newer directions. My only complaint is why it's taken me so long to discover Philtre. And also How can such an outstanding collection have been passed by as it's as good as Beyond Skin and Prophesy!

Nitin Sawhney sait ce qu'est le downtempo. Mais contrairement à beaucoup de ses frères spirituels (ne parlons pas des tablas de Talvin Singh !), Nitin en connaît un rayon en pop, en musique orientale, en rock, en blues ("Dead Man' le prouve), en folk, en rap, en flamenco ("Footprints') en chants traditionnels et en électronica !Philtre suit la logique instaurée par "Human' et s'éloigne donc encore un peu plus de l'univers décalé et plus trip-hop de "Beyond Skin' (hormis le titre "Koyal (Songbird)), afin d'offrir une luxueuse myriade de styles musicaux en seulement 17 titres. Jamais la musique de Nitin n'a brassé autant de styles avec une clarté aussi précise dans la production. Avec quasiment un invité par piste, Philtre a ses moments d'émotion fragile comme "Mausam' (avec des flûtes aériennes côtoyant les voix de Reena Bhardwaj & Murtaza Khan) et d'autres plus vibrant comme "Journey' et son piano brossant une pop drum'n'bass.Encore une fois, cet album sera interprété par 2 populations : celle qui peut encore être séduite par un patchwork de ballades bien menées et séduisantes ; d'autres, trop sollicités peut-être, auront une sensation de nostalgie et passeront leur chemin par un simple "oui, c'est pas mal...'.Certes, Nitin avance, et pas forcément là où on aurait voulu qu'il aille... mais il est déjà loin, dans un pays musical foisonnant et mirobolant : le sien !