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Real Music Corporate LogoVisionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit

Crosswinds - World Flute Conversations

Crosswinds - World Flute Conversations by Rajendra Teredesai

A lovely collision of music and art, Teredesai plays a flute from a different country on each track and you really can hear and feel the difference inherent in the slightly different but same instruments.” —Midwest Record

“For the last several years I’ve desired to record an album featuring the vast musical canvas of flutes from around the world.  Showcased here are the cultures of India, Tibet, America, Arabia, Bali, and China. Some compositions are meditative, others tell sagas of epic romance,  nostalgia and lost love, while some sing praises to Mother Nature in all her magnificent glory.”  —Rajendra Teredesai

Featured in John Dilberto’s ECHOES “Top 25 for April.”

Instrumentation:

Tracks

1. The Road to Byblos 7:51
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2. Brahmaputra Sunrise 6:59
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3. Jaisalmer Moon 9:20
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4. Call of the Ancestors 7:44
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5. Twilight by Lake Manasarovar 6:39
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6. Meditation at Mount Kailash 9:45
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7. The Flower Maiden of Bali 5:21
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8. Where Spirit Winds Blow 7:20
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9. Farewell to Waheeda 12:39
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More Music By This Artist

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Divine Dimension by Rajendra Teredesai
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Press Acclaim

Michael Foster

Crosswinds by Rajendra Teredesai set out to explore the diversity of flute music from all over the world through compositions that would embody the essence of these styles. Teredesai’s purpose was to expose the listener to the cultural heritage of a single instrument as experienced from locations as far flung as China, Arabia, Bali, India, Tibet, and compositions that represent Native Americans here in the U.S. And not only is he composing music that evokes the sensibilities of the region that he is communicating through his playing, but he is also using different flutes to make the music that much more authentic to the area that it represents.
 
On Crosswinds Teredesai uses an Arabian flute, Chinese flute, Indian Bamboo flute, Native American flute and a Balinese flute to bring his compositions to life in a way that will honor the respective cultures that he is representing on this album. Rajendra Teredesai is one of the foremost disciples of the most celebrated and acclaimed flute maestros of all time so it is not surprising at all that this album shines with the talent that he brings to bear on these nine compositions. The album clocks in at 73:53 so there is ample time for him to explore these world cultures and give listeners a chance to fully absorb the diverse styles that he has included on this project.
 
For the most part Crosswinds is a serene journey into a quiet and tranquil musical landscape. Teredesai has composed soothing and introspective songs that would work well for meditative work or simply to play while you appreciated a moment of quiet enjoyment of your surroundings and the music itself. The music of the flute that you will find on this album is accompanied by other instruments that add a depth to the compositions that you would not be able to accomplish with just a flute alone. What makes this even more of an accomplishment is that Teredesai played all of the backing instrumentation himself. His passion to represent the various cultures through his compositions shows his dedication and his mastery of all of the instruments that he used to bring these compositions to life.
 
Perhaps it is because of my own Native American heritage (Shoshone) that caused the two Native American songs on this album to stand out in my mind. There have been several ambient artists that I have listened to in the past that occasionally create tribal albums filled with the imagery of the rituals of the Native American tribes of the west and I have always been drawn to them. The Native American songs that you will find on this project are not the trance inducing shamanistic music that I have heard before,  but rather a peaceful and emotional evoking of the ancestors to come forth and for them to speak wisdom to those who are gathered around a fire on a star filled night. The track entitled “Call of the Ancestors” is an outstanding song which offers listeners a sonic canvas on which to paint or write their own stories of ancestors and relatives that have passed beyond the veil but are never forgotten by those who live on.  Teredesai’s mastery of the flute is abundantly clear on this song as he is able to bring forth deep emotions with a truly authentic performance of his composition. His songs guide the listener’s spirit into a space deep within each of them that resonates in harmony to the music they are hearing.
 
I found Teredesai’s composition “Brahmaputra Sunrise,” which is his flute conversation with China, to be another of the standout tracks on this album. His skillful playing on this track shows that he is more than capable of translating his inner vision of the culture that he is trying to capture in his music and then projecting that vision into his compositions in such a way that listeners will find themselves transported in their minds to that very place.  It is apparent that Teredesai has listened to many culture’s music over the years and it is a testament to his musicianship that he has expertly been able to fold these various influences into his own music so seamlessly. Crosswinds is a great way to tour a variety of cultures and musical styles all in one sitting through the efforts of a single musician. Although I only focused on a couple of tracks that jumped out at me, there are many other songs on this album that are equally effective at bringing to mind the various cultures that Teredesai wrote about in his compositions. Ambient Visions recommends this album.

Flutist Rajendra Teredesai excels at showcasing the tonal beauty of the bamboo flute in soft, meditative musical arrangements. His past albums have had a decidedly Indian slant to them, reflecting his background growing up in Mumbai. With Crosswinds, Teredesai takes a much more global approach, featuring a collection of songs that utilize flute styles and techniques from the American Southwest, Bali, the Middle East, China and Tibet. As such, this is his most diverse album to date, highlighting his versatility as a flutist. The songs include musical elements of the focal cultures; for example, "The Flower Maiden of Bali" uses his flute alongside light drum beats and dulcimer to capture the mystical energy of the Balinese landscape. Another highlight, "Call of the Ancestors," delves into the solitary beauty of Native American music. In all cases, the highlight here is Teredesai's expert flute playing, which is pure, serene, and wonderfully expressive.

Bette Timm

This new offering by Rajendra Teredesai takes us on a multi-cultural journey through many lands with flutes as our guide. Woodwinds have always had an alluring quality, and never more so than on this recording. The journey is reminiscent of an epic tale rich with the emotions of love and longing. The adventure begins with Arabian flute melodies, followed by a trip through China and India guided by Chinese and Bansuri flutes. We go to the Americas next with Native American flutes and then to Indonesia courtesy of Balinese flutes. The musical journey is flavored by the ancient spiritual traditions of these cultures for a gift of sound that will be treasured.

Chris Spector

A lovely collision of music and art, Teredesai plays a flute from a different country on each track and you really can hear and feel the difference inherent in the slightly different but same instruments that you would otherwise take for granted. Not really new agey or ethno-opium denny, this is a new kind of world pop that you might hear in a hipper (not hipster), ethnic restaurant that would actually have you asking the wait-staff what this was. This is a first class listening date for people that want to sit and enjoy real, well thought out music that’s more of a companion than a background effect. Well done throughout.