WOMAD

The Angel Brothers & Satnam Singh

From India, United Kingdom

Biography from www.angelsingh.co.ukThe Angel Brothers & Satnam Singh drew on many varied musical influences to create their sound: Satnam Singh is a Bhangra music specialist who primarily plays the large (and loud!) ceremonial 'dhol' and its smaller cousin, the 'dholak'.  Satnam also plays traditional tabla with the band.  His colourful and imposing stage presence delights and excites audiences wherever the group perform, the Indian rhythms being closely interwoven with Keith Angel's drum and percussion grooves.Keith plays the drum kit to create the backbone grooves of The Angel Brothers' music, often switching to the Afro/Latin percussion that combines uniquely with Satnam's complex Asian rhythmic patterns.Dave Angel writes the majority of melodic material in the live and recorded repertoire.  Using acoustic and classical guitars along with the mandolin (though not all at once), Dave provides singing phrases, sometimes juxtaposed with experimental textural patterns that perfectly counterbalance the rhythmic backdrop described above.The whole sound of The Angel Brothers & Satnam Singh is underpinned by the bass skill of Andy Seward, who plays impeccable, thoughtful lines on either double bass or four- or five-string electric bass.  Andy often has a busy schedule with Kate Rusby, John Tams, etc., and, when he's away, bass duties are taken over by Jim Lockey who brings his own feel and funky, low-down lines to the band. The band is complimented on record by some of the very finest musicians around: on Hammond organ, Prophet synthesizer and other assorted, old, warm analogue keyboards is ex-Magazine and Visage keyman, Dave Formula.  Dave's sound and ideas perfectly match and enhance Dave Angel's evocative 'sound-track' melodies.Also featured on the new album is 'Accordian God' (according to Radio 3's Late Junction) Andy Cutting.  Fans of Andy's work won't be disappointed by his innovative musical explorations on the CD.