Review
Rootsworld
Sitar and tabla drums are key to most of the music here and thus it's a good thing that Baluji Shrivastav is a whiz on both. He's also skilled on a number of other Indian instruments, and what's more, he's got a knack for combining them with some freewheeling jazz and global textures. The results can sound fairly traditional or, as on this album's "Pharaoh's Dream" and "Taal Manjari- Flowering of Rhythm," get techno enough to show that Shrivastav and his mates in Re-Orient are progressive minded as well. As with much Indian-based music, there is a lot of rhythmic and melodic complexity here. What keeps it from becoming too stuffy and intimidating is the spark and ease with which additions such as Hossam Ramzy's Egyptian percussion and Guy Barker's trumpet are brought on board. Though at times the tracks twist and turn a little too much and overstay their welcome, pieces like the slinky finale "Spirit of Joy" make the trip worthwhile. When you're feeling burnt out on bhangra or Bollywood, give this other kind of Indian fusion a try. It's the work of master musicians and it is fun and engaging. - Tom Orr

Review
Dirty Linen Magazine
This is a light, smooth blend of Hindustani music and American jazz. Multi-instrumentalist Shrivastav (sitar, dilruba, bulbul, tarang, and other instruments) surrounds himself with a fine group of musicians. Joining him are Chris Conway on keyboards, guitars and other instruments; Linda Shanovitch on voice; Ustad Faiyaz Khan on tabla; Gerry Hunt on saxophone and other instruments; and Clive Bell on bansuri, voice and ney. The arrangements take full advantage of the improvisational nature of both cultures music, giving short shrift one ither.Traditional raags and taals form the basis for tonal and rhythmic exploration. The Eastern and Western instrumental timbres mix well.

Reviews
Ambience
Re-Orient is acclaimed Indian classical musician Baluji Shrivastav with members of the group Jazz Orient, plus various guest artists. Together, on Indian World Music Fusion, they present 23 different musical instruments, and a fusion of styles that draws upon both traditional and improvisational sources.
As the sleeve notes tell us, the band would like us to let go of dogma and listen from the heart. The amalgam of talents and Eastern and Western approaches has produced an invigorating and unique recording. This is further achieved through the diverse combination of instruments, such as Irish tin whistle and ghatam, as found on the superb Child of the Emerald Air, or saxophone and sitar on Unforgotten Days, and flute and dilruba on the improvised PaniHari. Great jazz elements are threaded throughout, but no more keenly felt than on the delightful Tarana16, which features a terrific piano solo, along with eclectic vocalisations from Linda Shanovitch. Her voice, meld seamlessly with all the other instrumentation and is peppered throughout the 10 tracks. Indian World Music is a gem to discover, unfolding in many interesting directions. Jasper

LA Daily News
"In this unusual but recommended world music hybrid, outstanding Indian classical musicians interact with jazz soloists for a vertitable feast of sound. There are improvised ragas in which sax, bamboo flute and tabla dialogue, fast Turkish rhythms, meetings of sitar and 12-string guitar, peaceful musical reflections via soprano sax and gorgeous melodies throughout. Lovely stuff. ***" Fred Shuster - L.A. Daily News, USA,

Reviews
All Music Guide
The intriguing Bird Dancer set combines Indian rhythms and instruments with jazz improvising. The music ranges from mood pieces and features for the sitar to the surprise blues "Boss Me Around" and a few fiery moments. The jazz content is often buried by the Indian rhythms and vocals (though Linda Shanovitch is actually from London) so this is an acquired taste for jazz listeners, but those who are into Indian music might find this mixture of strong interest. ~ Scott Yanow,

Jazzwise Magazine
* * * Music to engage the mind, heart and soul", trumpets the sleeve, and the CDs opener ' Vanita's Dance' is certainly and arresting statement of intent: Indian rhythms and percussion collide with jazzy improvisation as vocalist Linda Shanovitch weaves through the mix sounding like Björk on helium. Their music draws influences from European folk tradition as well as jazz and the Indian subcontinent, fusing them into chesive and usually satisfying structures. Shanovitch's voice in particular is striking and expressive throughout.

Verge Music - Canada
Bird Dancer is an exciting album combining jazz and Indian influences. Jazz Orient have produced this intriguing mixture drawing upon Indian dance rhythms, folk melodies and jazz.

Classical Indian Sitar & Surbahar 

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The Art of the Indian Dilruba

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