Artist description HAMSAFAR is the meeting of five international multiinstumentalists creating a unique sound and music. It's danceable, "groovy", funky, housy as well as ethnic, meditative, peaceful. The word HAMSAFAR comes from the east and means "Fellow Traveller". On their quest for new musical horizons the members met from all over the world in an industrial city in India. The music of HAMSAFAR melts the mystical sounds of eastern, african and latin instruments like Sitar, Tabla, Bansoori (bambooflute), Tampura, Santoor, Darbouka, Djembe or Berimbao with contemporary instruments like synthesizers, samplers, bass, drums, etc. to create a yet unheard sound for dancing as well as listening. HAMSAFAR create soundscapes, inner movies, scenes, moods and takes their audience on a journey of exciting as well as peacefull moods and movies. The Band's first aim is to "MOVE" their audience, either physically dancing or emotional, take them on a trip into ancient places, mystical realities, romantic journeys and exciting adventures. The musicians of HAMSAFAR love to perform and spend the main part of the year on the road, mainly in central Europe, as well as in the United States and the Far East. The debut album "Lifeprints" was recorded in an ancient stable in the heart of Tuscany, Italy and captures a wide range of sounds and stiles into their own unique music.

Music Style Ethno Trance

Artist History HAMSAFAR was founded by Prem Joshua and Ravi Freeman as "Terra Incognita" in 1992 as a more open project. The band became a more stable formation in 1995 when Rishi Vlote and Nadama Novak joined and shortly after Chintan Schmidt-Relenberg. In this lineup the band toured another year till finally Jo Shiro Shunyam met the band and they recorded the debut "Lifeprints". Because of legal problems with the name "Terra Incognita" the name changed to HAMSAFAR which was also title of the second solo album of Prem Joshua. After another change in the lineup the band works now as a quintett and tours since five years. They are working right now on their second album which will be released in Mai 2000 just in time for the start of the HAMSAFAR Millenium Tour 2000.

Group Members Prem Joshua: Multi-instrumentalist and composer (bamboo-flutes, soprano-sax, sitar, dilruba, a. o.) Lived, meditated and studied music in India for many years and has recorded and performed in the field of World Music and Trance Music all over the planet. He released 6 albums with "New Earth Records" and now 2 new albums on his own label. He can be heard on numerous other recordings of "Music from the World of Osho". He learns Indian music under the guidance of sitar maestro Ustad Usman Khan.Rishi Vlote ("Mr. Trance") Performed and recorded as a professional drummer and percussionist with many fusion bands and has been for many years developing his own style of ethnic percussion. Playfully he links the magic of the Australian Didgeridoo, the African Djembe, the Arabic Darbouka and the South Indian Ghatam, with his main instrument - the Drum Kit.Manish Vyas: Multi-instrumentalist and tabla-wizard from India, has learned under the famous tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. He is also a vocalist, masters the santoor and plays keyboards and percussion. He released 6 albums with "Oorja Music". He is a worldwide recording and performing artist.Dinesh Mattuck: Keyboard player and guitarist from Denmark, studied music and composition in the USA and Brazil, has been touring and recording as a professional musician with many bands world-over, is the newest HAMSAFAR memberChintan S.-Relenberg: World touring bass player and percussionist, studies Tabla in India, Berimbau and percussion in Brazil. He combines many ethnic rhythms with the feel of contemporary grooves. He is a studio musician and tours the world with various bands since many years. At the moment he is working on his first solo album which will be out in the beginning of 2000

Instruments bamboo-flutes, soprano-sax, sitar, dilruba, swarmandal, tampura, santoor, tabla, darbouka, djembe, didgeridoo, electric and acoustic guitar, electric bass, groovebox, synthesizers, electric piano, electric and acoustic drums, berimbao, claypot, div. percussions

Albums HAMSAFAR: Lifeprints

Location Munich, Bavaria - Germany

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