Guitarist Max Clouth and drummer Martin Standke are Ragawerk. Standke has something of a conventional jazz background, majoring in jazz percussion from Cologne University of Music and based for much of his time in Frankfurt. Clouth studied jazz guitar at Mainz University of Music but then moved to Mumbai, India to study and immerse himself in Hindustani music. They previously worked together in Germany as part of the Max Clouth Clan and as Ragawerk, Nila (Sanskrit for blue) is the follow-up recording from their eponymous album ‘Ragawerk’ (2022).
Both now in their early 40s, they’ve explored an increasingly familiar path in fusing jazz with Indian music, previously travelled by the likes of John Coltrane and Joe Harriott and more recently with John McLaughlin and Shakti. Between them, they have produced an intriguing fusion of jazz and rock, combining predominantly Indian but also Spanish musical elements. The album is underpinned by the driving, dynamic drumming of Standke who also uses a range of percussion with emphasis on tabla and mridangam. There’s a strong melodic feel to this recording with shifting moods and tempos. Clouth’s guitar employs a variety of effects – sinewy, spacey runs (“Merkur”), sitar bends and acoustic. He’s also capable of very tasteful shredding.
Occasionally their musical influences become quite apparent but in their hands, this isn’t a bad thing. Shyam is reminiscent of early Metheny with a cleanly picked guitar sound reminiscent of his Gibson ES-175. Blue P has a McLaughlin vibe that echoes Guitar Love (from Now Here This) while the guitar solo on Computerwelt also sounds deeply inspired by John. A reprised version of Blue P features acoustic guitar instead of electric to give a classical guitar feel.
There are slower paced numbers. Soledad is a moody atmospheric piece featuring tabla and Indian style vocals and a sitar effect on guitar. The theme is continued on the next track Karela with a relentless tabla beat. It’s probably the piece where the Indian influence is most pervasive.
Ragawerk have been successful in creating a memorable recording with their own unique take on jazz fusion. They have a few tour dates scheduled but unfortunately they are currently limited to Germany.
Tracklist:
1. Niḷa
2. Shyam
3. Soledad
4. Karela
5. Computerwelt
6. Blue P.
7. Relegadi
8. Merkur
9. Charukeshi
10. Blue P. Reprise
Line Up:
Martin Standke – Drums, Electronics, additional Keyboards
Max Clouth – Guitar; Vroni Frisch – Bass
Robert Schippers – Keyboards
BC Manjunath – Mridangam
Shruti Ramani – Vocals
Peter Hinz – Tabla
Sophie-Justine Herr – Vocals
