Akshara Music Ensemble was formed in 2008 by Carnatic musician, composer, and educator Bala Skandan, who infuses classical Carnatic (South Indian) ragas and talas with jazz improv, world music, and various modern styles to create a stirring, lifting sound. Such is the case on the excellent “Mohana Blues”, which won the ‘Best World Traditional Song’ award at the 13th Annual Independent Music Awards. The beauty of the track is its worldly nature, infusing what sounds like snippets of influence from various musical cultures into one beautiful and hypnotic sound. It’s a frequent occurrence throughout the ensemble’s new album In Time, released this past October.
