The MIDIval PunditZ gained international recognition on the basis of generally being considered to be the first major Indian electronic music project to be signed to a Western label while operating from their home country – other Indian acts featured in Western media had frequently moved to the USA or the UK before making a name for themselves on the scene. Fusing Acid and Goa Trance, “World Music” and Chill Out, their sound fit neatly into the drawers required to meet more superficial commercial demands (their music has been featured on a plethora of samplers and compilations), while simultaneously taking it to a depth uncommon to most cross-over projects – a track like “Raanjhan” (from their 2005-album “Midival Times”), for example, generates a gyrational groove potential while suffusing it with a powerful string arragement courtesy of renowned Hindi composer Salim Merchant. Other pieces have featured local instruments like Flute, Tablas and Sarangi.

No specifics on the upcoming new album has been made available as yet, but it is almost certain to again include a couple of major surprises – the MIDIval PunditZ have previously covered Led Zeppelin, for example, thereby re-interpreting the band’s take on Indian music from a local perspective.

Homepage: MIDIval PunditZ
Homepage: MIDIval PunditZ at MySpace
Homepage: Six Degrees Records