DOUG COX & SALIL BHATT

Slide to Freedom 2

The second installation in the “Slide to Freedom” blues/Indian fusion music series, “Make a Better World” is an interesting listen. Hearing a sitar make noises that blues or slide guitars usually make is disorienting and fun. Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt’s collaboration here is a fine presentation which can be riveting at times, as Indian music often is, but it can also seem forced at times. Weak lyrics and reused rhythms on some tracks take away from the strength the production, but interested listeners may be willing to overlook these deficiencies. Others may not notice such troubles at all, as the performances by all of the contributors are believable and competent. “Slide to Freedom 2: Make a Better World” is available from Northernblues Music in 2009.