Susheela Raman – Evening Standard review

24 June, 2011

WORLD

SUSHEELA RAMAN
Vel
(OuterIndia) ★★★★✩ Susheela Raman appeared a decade ago with an incredible debut album, Salt Rain, nominated for the Mercury Prize. She was born in London to parents of Tamil origin and this new record (her fifth) powerfully reflects both sides of her background. The opening Raise Up is powered by a rock beat, but inspired, she says, by Tamil temple music. That is much more audible in tracks such as Daga Daga and Paal, two of the most striking tracks on the album, which draw directly on Tamil tradition. The title, Vel, is Tamil for “spear”, as wielded by the deity Murugan – celebrated in the song Vel Undu with the great Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. This seamless marrying of traditions is what makes this record stand out. 
SIMON BROUGHTON