In his latest album ‘Speechless’, Belgian guitarist and musician Manu Ribot takes us on an experimental sonic sojourn inspired by things that leave him…speechless! In this blatantly instrumental soundtrack of stupefaction, Manu unforgivingly takes on various horrible, ludicrous and broken aspects of the modern system with a subtle sprinkle of Belgian wit, plenty of attitude, and both his middle fingers perpetually raised. In today’s increasingly flattering musical landscape, ‘Speechless’ is a breath of fresh air that won’t fail to raise a question or strike a chord, or a few, in the listener’s mind.

The Spindoctor from Mumbai is indeed a multifaceted and enigmatic personality. Between his two polar passions of being a professional turntablist and a practising doctor lies a polite, humble and talented person, who is ‘just a nerd’ at heart.

The DJ/producer, self-proclaimed as ‘geeky and proud’, has put out his second original - a unique experimental track that holds its own in the thriving Indian hip-hop scene. Supporting raw and powerful verses from Gravity and Poetik Justis, the track contains his signature scratches honed from years of practice and playing to crowds of all sizes. The evidence is clear that the Indian hip-hop scene has finally moved out of its nascence and is evolving into a force to be reckoned with.

A true artist makes the most of available resources and existing circumstances to create sincere and meaningful expression. Belgian guitarist and musician Pierre Vervloesem, who is known as ‘the Frank Zappa of Belgium’, does exactly this in his experimental album “Don’t”, where he channels his inner Jon Hassell and brings out a unique, avant-garde sound with the help of only his guitar, bass, a bucket, and a dictaphone. Read that again. In fact, the very same bucket also happens to be featured on the album cover, which shows the transcendental nature of art. Pierre is living proof that human creativity is not only boundless, and in fact, thrives under limitation.

Chakram is an artist who sculpts the minutest of details into his art while always keeping the focus on the bigger picture. As evident in this audiovisual offering, “When Planets Mate”, is the culmination of a parallel process of self-discovery for the artist. By channelling his understanding of the circular nature of this material existence through Indian mythology, he makes a glorious effort to portray his own heritage and the ancient wisdom of the cosmos through a modern technological lens. While paying due homage to their vast influences, Chakram and his collaborators ensure that the seemingly contrary worlds of science and spirituality converge effortlessly. Upon diving into this masterpiece, the viewer is assured of a holistic and reverent experience.