An authentic and absorbing soundtrack to Rick Stein’s India could have been
created simply using traditional Indian instrumentation. However, what is
intriguing about Malcolm Ironton’s score is how he has created a sound that not
only heavily incorporates traditional influences but also nods to modern western
music too.
The colourful series sees Rick Stein leaving his home in the
fishing village of Padstow to explore the Indian sub-continent in search of the
perfect curry. Throughout the series Rick learns the subtle nuances between
culture and curry that make the different regions of India so unique. It’s
fitting then, that its soundtrack is structured in much the same way.
At its most exciting there are pounding, pulsating explosions
of percussion, the rhythm mimicking the vibrancy of India’s big cities and in
particular the manic nature of the roads. This contrasts with more serene
moments, drenched in luscious string, reflecting the almost mystical nature of
this country’s landscape. These create a stunning ambiance that even Brian Eno
would be hard pressed not to appreciate.
The most triumphant moments here however, are when India’s
fizzling energy is captured, an elixir that’s not easy to bottle authentically.
Mad Madras for example is breathless
and frenzied. Midway through the track it surprisingly descends into and almost
psychedelic drum and bass-like assault. This surge of unrelenting energy is not
too dissimilar to the breakdown in Outkast’s stirring hit Bombs over Baghdad. Electronic
influences also creep up again in tracks like I love Curry. The driving rhythm soars, incorporating a hypnotic chanting
which eventually makes way for electro-like synths.
You can see the influences these more traditional styles of
music have had the other way around too. Delhi
dance is a notable example. It could almost be lifted from Alt-J’s recent
Mercury Prize winning debut, in particular the track Taro.
Elsewhere, Padadum
Polka utilizes brass instruments to create something equal parts marching
band and harem and the same could be said about Sagg Aloo. Indeed the whole album uses western instrumentation in a
way seamlessly fuses the two styles. This almost serves to reflect the way in
which Indian cuisine had been adopted as our own in this country, this of
course being the reason Rick set out on his journey in the first instance.
Overall all this composition is a fitting soundtrack to a
series that whilst exploring India’s vastness in diversity, it also has one eye
on back home and our infatuation with this most incredible of dishes.
We spoke to Rick
about his series ‘Rick Stein’s India – In Search of the Perfect Curry’. To read
the full interview pick up a copy of Chaat! Issue 14.
.JPG)
