Raga-chamber-jazz? It"s true. As further evidence of the shrunken global village this album--sitarist-composer Neel Murgai"s first as a bandleader--redefines the meaning of global dialogue. This is not the exotic fusion of your neighborhood deli but New Music that transcends the ancient future traditional. Rooted in North Indian classical styles, his music is inspired by a multitude of sources: raga, jazz, minimalism, free improvisation, Mongolian throat singing and Eastern European gypsy. Featuring downtown improv wizard Mat Maneri on viola, Sameer Gupta (Supplicants, Marc Kerry"s Focus Trio) on tabla and Greg Heffernan (Paradox trio) on cello, this quartet is a perfect balance of sounds and styles. The delicate nuances of sitar and tabla are complemented by viola and cello to produce a stringy texture of radiant buoyancy. Neel"s fresh compositions blend seamlessly with his new takes and adaptations of traditional material, but the music comes to life in the dynamic improvisation of the ensemble. They lend gravity to the moment as we are transported to higher realms. Their interaction is the real global dialogue, a spontaneous raga-chamber jazz. If you ever loved the Mahavishnu Orchestra or Rudresh Mahanthappa"s Indo-Pak Coalition you"ll need to hear the Neel Murgai Ensemble. Fresh from a center stage appearance on the David Letterman show, accompanying Wyclef Jean and Cyndi Lauper, Neel is a veteran of the New York music scene. His compositions can be heard in the award winning feature film, "The Yes Men Fix the World". He has worked with numerous musicians, bands, theater companies and dance troupes of all genres, including Bill T. Jones Dance Company, Suphala, Samir Chatterjee, Yuerba Buena, Loren Conners, Louis Belogenis, Vijay Iyer, Mission on Mars, Akim Funk Buddha, Pharaoh"s Daughter, Suzanne Languile, Manhattan Children"s Theater, Dusara Dance, Morgon Kara, and Feraba.