Deepak Ram

Deepak Ram has made a great album. Jazz aficionados will be beguiled by his smoky bansuri as it takes liberties with jazz milestones such as "Giant Steps" and "Naima"; world music fans will adore hearing classical Indian flute in a sparse jazz setting. Everybody else will be seduced by the mellow, intelligent interplay of elements here: Vic Juris' guitar as it moves effortlessly from coloring the background to center stage; Jamey Haddad's elegant percussion; Ram's slippery, surprising readings of classic songs and his wonderful originals -- including the homage to Nelson Mandela "Madiba's Dance."