Asha Puthli

How we haven't heard more about Asha Puthli is a crime. The disco-soul-jazz Indian goddess pumped out ten albums in the 1970's - and it wasn't until a number of hip-hop artists started sampling her 30 years later that people started paying attention. Perhaps best known for her stirring vocals on free jazz legend Ornette Coleman's "Science Fiction" album, Asha was and still is a pioneer of jazz, funk, soul and electronic dance music. Trained in Indian classical singing with a four octave soprano range, Puthli created her own unique sound before we'd even thought about acid jazz and ambient dance music.

Performing "The Devil is Loose" in 1978 above, Asha reprises it as opening track on her first new album in years entitled "Lost," a record that is mind bogglingly brilliant. I had to listen to it a second time immediately, I just couldn't take it all in. I must admit I expected her to simply cash in with an album of dreamy east Indian vocals layered on smooth jazz beats, but after my first listen I realized - when has Asha ever taken the easy road? The title track "Lost" about losing everything including your faith is amazing. The journey we take with Asha on "Salty Dog" conjures lighters waving in the air to a most unexpected rock anthem. She drives things a little harder on "Love Unconditional" sharing with us her secret of life. On "War, What For" her vocals turn an otherwise simple anti-war song into something powerful. "Tell Me Why" delivers the flavor I expected when I bought her new album - only delicious jazz that's light years better than I'd even hoped for. "Shine In The Sky" teaches us what sensuality is really all about and I admit I shed a few tears first time I heard it. "Dum Maro Dum" is worldbeat all the way and I can't wait to hoop to it. "Merey Dil May" continues on that route only chilled - and the production is so freakin good. Chills. "My Prayer" is a very sweet cover of The Platters classic she's made entirely her own, doing the same with the closing track "L'Hymne À L'Amour" from Edith Piaf. "Lost" proves Asha isn't lost at all, she knows exactly where she is and maybe now, finally, the world can catch up to her. It's on iTunes.