Nitin Sawhney

Biography

One of the most talented and recognized producers and songwriters within the British electronic and fusion music scene, Nitin Sawhney is also a respected actor, writer, and scriptwriter. Conceiving daring theme combinations of electronica-style beats with gleaming pieces of Asian inspirations driven within the trip-hop and jazzy styles, Sawhney delivers exclusive and overwhelming sound pieces, enlightened by his indubitable creative insight. Following an education in the Kent region of England, obscured by the militant presence of racist organizations, Sawhney finally turned himself to music, therefore aiming to overcome the ruling and disquieting racial boundaries. During the subsequent years, he went on studying law at Liverpool University before moving to London. It was there that alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar he created the Secret Asians, a radio show that eventually evolved into an award-winning TV series. Although he dedicated most of his time to the TV business, Sawhney never neglected his musical dream. He first joined James Taylor, with whom he played a series of dates across the U.K. alongside Taylor's quartet. Following the experiment, Sawhney decided on forming his own band, the Jazztones, by that time playing on concerts headlined by DJs like Gilles Peterson. After yet another collaboration, by then with Talvin Singh with whom he assembled the Tihai Trio, the British creator decided to make it on his own, releasing his debut album, Spirit Dance, on his own label in 1993. A few months after, he signed a contract with Outcaste Records, for which he released one of his most acclaimed recordings, Migration, in 1995. Following a year of incessant work, the album Displacing the Priest arrived record stores, again subliming his exceptional creative skills. During this period, Sawhney also continued to dedicate part of his time to writing soundtracks for acclaimed TV series and theater plays, or accomplishing remixing works for artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. At the same time, during the following months, Sawhney recorded his long-awaited fourth album, Beyond Skin, offered in late 1999. Coming after an extensive touring season across the U.K. and Europe alongside artists like Sting, Sawhney recorded what turned out to be his fifth studio record; Prophesy arrived in 2001, again achieving exalted reviews from the media. Sawhney remained busy for the rest of the 2000s, releasing works such as Human and Philtre as well as mix albums like In the Mind of Nitin Sawhney and Fabriclive.15.