Some lazy Sunday afternoon I start playing my Sitar. My mind blanks out and the Sitar plays me. A few hours later it's getting dark, but I don't want to stop. Finally I run out of tape. I feel like I've just come back from Neverland. See what you think!

This CD is probably the most direct capture of my music onto tape. Yes, tape it was! I wanted

Some lazy Sunday afternoon I start playing my Sitar. My mind blanks out and the Sitar plays me. A few hours later it's getting dark, but I don't want to stop. Finally I run out of tape. I feel like I've just come back from Neverland. See what you think!

This CD is probably the most direct capture of my music onto tape. Yes, tape it was! I wanted to record overtones and harmonies of Sitar and Slide Guitar and also use tape compression. I used pick ups and 4 condenser mics. I then transferred the lot onto PC and added a few sounds and effects. Maybe they were those I heard in my head when I did the initial recordings. However apart from that there are no overdubs or corrections. What you hear is what I played on that 'Lazy Sunday afternoon'. This is how it came out. In general I try to offer music which is not already on offer. This is not hard, if we are talking commercial sites and shops. However the most exciting music is to be found on places like CD-baby where artist can put up anything they fancy and we can check it out and buy directly off them. I've always aimed to pair the Sitar with other instruments which complement it either by sound of the ability to put chords 'underneath' the drone. On my other CD's I have collaborated with musicians that play piano, harp, flute, bass and of course a number of percussionists. I was always lucky to be able to excite them to come and have a play with sounds. Not being tied to any label or publisher also means I can do what I like. The worst thing that can happen is that some people might not be overly excited about my music, but there's enough out there to still make them happy. Hope you like some of my stuff. Cheers!

This CD could also be called 'Groove Ganesh 2'. Astra and the Stolp brothers present the same mesmerising, psychedelic sounds and textures the fans love. However, this time they invited Santhanam, a master percussionist from Madras, to add his magic.

After months of festivals, jamming and recording ideas it was time for Astra and the Stolp

This CD could also be called 'Groove Ganesh 2'. Astra and the Stolp brothers present the same mesmerising, psychedelic sounds and textures the fans love. However, this time they invited Santhanam, a master percussionist from Madras, to add his magic.

After months of festivals, jamming and recording ideas it was time for Astra and the Stolp brothers to put together a new album. Eventually they came back to the original idea of 'Groove Ganesh': Loop based grooves with the added texture of live percussion. For that they found a South Indian master drummer. Santhanam Gopala from Madras was classically trained since he was five and started performing at the age of nine. Needless to say, there were a few things he could teach the other three. 'It was a fantastic trip starting to play with Sandy', explains Astra. 'We put together the loops and the bass groove, but when he added his magic, the whole thing turned upside down. He has such a nack to play around the rhythm'. 'We can see it in the faces of the audience', adds Nik. 'Some of them watch with their mouths wide open'. Damian speaks his own psychedelic language on the guitar and Astra weaves his sounds around it. Add to that lyrics in invented language and you find yourself on a trip into Neverland. 'Sometimes we don't want to come back', laughs Damian.

Mixing Celtic with Middle Eastern sounds and textures, this blend could be called East-West World-Fusion.

Roman has been known for many years to gather musicians of varying genres and background around him to create unique combinations of sounds and styles.

"One year I had a series of concerts with three different ensembles," Roman remembers. "I

Mixing Celtic with Middle Eastern sounds and textures, this blend could be called East-West World-Fusion.

Roman has been known for many years to gather musicians of varying genres and background around him to create unique combinations of sounds and styles.

"One year I had a series of concerts with three different ensembles," Roman remembers. "I suddenly realized that I am limiting myself and others, by thinking in terms of groups. Different events require different approaches and it makes sense to offer a tailored act." Consequently, Roman started to create projects which may be presented several times, but don't lock people into an ensemble with regular practices and commitments.

"People love it," explains fellow musician Lynne Griffiths (harp, flute, harmonium), who has been working with Roman for several years now. "It leaves the musicians free to follow their own ideas but gives them a new outlet." She is joined by fellow 'Ethereal' member Helen Morrison on harp and cello. Both of them have been in Astra's 'Musikarousel' and 'Overtone Orchestra'.

Over the last year Santhanam Gopala, a Mrudhangam player from Madras, has joined forces with Roman. He is a master drummer of South Indian training and no beat is foreign to him. Santhanam was born into a musical family and has performed since the age of six.

Another seasoned musician to add his colorful threads to the 'Magic Carpet' is Nik Stolp. Yielding several types of bass guitars his musical relationship with Roman started over 15 years ago. They have been touring as ‘Gurubusters’, 'Chillfaktor 3' and 'Groove Ganesh', which opened "10 Days on the Island 2009'. Nik can be heard on many of Roman’s CDs. "Roman words his requests in a colorful, unusual way, but It explains what he's after quite accurately," Nik admits. 'Once he asked me to imagine that I'm playing on a gondola in Venice. Lucky I’d just been there the year before.’

Mixing and matching Eastern and 'Western' sounds and styles this album takes you onto a journey along the Silkroad or there abouts.

Sitar, Guitar, Indian violin and Lute go hand in hand here with Middle Eastern percussion and synthetic loops. There are also vocals in the Indian style of ‘Narara’ singing. These tracks are Astra’s favourites of CD’s

Mixing and matching Eastern and 'Western' sounds and styles this album takes you onto a journey along the Silkroad or there abouts.

Sitar, Guitar, Indian violin and Lute go hand in hand here with Middle Eastern percussion and synthetic loops. There are also vocals in the Indian style of ‘Narara’ singing. These tracks are Astra’s favourites of CD’s recorded between 2003 and 2007. They were big sellers at gigs but are not commercially available anymore. Blending Eastern and Western, ethnic and contemporary sounds and styles Astra aims to expand our listening habits. This music also demonstrates how easily music can cross cultural and geographical barriers.