Loop Guru

A global fusion duo which deftly combined old-world music and sound with new-world attitude and technology, Loop Guru primarily comprised bassist/guitarist Salman Gita (born Sam Dodson) and programmer Jamuud (aka Dave Muddyman), both longtime staples of the London club scene. After meeting in 1980 at the introduction of future Trans-Global Underground member Alex Kasiek, the two men frequently found themselves performing on the same bill, discovering a mutual dissatisfaction with the restraints of rock music while forging a common bond from their shared interest in tape loops and worldbeat rhythms. Gita and Jamuud soon began experimenting with a mixing desk, which they plugged into a series of tape recorders, DAT machines, VCRs, and so forth; after playing a number of instruments as simultaneous accompaniment, they ultimately created sound collages from what resulted, incorporating samplers and computers into the mix as technology progressed.

Under the name Loop Guru, they debuted in 1992 with "Mrabet" -- a nod to the Moroccan writer and Paul Bowles confidante -- which took Single of the Week honors in the NME (an award also handed to the follow-up, "Paradigm Shuffle"). With Iranian-born vocalist Sussan Deyhim, they next issued the Sus-san-tics EP, a multiple-remix project, followed in 1994 by their full-length debut, Duniya. In 1995 Loop Guru signed to the North-South label, entering into a unique agreement to release both a "pop record" and a more experimental work on an annual basis. The first fruits of the deal arrived in the form of Amrita, a more conventional effort, and The Third Chamber, an hour-long ambient "single"; in 1996, they issued the third volume in their Catalogue of Desires ambient series (the first two were available only at concerts), along with Moksha, a collection of sessions from the John Peel show. Loop Bites Dog followed in 1997. In 1999, the complete Catalogue of Desires was reworked and remixed into a single-disc release, The Fountains of Paradise. After a long layoff from the recording studio, the duo returned with Bathtime with Loop Guru in 2003 for a new label: Cleopatra. Elderberry Shiftglass followed in 2006.

from Wikipedia:

Loop Guru is a worldbeat group consisting of bassist/guitarist Salman Gita (born Sam Dodson) and programmer Jamuud (born David Muddyman). They first met around 1980 and initially played together in The Transmitters and released their debut single as Loop Guru, Shrine, in 1992. The band's music is a melange of Asian and Western music, infusing Western dance beats with the rich textures and sounds of Indonesian gamelan and traditional Indian music. Heavy emphasis is placed on electronic samples of traditional instruments, voices, and miscellaneous sounds.

However, Loop Guru's main exuberant oeuvre consisting of lively rhythms and effusive sounds is occasionally punctuated by more contemplative albums (e.g., The third chamber) that are reminiscent and influenced by ambient music and more similar to musical artists such as Brian Eno and Jon Hassell. Past and present guest musicians and collaborators include, among others, Natacha Atlas, Sussan Deyhim, Mad Jym, Count Dubulah (also known as Nick Page, Psycho Karaoke and Dub Colossus) and Cat von Trapp.

Loop Guru is a cross-language pun with the French "loup garou" meaning "werewolf".