On his ninth album, Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu explores the common musical ground shared by his homeland and Africa. But the interesting idea is marred by dubious execution, with mostly mushy results.

Gurtu, who's worked with such cultural mixologists as the late trumpeter Don Cherry and guitarist John McLaughlin, actually seems most at home pursuing lite jazz fusion.

African Fantasy brims with the promise of sophisticated rhythmic adventuring but rarely delivers it. The Weather Report-influenced "Old African" (RealAudio excerpt) has rhythmic meat on its bones, but the superficial Indoflash of "Rajasthan" (RealAudio excerpt) is a triumph of style over content. Which is not to denigrate Gurtu's band or such guests as Benin's Angelique Kidjo and Malian Wassoulou singer Oumou Sanagare. The fault lies in material that doesn't aim for a higher common denominator. Gurtu obviously has good intentions, but tracks such as "Lisa" (RealAudio excerpt) suggest his forte is drive-time worldism.