Sorry Phil - I Have to disagree. There is definitely something missing in taste. Nothing at all to do with sensory overload or whatever you call it I'm afraid. I actually wish you were right...but you're not!
I agree with the valid points which Phil makes. How many other members curries have you tasted and did you express any interest in my 'Come Dine' idea, when we might have started to find out?
Welcome back DD. One other thing which you may have missed is CA being fired.
You mention THE illusive taste but I'm not sure I've ever known what that is or was. Doesn't it vary from dish to dish? I can make one or two dishes which do as much for my taste buds as the same dishes from the best BIRs but when it comes to a simple vegetable curry to accompany a biriani, I haven't yet got close.