narenmusic

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  One remembers humming the jazz-rock track 'You Know You Know', after hearing British guitarist John McLaughlin & The Fourth Dimension play it in February 2017. We've had earworms like 'Allah Hoo' by the Uttarakhand band Rahmat-e-Nusrat and 'Mehsoos' by the Surat-based Tapi Project. Very often, Royal Opera House Mumbai has left behind wonderful memories. It's been 10 years since the classy venue returned in its renovated avatar, and one remembered a string of concerts and other cultural events attended there. To mark the occasion, a celebration event was held on Friday, October 23. The main features were a projection mapping exercise by Floating Canvas Company and a performance by the group Tabla And Sons (in pic above), helmed by Vishal Shah with a repertoire that included a Shiva incantation, songs by A.R. Rahman, Ismail Darbar, Ajay-Atul and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, besides some Sufi favourites and a percussion segment. All topped ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Kulfi/ Rasik Balma Language & genre: Hindi/ English, fusion-rock  Label: Self-released Rating: *** 1/2 The interestingly-titled band Kulfi comprises a group of Delhi-based youngsters who blend Indian classical elements with rock flavours. Thus, on their new track 'Rasik Balma', lyrics like "Rasik balma, rayn bitaayi sajaayi, balma" are followed by, "Time to say goodbyeܵ, peace dwells in her eyes, one in dreams she floats". With vocals by Sambhav Baxi and Joel Reji, the band has tight arrangements, with a guest appearance by Momin Khan on sarangi. Guitarist Aditya Sarkar, keyboardist Blaze John Jomon, drummer Shaurya Gambhir and tabla player Kawangan Singh complete the line-up., with Joel also playing bass. Sort of rocksier avatar of Colonial Cousins. The group had released the single 'Morey Mandir' earlier this year. Formed in 2024, they have been gaining popularity on both the college and club circuit. Look forward to more. So...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Pratibha Singh Baghel/ Pratibha Ke Rang Genre : Ghazal, film, Sufi Presented by : Sufiscore Details : NMACC Grand Theatre, October 9 Rating : *** 1/2 The last time I reviewed singer Pratibha Singh Baghel's show when she performed at the Nehru Centre a year ago, I had given a four-and-a-half star rating. Given the fact that her singing abilities and quality of repertoire were equally good at her NMACC Grand Theatre show on Friday, what made me cut one point? Ratings are personal choices, but in this case, it was a competition between grandeur and grace. One would ask why the comparison should be made at all, as those seeing her for the first time would be impressed by her sheer skills. But then, without this comparison, one wouldn't know what could be done better. Titled Pratibha Ke Rang and organised by Sufiscore, Friday's show was lavish, featured a bigger band, had highly creative visuals, dhinchak lights and some marvellously choreographed dance seq...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Amithav Gautam/ Presence (EP) Language & genre: Instrumental, jazz guitar Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Six years ago, Chennai guitar prodigy Amithav Gautam had released the single 'Blossom'. He's also put up some wonderful Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers covers on YouTube. The 21-year-old, who's pursuing his bachelor's in jazz performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has now released a four-track EP Presence . It's got some stylish guitaring and a good amount of variety, using different formations. The record opens with the vibrant 'Old Madras Blues', featuring bassist Keith Peters and drummer Shyam Rao. The same combo plays on the last track 'Sunshine After Rain', which has a nice lilt. 'Bounce' is a wonderful composition, with Amithav playing both guitar and bass, joined by Jai Row Kavi on drums. The title track brims with gentle melody, as Shreyaas Sanjeev joins on bass and Alex Maddy plays...

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Easy Wanderlings/ Ten Years On The Map tour Genre: Soul-folk Details: NMACC Studio, October 3 Rating: ***** All we need  is a dream to keep us going, this is all we need, is a dream to keep us going. These lines are not simply part of one of their most popular songs. They also define the approach of Pune soul-folk collective Easy Wanderlings over the years. They're now towards the end of their multi-city 10th anniversary tour, and I caught them at the NMACC Studio on Saturday, October 3. Imagine, Swedish prog-metal giants Opeth were playing in Mumbai the same evening, and G5A was having an indie-themed event too. But I was seeing the Wanderlings after a long time, maybe three years after my AntiSocial experience. No regrets for my choice, for this was pure gold. Oooo، ooooo, doesn't it feel good, oooo, ooooo, enjoy it while it lasts. It lasted 90 minutes, with Sanyanth Naroth, Pratika Gopinath and guitarist Sharad Rao switching lead vocals, and sharing bri...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR   Syncopation / Side On Language & genre: Instrumental, jazz-funk Label: Self-Self-released Rating: ***** Delhi band Syncopation is back with a banger of a tune, blending jazz and funk in a delightful manner. Composed by guitarist and bandleader Risshi S Sachdeva, 'Side On' has some incredible solos, and flows seamlessly. Saxophonist Aniket Chaturvedi lights up the opening part, and Risshi's guitar solo firms up the middle section. After a brief horn fill-in, keyboardist Noushad Ashraf takes over. Through all this, Vishrut Shankar Shukla's bass and Nikhil Vasudevan's drums hold the piece marvellously. All this is captured live in a studio setting by videographer Anuj Goswami of Basement Company. The sound is reminiscent of some of the Brecker Brothers and Joe Sample records of yore. It keeps your feet tapping to the groove. Mohit Mukhi/ More Ways Of Going Nowhere (EP) Language & genre: English, pop-folk Label: Melo/ self Rating; **** Mum...