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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Pandit Vinayak Torvi/ Hindustani classical vocal Details: Pratahswar concert, October 31 2021, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai  Photo courtesy: Pancham Nishad Rating: **** At the crack of the Sunday dawn, Pandit Vinayak Torvi began the opening notes of raag Bilaskhani Todi. The vilambit composition 'Hey Mahadev' was followed by the drut 'Janu Janu Re', as the vocalist displayed his flawless command over the swaras. It was the 115th part of Pancham Nishad's Pratahswar early morning concert series, which has become a regular feature at the open air area of Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, in the non-monsoon months. Though things had stopped during the pandemic, barring a few shows between the first and second waves, this was a welcome sign for classical fans. Pratahswar has developed a regular following over the years. Though most people come from the belt between Mahim and Worli, some aficionados travel the distance early in the morning. Torvi was ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Various Artistes: Music Inspired By The Film The Beatles And India Label: Silva Screen Records Rating: Up To You Reviewing an album like this is extremely difficult. The simple reason is that it takes Beatles songs many of us have grown up on, and gives them an Indian flavour. Some may welcome the experimentation, others may detest it. Some versions may work for some, others may not work for others. Half the people may agree with this review, others may hurl tomatoes at me, irrespective of their current high price. Whichever way, improvising on (or tampering with) Beatles songs is always a challenging task, moreso when you've focused on the sacrosanct  The White Album, which thousands consider as one of the ultimate releases by the Liverpool lads. And instead of hearing the voices of John, Paul, George or even Ringo, we hear people who sounded better off singing at the erstwhile Blue Frog or Hard Rock Cafe Worli. So welcome to Music Inspired By The Film The Beat...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Salim-Sulaiman ft Sunidhi Chauhan/ Ghar Aao Na Label: MyN Rating: *** As part of the Bhoomi 2021 series, music directors Salim-Sulaiman get in Sunidhi Chauhan on 'Ghar Aao Na'. It's a classical fusion track with pop-rock inflections. Shraddha Pandit writes the words about a woman waiting for her lover. Pianos and guitars blend with sitar and tabla, with Shakti Hasija's video capturing the live performance. While Sunidhi's singing is creditable, the sudden western 'heh eh yeah' twist at the end is jarring. It's like an athlete almost reaching the finish line but collapsing 10 metres away. Mukul Dongre/ Baaje Re Muraliya - Reprise Label: Self-released Rating: *** 1/2 Earlier this year, drummer Mukul Dongre released the pop love song 'Dil Jo Chahta Hai', composed by him. Now he gets into the classical fusion space. 'Baaje Re Muraliya - Reprise' features singer Vijay Prakash, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, guitarist Sanjay Div...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Dream Theater/  A View From The Top Of The World  Genre: Progressive metal Label: Inside Out Music  Rating: **** A burst of hyper-energetic drums is followed by a melodic guitar line, before vocalist James LaBrie launches the words, "Look beyond the earth, heading set for the stars, interplanetary, some are near, some are far, terraform a new world, survival for mankind, options but a few, we are running out of time". Welcome to 'The Alien', the opening track of Dream Theater's 15th album  A View From The Top Of The World.  With its sheer power, it sets the pace for 70 minutes of raw brilliance, taking you to another world, beyond the earth. Over seven tracks, including the three-part, 20-minute title track, the prog metal giants keep you glued. Though there's consistent virtuosity from each band member, it's drummer Mike Mangini who stands out. Replacing the outstanding Mike Portnoy over a decade ago, Mangini comes up with some astonis...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Elton John/  The Lockdown Sessions Genre: Pop-rock Label: Mercury Records Rating: *** A week after Santana's multi-artiste collaboration album Blessings And Miracles,  we have the concept repeated by Elton John. As the title suggests, The Lockdown Sessions  was recorded during quarantine. And with a guest list that ranges from old-timers Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks to younger acts Dua Lipa and Charlie Puth, there's a lot of genre-hopping here. Probably because of the drastic style-shifting, one finds a bit of inconsistency, and the track sequence jars at times. Yet, there are some good songs to compensate. The content is a mix of fresh material and reworked versions of older songs, with newer songwriters like Alexandra Tamposi and Andrew Wotman, and co-producer Jeffrey Watt helping the veteran. Interestingly, the album kicks off with 'Cold Cold Heart', a neo-disco mash-up that includes parts of the Elton hits 'Sacrifice' and 'Rocketman...

B Y NARENDRA KUSNUR Anirudh Varma Collective/ Bhimpalasi Label: Self-released Rating: **** Here's a brilliant amalgamation of a traditional raag with eclectic instrumental elements. Using raag Bhimpalasi, the Anirudh Varma Collective create a fantastic environment. This is the first single from their upcoming album Homecoming. Led by keyboardist-producer Anirudh, the piece features four-part vocals by Aanchal Singh, Aastha Mandle, Kavya Singh and Vaishnavi Tyagi. It uses bansuri, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, tabla, drums and konnakol (vocal percussion). Metaphorically; the words indicate a bird looking for its nest. The whole build-up, tempo changes and inputs by each musician make it a 'collective' beauty. -- Claver Menezes ft Prasad Salian/ Why I Shouldn't Hide Label: 1055475 Records DK Rating: *** In May, one of Mumbai's most talented rock vocalists Prasad Salian passed away. His brilliance is evident on this song from guitarist Claver Menezes' album ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Jayateerth Mevundi/  online concert organised by Sajda Festival UK Date: October 16 Rating: **** Keeping in mind the fact that it would be afternoon in London, vocalist Pt Jayateerth Mevundi began the Sajda Festival UK online concert on Saturday with raag Bhimpalasi. What was interesting that he chose to sing the vilambit cheez 'Ab Toh Badi Ber' in the lesser-played nine-beat Matta taal. The unfolding of the raag was smooth, with Mevundi displaying the grace and maturity that has come with nearly two decades of concert performance. Even his transition to the faster teentaal part 'Ja Ja Re Apni Mandirwa' was so natural, that it just flowed without jarring. The concert was a tribute to Kirana gharana maestro and Bharat Ratna Pt Bhimsen Joshi, whose birth centenary is on February 4. As such, Mevundi's choice of repertoire was appropriate and varied, moving from khayal and thumri-dadra to Hindustani bhajans, Marathi abhang, natya sangeet and Kannada ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Santana / Blessings And Miracles Genre: Rock Label: BMG Rights Management  Rating: *** In 1999, Santana released the album Supernatural,  collaborating with artistes from different genres. Following its huge success, guitarist and bandleader Carlos Santana made it a habit, following it up with the brilliant Shaman  and the forgettable All That I Am. Now, after a long gap, he returns to the formula on  Blessings And Miracles,  a title seemingly inspired by his ever-growing spiritual quests. It works for most part, as many songs are performed brilliantly, though you can recognise the Santana sound like the whiff of Brut. The prize attraction here is rock legend Steve Winwood, who at 73, sounds like a twentybopper on a fresh-coat adaptation of Procol Harum's 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'. Then, we have now-deceased jazz keyboard master Chick Corea on 'Angel Choir/ All Together', lending a jazz-fusion touch. There are the quintessential Santana ins...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Kenny Garrett/  Sounds Of The Ancestors  Genre:  Jazz  Label: Mack Avenue Rating: **** Mumbai's jazz fans would probably remember alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett's show at the Gateway of India 15 years ago. While that was straight-ahead jazz, his new album is much more eclectic. Sounds From The Ancestors  blends American post-bop jazz with African roots and Afro-Cuban sounds, thus creating a heady cocktail. Thus, while the mix should keep traditional-minded audiences happy, it should also cater to those who like some adventure in their sound. Garrett's music is characterised by flawless technique, spontaneous improvisation and amazing breath control, evident right from the opening track 'It's Time To Come Home'. With its distinct Afro-Cuban sound, the piece sets the mood, and interestingly the album concludes with a contrasting take of the same piece. There are two tributes here. 'Hargrove' is dedicated to late trumpeter Roy Hargrove, b...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto / The Lost Recordings Genre: Jazz Label: The Lost Recordings Rating:  **** 1/2 One of the best tenor saxophonists in jazz, Stan Getz also did some amazing work in Latin music, specially bossa nova. His rendition of the compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, most notably ‘The Girl From Ipanema’, ‘Corvocado’ and ‘Desafinado’, are classics. Getz had worked with Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto in the early 1960s, though he collaborated more with her husband Joao, including the iconic Getz/ Gilberto album. Astrud Gilberto’s career took an upward spiral after that, and though the two didn’t play for almost two years, they came back for this show at the Berlin Jazz Festival in November 1966. This previously-unreleased set thus makes for a collector’s item, specially for Getz fans. Astrud, in fact, appears only in the second half, and in the first, Getz plays with the phenomenal vibraphonist Gary Burton, bassist Chuck Israel ...