narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Porcupine Tree - Closure/ Continuation  Genre: Progressive rock Label: Music For Nations/ Sony Rating; *** 1/2 After the 2009 album The Incident , British band Porcupine Tree's frontman Steven Wilson focused on releasing solo material, including last year's The Future Bites,  besides continuing his passion for remixing great albums released by the classic rock maestros in the 1970s. In fact, one section of rock lovers recognises him more of his Jethro Tull remixes, whether or not they liked them. What nobody knew for a long time was that Wilson, along with Porcupine Tree keyboardist Richard Barbieri and drummer Gavin Harrison, were secretly working on a set of new songs. Long-time bassist Colin Edwin wasn't part of this new scheme of things. One doesn't know what took Porcupine Tree so long to finally release Closure / Continuation , a title obviously talking of a comeback after a long gap. But the news was hailed by fans who heard of it last year. Re...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Yogesh Rairikar feat. Ashwin Srinivasan and Amruta Natu/ Suno Na... Promoted by: Yogesh Rairikar Originals  Rating: **** To mark music director R.D. Burman's 83rd birth anniversary on June 27, composer Yogesh Rairikar has created the original tribute 'Suno Na...'. The basic idea is to produce a tune using Pancham Da's style and trademark touches. Ashwin Srinivasan, who's also written the lyrics and arranged the song, takes to the vocals mic along with Amruta Natu. The song is well-executed, with the pauses, ID Rao's saxophone interlude, Manish Kulkarni's Spanish guitar and even the climax following the Pancham style sheet effectively. The video begins with a segment wishing the maestro. Much of it is shot in the studio but there is a part where musicians pay obeisance to a portrait, created by Sumeet Patil. All in all, it is a timely and heartfelt tribute. Antariksh feat. Shruti Dhasmana & Abhay Sharma/ Yeh Jhootha Samaa Label: Self-re...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Kula Shaker/ 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love (And Free Hugs) Genre: Rock/ alternative  Label: StrangeFOLK LLP Rating: **** Many Indian rock fans remember British band Kula Shaker for their songs 'Govinda' and 'Tattva', which as their titles suggest, were heavily influenced by Indian spirituality. The later albums used Indian music too, but the overall sound also had influences of late 1960s psychedelic rock, 1970s prog and 1990s Britpop. Frontman Crispian Mills is an amazing songwriter, aided in composition by bassist Alonza Bevan, and the band's albums have always been filled with variety and flashes of genius. The new release, the interestingly titled 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love (And Free Hugs), is a double concept album set in a rural place called Little Sodbury. There's a parishioner welcoming the gathering and the songs are interspersed with mini-sermons laced with humour. The Biblical metaphor of St Michael getti...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Gayatri Asokan/ Rakhunga Sambhal Ke Promoter: Bazm-e-Khas Rating: *** 1/2 In her latest ghazal, Gayatri Asokan sings Raza Bhopali's lines, "Rakhunga zindagi bhar uski yaadein sambhal ke, jee na sakoonga main usey dil se nikaal ke". The poetry is simple, effective and nostalgic, making good use of kafiyas or rhymes. Alap Desai's composition matches the poetry, and Manas Kumar's violin adds to the charm. The video is a straightforward live recording in the studio. The interesting bit is that the poet's takhallus (pen name) is used at the end ("Kehne laga 'Raza' inhe rakhna sambhal ke"). That practice isn't noticed too often in contemporary ghazal writing, and its use is welcome here. Amrita Kak ft. Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash/ Chaap Tilak Label: Panorama Music Rating: *** Written by the legendary Amir Khusro, 'Chaap Tilak' has been regularly performed at Sufi concerts over the years. There have be...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Toni Pinto ft Samantha Noella/ Will You Remember Me Label: Self-released  Rating: **** This ballad's as beautiful as they come. Mumbai-based Samantha Noella sings pianist Toni Pinto's composition and Ernest Flanagan's lyrics, and the combination works just perfectly. "But like a passing season, you left without a reason, leaving me wondering what I had done wrong, what am I to do", sings Samantha in her beautifully-controlled voice, before she asks, "Will you remember me as I remember you?" While Pinto's gorgeous piano line holds the backdrop, bassist Vivian D'Souza and drummer Angelo Colasco firm up the rhythm section. It's a simple tune about heartbreak, written well, and is perfect to sing along to. Alisha Chinai/ Chamkegaa India Label: Zee Music Company  Rating: *** In 1995, Alisha Chinai's 'Made In India' became one of the biggest Indipop hits ever. Now, 27 years later, she releases 'Chamkegaa India...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Event: World Jazz Festival Genre : Jazz Details : St Andrew's Auditorium, Bandra, June 4 and 5 Rating : *** 1/2 In February 2020, a little over a month before the lockdown, the first edition of the World Jazz Festival was organised by Banyan Tree at Bandra's St Andrew's Auditorium. Amersfoort, the well-known Dutch jazz festival, helped in putting things together. The event received a favorable response, and plans were to make it an annual affair. Naturally, things got delayed, and at the first conceivable opportunity, the organisers brought in Part 2 at the same venue on June 4 and 5. If Pune was the second city last time, it was Bengaluru this year. To be honest, one had a few apprehensions before the event, moreso because four of the main performers have played in Mumbai before, with trumpeter Saskia Laroo and saxophonist Ben Van Den Dungen performing multiple times. But those fears were short-lived, once the music began, as the audience witnessed some...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Folk Masti/ Jadoo Ki Chhadi Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Picturesque landscapes, green woods, snow-capped terrain and open fields embellish the video of Folk Masti's new song 'Jadoo Ki Chhadi'. As its name suggests, the group comprises musicians having fun with folk music. Vocalist-guitarist Vipul Panchal, keyboardist Samadhan Guldagde, percussionist Roshan Aade and bassist Prince Mangan combine to create a track that pays tribute to the environment. The lines "Chhadi jadoo ki ghumai, meri zindagi banaayi" are filled with gratitude. Rahul Chavan's video goes perfectly with the song, and has been shot with imagination. After 'Kahaniya', this is another mast number by Folk Masti. Bandish Vaz/ Hum Hi Hum The Label: Tips Originals Rating: *** The new single from Tips Originals, 'Hum Hi Hum The', features singer Bandish Vaz, who sings about the good memories love can offer. It's a simple love song composed by Shameer T...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Arshad Ali Khan & Ronkini Gupta/ Saiyyan Label: Sufiscore  Rating: **** On 'Saiyyan', classical vocalist Arshad Ali Khan and his disciple Ronkini Gupta collaborate in a conversational format, with both taking equal turns. Santanu Ghatak's composition has been well-structured. The song is rich in melody, and the singers make perfect use of nuances. Accompanied by Mehtab Ali Khan on sitar, Ashish Ragwani on tabla and Adinath Patkar on keyboards, they provide something aesthetic. Santanu's lyrics are simple, using traditional Hindi effectively. Sagar Kesarkar's video uses a grand, palatial setting which is becoming common and predictable for light classical songs these days. But in the end, the sheer melody of the song rules. Tubby/ Give Me Love Label: Inkk Audio Rating: *** Composer-producer Indrajit Sharma aka Tubby has sung this new song called 'Give Me Love', with lyrics by Sonam Saini. It's a simple love song with a catchy hook ...