narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Geetika Varde Qureshi/ Ek Musafir Label: Self-released Rating: ***** Almost 22 years later, one still listens to 'Nand', sung by Geetika Varde Qureshi in her husband, percussionist Taufiq Qureshi's album RhyDhun . Geetika has now written, composed and sung the track 'Ek Musafir'. The song has a very soulful melody that keeps one glued through the eight-minute length. But it's the lyrics that really stand out, as recited Hindi lines are accompanied by printed text passages in English. The line, "Ek musafir dhoondh raha hai, khuli palke moond raha hai" is preceded by the written text, "but what's yet to come can be a fresh weave". Of course, that's just a sample. The true depth and philosophy of the song can be grasped when heard in its entirety, as it talks of the power of music. The production by Taufiq is perfect, and Dipesh Verma plays madal. The video, conceptualised by Kadambari Desai and shot by Taufiq, shows G

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Preview: Khazana, A Festival Of Ghazals Artistes: Pankaj Udhas, Talat Aziz, Anup Jalota, Hariharan, Rekha Bhardwaj, others Genre: Ghazal Details: July 29 and 30, 7 pm, Regal Room, Trident, Mumbai Presented by: Trident and Union Bank Of India Over the years, there have been numerous memories of Khazana, the annual ghazal festival at the Trident, Mumbai. There was Pankaj Udhas singing 'Chitthi Aayi Hai' and 'Ahista'. There was Talat Aziz presenting 'Kaise Sukoon Paaoon'  and 'Zindagi Jab Bhi'. You had drummer Shivamani making a surprise appearance when his wife Runaa Rizvii was singing. And you had the maestros Rajendra Mehta, Rajkumar Rizvi and Bhupinder, who have sadly left us. Started in 2002 as a result of a conversation between Udhas, Aziz and Anup Jalota about reviving an earlier festival, Khazana has had a special place in the world of ghazals. Driven by Udhas, it's held for a worthy cause of providing assistance to cancer an

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Various artistes/ Khoobsurat Presenter: Raahein By Dear Sunshine  Rating: **** Over the past several months, Delhi-based Raahein By Dear Sunshine has released some wonderful traditional tunes featuring medium-sized ensembles performing at heritage locations. The latest is 'Khoobsurat', a ghazal that acts as an ode to inner beauty. The main singers are Mohd Nizam, Swapnalie Sachdev and Saleem Raja. Written by Ameen Badshah, the lines, "Mohabbat se kaho jaanam, mohabbat khoobsurat hai; khuda ne di hai jo daulat, woh daulat khoobsurat hai" brim with positivity and joy. The violin, sarangi, sitar, guitar, harmonium, keyboard, bass and tabla combine to add charm to Risshi Sachdev's composition and arrangements. The song grows on repeated listening, and special note must be made to the diction of the singers. Shillong Chamber Choir/ The Great Indian Train Journey Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 This song was written and composed by Shillong mae

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Alan Parsons/ From The New World Genre: Rock Label: Frontiers Records Rating: **** After a quick mingling of ringing guitars and power-drums, the words begin "In a dream within a dream, we saw beyond the sky, and drew a constellation, in the shape of Gemini: We turned our sails into the wind, and climbed up to the heights, raised a glass and made a toast, and wrote our name in lights". A steady bassline, lush piano, wailing guitar and a gorgeous burst of saxophone takes over. Welcome to 'Fare Thee Well', which opens the new Alan Parsons album From The New World . It's his sixth solo album released only under his name, without the Project tagline, but that doesn't make a difference. The sound is very much reminiscent of classic Alan Parsons Project albums like  I   Robot, Eye In The Sky and Vulture Culture. The album, like standard Parsons outings, blends elements of progressive, symphonic and classic rock. The title itself is inspired by Cz

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Lydian Nadhaswaram feat Dave Weckl & Rajhesh Vaidhya/ Spark-Plug  Label: Self-released  Rating: ***** Indian jazz and fusion fans have been long awaiting the release of 16-year-old prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram's debut album Chromatic Grammatic , featuring a host of Indian and international maestros. The first single 'Spark-Plug' is now out, and joining Lydian are renowned American drummer Dave Weckl and veena wizard Rajhesh Vaidhya. It's a beauty of a track, seven minutes long and shot from different locations in black n' white. It's filled with manic energy, virtuoso musicianship, surprise time signature changes, sudden tempo shifts and sheer genius. Lydian is known for playing the piano, and he does that with natural flair. But here he simultaneously plays the bass, and is bang-on. He's also a fantastic drummer but that job is taken by Weckl, one of the greatest drummers in the modern era, best known for his work with the Chick Corea

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Arijit Singh/ Gaaye Ja Label: Oriyon Music  Rating: *** 1/2 Last year, singer Arijit Singh floated his own label Oriyon Music, tasting success with the Pagglait soundtrack. He's released some interesting singles, including the new one 'Gaaye Ja'. It's quite an experimental track, composed and produced by Sunny MR, and sung by Arijit himself. Shloke Lal's lyrics talk of daily struggles and the desire to face challenges. Radio-like samples in the beginning, Ankur Mukherjee's unorthodox guitar and the classical-meets-electronica climax lend a twist. Equally interesting is the video, conceptualised by Koyel Singh and Arijit, and featuring Vartika Jha (in picture) and Shashank Dogra. Some offbeat stuff here. RedZing feat. @AniketHipHop/ Khubsoorat Label: Self-released  Rating: *** Following the success of the film Gully Boy three years ago, many underground and independent hip-hop acts have sprung up. One of them is Arbaz Hanif Shaikh aka RedZin