Naren's indie round-up/ Dec 2022, Ep 3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Ernest J. Flanagan/ Christmas Morn Blues

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Mumbai musician Ernest J. Flanagan has released an original blues song, and it's not about waking up one morning to find the baby gone away. Rather, 'Christmas Morn Blues' is a song with a powerful message, praying for global peace.

Flanagan's words are self-explanatory. "'Round the world, there's wars going on, too much fussin' and fightin' on this Christmas morn, there ain't nothin' that we can do but bow down and pray, to that baby born new," he sings.

While the production by Tony Dias is tight, there's some fabulous guitarwork by Salim John Sadiq, both in the subtle fill-ins and in the short solo. Best of all, the song sticks to the traditional blues format, with its technique and purity.

Priyanka Nath/ Dancing All Night

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Settled in Hyderabad, singer-songwriter Priyanka Nath has released quite a few originals over the past couple of years. She's been prolific in 2022, with the songs 'Run', 'Stay With Me' and 'Oh Darling!'.

Priyanka's latest release 'Dancing All Night', sees her in a more dancey mood, with a dash of uptempo rhythm n' blues. "We could be dancing all night, to the rhythm so fine, till we set the stage right, till we feelin' all right", she sings.

Though one senses a Taylor Swift influence in her songs, Priyanka has displayed good variety, from ballads to folk-infused songs to foot-tappers. The dedication is also apparent.

DJ Snake feat. Wade & Nooran Sisters/ Guddi Riddim

Label: DJ Snake Productions/ Interscope

Rating: ** 1/2

In 2014, A.R. Rahman released male and female versions of the track 'Patakha Guddi' in the film Highway. The latter, sung by Nooran Sisters Sultana and Jyoti, now attracts the attention of Algerian-French producer DJ Snake.

Teaming up with Spanish jock Wade, Snake has  released 'Guddi Riddim'. Needless to say, it's a tweaked version of 'Patakha Guddi' with some extra echo effects, volume fluctuations and some new rhythmplay.

Interestingly, the YouTube official video (oops, the term used today is 'visualiser') seems unaware of Rahman’s existence. The only reference to the original is a #patakhaguddi hashtag. Luckily, they credit Nooran Sisters, instead of some fictitious Parisian duo.

Prateek Gandhi/ Naina Ri Patang

Label: Machaao Music

Rating: ***

Singer-songwriter Prateek Gandhi has a pleasant voice and good sense of melody. He proves that once again on 'Naina Ri Patang', a song that uses the analogy of kites to describe a romantic relationship.

"Mhare naina ri patang thare nainon se pech ladaaave", he sings. The video has a small-town charm that's relatable. Directed by Kunal Uday Karwade, it stars Ashish Drall and Sidhika Sharma, with a brief appearance by Prateek.

The song would be ideal for the Makar Sankranti festivities in January. Play it while flying a colourful kite.

The PriyaRang Project/ Jiya Mora Re

Label: Self-released 

Ratimg: ****

The PriyaRang Project comprises singer Priyanka Barve, best known for playing Anarkali in the stage adaptation of Mughal-e-Azam, and her husband, sarod exponent Sarang Kulkarni. Their latest release 'Jiya Mora Re' talks about a woman longing to meet her partner.

The song begins with a rich sargam passage before the words take over. While the sarod is played beautifully, there are contributions from guitarist Bhushan Chitnis and tabla player Aashay Kulkarni.

While Pankaj Khanchandani's video has forests and the sea in the backdrop, the ambient effects and natural sounds add to the song's aura, going perfectly with Priyanka's vocals.