narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Yes/ Mirror To The Sky Genre : Progresive rock Label : InsideOut Music Rating : *** 1/2 English progressive rock group is best known for the early 1970s albums Fragile and Close To The Edge , featuring the classic line-up of vocalist Jon Anderson, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Bill Bruford. After many changes, and the deaths of Squire and long-time drummer Alan White, Howe is the only veteran to remain in the group. Underrated but amazing as a guitarist, Howe drives the band forward on its 23rd album Mirror To The Sky. Like the 2021 album The Quest , he plays the role of producer. Others in the group are vocalist Jon Davison, who's been with Yes since 2012, former Asia bandmate Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood and American drummer Jay Schellen, who's replaced the late White. The Fames Studio Orchestra, conducted by Oleg Kondratenko, chips in with the orchestral flourishes. Like vintage Yes, most songs a...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Hashbass feat. Warren Mendonsa/ Infinite Worlds Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Bassist Harshit Misra, known in music circles as Hashbass, teams up with guitarist Warren Mendonsa of Blackstratblues on his new electronica single 'Infinite Worlds'. The song has a 1980s wobble bass vibe though a contemporary aura is blended well. Beginning with a flurry of synths played against heady rhythms and a vocal line, the track moves on into Warren's astounding solo, which gives a totally new dimension, before returning to a synth climax. The video takes you through a journey of synth shots, neon lights and video-game imagery. This is cutting-edge stuff that grows on loop. Unnati Shah feat. D. Abdul/ Chori Chori Label: Self-released  Rating: *** Singer Unnati Shah blends a chillout lounge flavour with Afro rhythms and hip-hop on her new track 'Chori Chori'. The song's plus point is its hook, which sticks on. The opening lines are, "Chori chori, te...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  The Bodhisattva Trio feat The Mimika Orchestra/ Ghosts Of Mars Label: Intek Music Rating: **** The hugely experimental and avant garde Kolkata jazz-fusion band The Bodhisattva Trio teams up with the Mimika Orchestra of Croatia on the album Frontier . While the entire album is available on streaming platforms, the track 'Ghosts Of Mars' can be heard on YouTube as an audio recording. The concept album is like a conversation between three astronauts, represented by the Trio, and forces of outer space, comprising the Croatian orchestra, conducted by Mak Murtic. Guitarist Bodhisattva Ghosh, keyboardist Shonai and drummer Premjit Dutta are joined by flute, saxophones, tuba, trumpet and trombone. 'Ghosts Of Mars' has a smooth flute part, intricate horn arrangements and plenty of guitar improvisation. It's the fourth of the 11th track in the concept album, and one of the more energetic pieces, though it does get overcrowded at some points. Space Hydra/ O...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Baiju Mangeshkar/ Jheeni Jheeni Beeni Chadariya Label: Saregama India Rating; **** In his recent album Man Mast Kabira , singer Baiju Mangeshkar has explored the works of Sant Kabir. One of the choices is the timeless Nirgun bhajan 'Jheeni Jheeni Beeni Chadariya'. Though the song has been rendered by numerous artistes from Kumar Gandharva and Pandit Jasraj to Anup Jalota and a variant by Indian Ocean, Baiju's voice has a certain pleasantness that makes his presentation endearing. The song compares the making of a human frame to the way an artisan weaves his wrap. Chintoo Singh's guitar, Tapas Das's acoustic rhythm guitar and Writam Changkakoti's keyboards blend with Baiju's voice. The album also has popular Kabir works like 'Moko Kahaan Dhoonde Bande' and 'Ud Jaayega Hans Akela'. Kavita Seth/ Uski Awaaz Label: Self-released  Rating: *** Singer Kavita Seth was recently in the news for winning the Filmfare best female playba...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Yaksha/ Lacuna Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Yaksha is an experiential collaboration featuring guitarist Aditya Mohanan and handpan player Ishaan Zaveri. Their speciality lies in blending acoustic music with sounds of nature. 'Lacuna', from their new self-titled EP, is a well-constructed, seven-minute instrumental piece blending raags Mohanam and Kalyani, with the chirping of birds and other natural sounds heard in the backdrop. The two musicians improvise freely, going back and forth in total sync. The tune has been filmed in an orchard on the outskirts of Mumbai, adding to the natural ambience and serene experience. Sanjay Maroo/ Holding On Label: Self-released Rating: *** 1/2 Multi-faceted artiste Sanjay Maroo has played drums for the Les Boys, Rock Machine and fusion band Divya, besides releasing his own albums as an Indipop singer. While his 1999 song 'Tu Hi Tu' is much remembered, last year's 'Kal Ka Bharosa' was admired by fan...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Concert : International Jazz Day 2023 Artistes : Various; curated by Louiz Banks  Genre : Jazz Details : Tata Theatre, April 30 Rating : *** 1/2 Mumbai's jazz fans were spoilt for choice over the weekend, as event organisers went all-out to celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30. Connoisseurs raved over Brazilian saxophonist Lucas Santana at the two-day World Jazz Festival presented by Banyan Tree at Bandra's Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir. At Lower Parel's AntiSocial, guitarist Adil Manuel curated a Saturday jazz night. The Revolver Club organised vinyl listening sessions, presentations and gigs at Veranda, Bandra. French band Miss Kiss played at the BlueBop Cafe in Khar. And finally, Louiz Banks curated the annual mega-event at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, on Sunday. With so much happening simultaneously, this blogger could only attend the NCPA show, having already committed to the Carnatic percussion quartet featuring ghatam maestro Vikku Vinayakram and k...