Tubby/ Pitara

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Tubby/ Pitara

Genre: Indo-jazz fusion

Label: Inkk Audio

Rating: ****

Even a cursory look at the artiste line-up is good enough to ensure that this new release will have plenty of variety. And that's what Indrajit Sharma aka Tubby gives you on his latest album Pitara.

On this seven-track project, the composer-producer has teamed up with some prolific musicians from the Indian jazz and fusion world. With each of the songs having a different guest, there's something stylistically different as we move along. A folk flavour on some tracks adds to the Indo-jazz fusion mix.

Drummer Gino Banks plays on all tracks, and bassist Sheldon D'Silva on six. Tubby himself sings on the opening number 'Malakal', with appearances by tabla wiz Ojas Adhiya and mandolin player Lakshmikant Sharma.

Vocalist Varijashree blends well with the instrumental arrangement on 'Kabini', whereas Gujarati singer Jatin Darji adds a folk touch on 'Jambur', which ends a bit abruptly. The other track with vocals is 'Funktarang', where Bengaluru artiste Prakash Sontakke sings and plays a delightful electro Hawaiian guitar, with Sheldon's bass caressing the backdrop.

Rakesh Chaurasia's flute are in tandem with the funky fill-ins and improvisation on 'Baahni', and the experienced Ravi Chary's sitar adorns the concluding number 'Sitaren'. The big surprise, perhaps, is 'Petipack', featuring Tanmay Deochake on harmonium. The instrument isn't heard too much on a fusion album, and the Hindi film vibe makes it unique.

At a length of just 31 minutes, Pitara is compact. The use of spatial audio enhances the experience, and the contribution of varied talents makes it special.



Comments

  1. HomoSapiensWannaBeSeptember 18, 2023 at 8:03 AM

    I'm in my mid 60's and have been listening to Jazz Fusion since the great bands of the 70's. I am impressed with Indrajit Sharma's exciting, unique and brilliant music and playing, and how he weaves Indian influences into such a modern soundscape. His fellow musicians Sheldon D'Silva and Gino Banks are new favorites, too. His first album Funktub is fantastic, and though it is hard to pick a single tune from both albums, I would say that "Keyper" from Funktub is the one that most blows me away. These albums also SOUND amazing, and are very well recorded, mixed and mastered.

    I am eager to hear the next album(s) by the musical genius who goes by the name of Tubby!

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

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