narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Zehen/ O Raahi Label: Self-released  Rating: ***** Though Bengaluru band Zehen has been performing live for some time, 'O Raahi' is its first original studio release. And what a way to go, as the song talks about speaking to one's inner child with the assurance of a perfect future. Vocalist Tanushree Dwivedi, who's also written the lyrics, sings, "O raahi, le chal mujhko, raahon mein hi jee loongi, manzilon mein kya rakha hai?" Composer Ashley Joseph blends a melodious hook with intricate solos on the violin (by Krishnaraj MP) and electric guitar (James Stephenus). The animation video, created by Shaun Fernandes and produced by Harsh Vardhan Singh, is first-rate too, going with the inspiring nature of the song. This one should appeal to both the younger generation and those slightly elder. Kidshot & Kalaam Ink/ Do Shabd Label: Molfa Music  Rating: *** Two rappers unite on 'Do Shabd'. Mumbai-based Rahul Khadtare aka Kidshot colla

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR The Next Dimension feat Gary Husband, Etienne MBappe & Ranjit Barot  Genre : Jazz, world music Details ; NMACC Studio, August 29 Rating : **** We've seen these gentlemen together on the same stage before, at Mumbai's St Andrew's, NCPA and Royal Opera House. On those occasions, they were giving company to legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, as part of his band The 4th Dimension. On Thursday night, British keyboardist Gary Husband, Paris-settled Cameroonian bassist Etienne MBappe and Mumbai's very own drum chum Ranjit Barot got together as a trio at the NMACC Studio, under the name The Next Dimension. In keeping with that title, they produced jazz of the next level. Barring a couple of technology-induced hiccups, the music flowed smoothly for 90 minutes, as the musicians moved between themes and tempos with pinpoint accuracy and effortless mastery. In one of the highlights, Gary left his keyboards to play a vibrant drum piece, in a duet with Ranjit

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Antaheen/ Long Story Short Genre : Hindi-rock Label : Self-released  Rating : **** On initial listening, one thing that strikes you about Pune band Antaheen's new album Long Story Short is the sheer quality of guitarwork. From melodic runs and rugged chops to tasteful fill-ins and imaginative structures, everything's packed in. Guitarist Amar Kulkarni is on a roll, with producer Vinay Kaushal, himself an accomplished guitarist, making a significant contribution to the overall result. From the title, one may think it's an English set, but Long Story Short has six Hindi songs and one in English. One doesn't know why the Angrezi 'Floating' was placed bang in the middle of the tracklist, but it works. The sound is a mix of old-school pop-rock and grunge, with lyrics talking of existentialism, life's journeys and personal issues. While Amar is on lead vocals himself, drummer Ashish Kukreja and bassist Niraj Pandit complete the tight li

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Jaimin & The  Journeymen/ Can't Get Away Label: Self-released  Rating: **** After his fabulous 2022 album Cutting Loose , Kolkata-based singer-songwriter Jaimin Rajani released the duet 'No Vices' with Kadambari Zokarkar earlier this year. On his latest single, 'Can't Get Away', he collaborates with American group The Bluegrass Journeymen. The song, which talks about loss, struggle and uncertainty, was conceived after Jaimin met mandolin player Patrick Fitzsimons in Santiniketan. It features an assortment of instruments like mandolin, dobro, cello, guitar, banjo, violin, bass and ukulele. It was recorded as a single track but the instruments were isolated in the studio. The lyrics are heartfelt and moving, with lines like, "I'll dread the day for long I have known, it was wrong to fall for the quiet before the storm; can't keep at bay waves that hit the shore, can't get the warmth from a frozen heart, you know". Anoth

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR HanuMankind feat. Kalmi/ Big Dawgs Label: Universal Music India/ Def Jam  Rating: **** After debuting at No 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 , Kerala-born rapper HanuMankind's new track 'Big Dawgs' surpassed Kendrick Lamar and Eminem on Spotify's Global Top 50 charts. Though he had attracted a following with 'Go To Sleep' last year, the new track has made him a star in the rap world. The song is an energetic number, produced by Kalmi. The catchy start sets the tempo, as HanuMankind sings, "Wait a minute, get it how you live it, ten toes in when we're standing on business, I'm a big stepper, underground methods, top-notch hoes gets the most, not the lesser". The song on its own is a typical rapper, but what sets the release apart is Bijoy Shetty's daredevil video where motorcycles and vehicles perform stunts in the 'wall of death'. Clearly, one of the funkiest videos put out over the past couple of years. It's

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  All About Music 2024 conference  Details ; August 6 to 8, Hotel Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz East Even before I left home to attend the opening day of the three-day All About Music 2024 conference on August 6, a friend posted on Facebook about the traffic. I quipped about whether he was talking of traffic on the way to the venue or within the premises. What I figured out once I reached there was that the jam was right at the entrance. For the first time after demonetisation in 2016, I had to stand in such a long queue, just for registration. So my bucket list item of attending a panel discussion featuring A.R. Rahman, and hopefully getting a selfie with him to post on his birthday, went for a toss. The music director was part of a group that talked of 'Democratising Access To Immersive Music Creation Through Technology, Innovation and Education'. Have you ever heard such a long title for a panel discussion that could have been simply called 'Immersive Music

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Kitanu/ How The Tables Turn   Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Progressive rock meets Indian classical sarod on 'How The Tables Turn', the latest track by eclectic Delhi band Kitanu. "Can't you see the irony of everything we tend to be, tragedy of a meant to be, was I tripping on the doors of destiny", sings vocalist Siddhant Sarkar, who written the lyrics. Sarod player Rohan Prasanna does some virtuoso playing, playing phrases parallel to the vocal line. While guitarist Omkar Raghupatruni and bassist Pranav Wahi are part of the line-up, the band has collaborated with drummer Rijul Victor on this track. After the vocal section, almost two and a half minutes of instrumental improvisation bring the seven-minute tune to a rousing climax. Stylishly done. Arriv Madan feat. Advy Madan & Hitesh Rikki Madan/ Muzmahil Label: Self-released Rating: *** 1/2 Singer-guitarist Hitesh Rikki Madan has been performing with his sons Aariv and Advy for a whi