narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Sanskar Vaidya/ Samay Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Originally from Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Mumbai-settled singer-songwriter Sanskar Vaidya has been trained in both Indian and western styles. As such, he has released songs in both Hindi and English. His new song 'Samay' is from his forthcoming EP Koshishein . The lyrics portray time as a friend, beginning with the line, "Samay, zara ruko to sahi, do baatein karte jaao, yoon na sataao; Samay, meri bhi sunlo kabhi, achche kuchh pal hai yahin, inhe toh na churao". The guitars are used stylishly, and there's a wonderful solo. There are shades of an U2 influence. To add to the aura, Kamal Kochappan's video has a well-structured sequence of frames, moving from a room to a train to outdoor locales. A lot of ideation has obviously gone into both the sound and the look. Ramil Ganjoo/ Fursat Label: Robach Rating: *** Another song themed around the passage of time is Mumbai singer-songwriter Rami...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Apoorva Mudgal/ Dasht-e-Tanhai  Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Penned by Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the nazm 'Dasht-e-Tanhai' was made famous by singer Iqbal Bano, also from Pakistan. Now, we have a remarkable adaptation by Agra-born, New York-based artiste Apoorva Mudgal. Using the same melody, Apoorva's rendition is more loungey. The use of Ria Modak's guitar, Yacouba Sissoko's kora, Doug Wieselman's clarinet and Dan Kingsberg's bass gives it a unique flavour, with the vocals bringing out loneliness and nostalgia effectively. Apoorva has directed the video herself, using white, grey and brown beautifully. It's a wonderful tribute to both Faiz and Iqbal Bano. Pratibha Singh Baghel with Budapest Symphony Orchestra/ Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat Label: Sufiscore  Rating; **** While on Faiz Ahmed Faiz, we have another adaptation of his classic, with Pratibha Singh Baghel singing 'Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat'. The song is associ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Shekhar Ravjiani & Shreya Ghoshal/ Bas Kaafi Hai Label: Garudaa Music  Rating: **** After collaborating on 'Vaari Vaari' late last year, singers Shekhar Ravjiani and Shreya Ghoshal team up on 'Bas Kaafi Hai'. Shekhar, known for his film music composing work with Vishal Dadlani, also creates this tune. It's a simple love sung mostly as a duet in Hindi but with an uptempo English chorus at the middle and end. Manoj Yadav writes love-lorn lines like, "Ishq bole ya na bole kabhi, tere honton ki ik boli bhi, bas kaafi hai". Manas Takle's video is simple, as it features the singers enjoying their song. Musically and on screen, they complement each other well. Keshuv Huria & Prateeksha Srivastava/ Sitamber Label: Self-released  Rating: *** Another love song comes from singer-composer Keshuv Huria, who teams up with singer Prateeksha Srivastava on 'Sitamber' (Hindi for September). From the title, it's obvious that the s...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Rajeev Raja Combine/ Converging Streams Genre : Indo-fusion Details : Tata Theatre, Mumbai, October 13 Rating : **** With the western concert flute blending with Indian melodies and world music flavours, the album Cosmic Chant by Rajeev Raja Combine attracted many fans after its late 2013 release. A decade later, flautist and composer Rajeev Raja decide to call all those associated with his group on stage. Along with a few special guests, the Combine had a marvellous performance at the Tata Theatre on October 13. Part of the NCPA   Converging Streams series, it was a wonderful example of Indo-jazz-global fusion with just the right blend of melody, technique and improvisation. One, of course, wished more people attended. Only three of the auditorium's five wings were opened up, and yet one saw a number of empty seats, even on a Sunday evening. But those who came definitely had a gala time, as Rajeev's compositions took listeners on a journey from different...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Eric Clapton/ Meanwhile Genre : Blues-rock Label : EPC Enterprises/ Surfdog Records Rating : ** 1/2 Every time Eric Clapton releases an album, expectations are high. After all, the legendary musician has been around since the mid-1960s, and if you're reading this, you'd know his vast achievements. You greet his new album Meanwhile with the same nervous curiosity, even though only six of its songs are brand new studio releases and the remaining eight are ones that he's recorded or played live after the onset of the Pandemic. Like all his releases in the past two decades, Meanwhile is a mixed bag. There are a few songs that create an impression, and remind you of vintage Clapton. Producer Simon Climie's work is consistent and classy, with Jerry Douglas assisting him on two country-laced numbers. But the main issue is that most of the other songs have familiar tunes or riffs, and a style which Clapton has specialised in over the years. The more ardent...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Ishaan Nigam feat. Brite Roy/ Jogiya Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 After collaborating on tracks like 'O Chaand', 'Gumshuda Hoon Main' and 'Roobaroo', singer Ishaan Nigam and composer-lyricist Brite Roy are back on 'Jogiya'. The song talks about the journey of a solitary man who wants to find a companion. The use of sarod and sarangi add an Indian flavour, and the concluding vocal part uses semi-classical nuances well. The words use metaphors like. "Sadiyon se takhti raahein, nadiyon se lambi raatein", and the main lines, "Piya ishqa rang piya, jogiya tu hi man basiya" sum up the song's mood. Ishaan's controlled singing matches the emotions and the melody has a simplicity. Though there's a tendency to use conplex words like 'matihani' and 'nau-sikhiya', the song's meaning comes out well. Akshay-Ninaad/ Panchii Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 Guitarist Akshay Redekar and...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Coldplay/ Moon Music  Genre : Confused Label : Parlophone Rating : ** Six listens into Coldplay's much-awaited new album Moon Music , and one is still confused about the direction it wants to take. It's been described in the promos as pop-rock, but one needs to excavate deeply to find traces of rock. What we get is an oddball mix of bubblegum pop, vocalising and ambient textures with a dash of disco, hip-hop and Afro-chant. But wait, it's fashionable to like whatever Coldplay does, even if it means being hopeful after being No 999,999 in queue for their proposed shows in Mumbai, with zero knowledge about the band and Rs 12k or multiples ready to dish out. Critics may say whatever they want, but vocalist-pianist Chris Martin is one of the most sought after and dishy stars in the world, and the Coldplay live shows always promise a memorable experience, going by those who have attended them. The conundrum lies with their studio albums. After their 2000 debu...