narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Shadaj Godkhindi & Others/ Drake Passage Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 The son of flautist Pravin Godkhindi, Shadaj Godkhindi has been showing promise among the younger generation of artistes. He now comes up with a genre-blending track 'Drake Passage', inspired by the stretch of water that connects South America with Antarctica. The idea is to use the passage as a metaphor to describe the free flow of sounds. Giving Shadaj company in this journey are guitarist Rickraj Nath, bassist Sheldon D'Silva, drummer Gino Banks and tabla player Ishaan Ghosh. Thought It's almost seven minutes long, the tune keeps one glued with the intense playing and spontaneous improvisation. It's a smooth amalgam of Indian classical with jazz, rock and world music, appropriately depicted in the video. Aparshakti Khurana/ First Sight Wala Love Label: T-Series Rating: **** Actor Aparshakti Khurana, known for the film Berlin and the OTT series Jubilee , composes...

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Ta Dhom Project/ There Ain't No Borders Label: Self-released  Rating: **** The brainchild of Mumbai-based mridangam exponent Viveick Rajagopalan, Ta Dhom Project blends Carnatic and assorted rhythms with rap phrases sung in different languages. As such, the sound is high on energy and coordination The project's new track 'There Ain't No Borders' has a self-explanatory title, as the five elements and the rainbow are used as metaphors to convey unity and togetherness. The rap portions are sung in consecutive spells by MC Khoj in Hindi, Arts Lord in Tamil and MC Dehaati in Bhojpuri, with dhol by Swarangi Savdekar and Yamini Khamkar, tasha by Pranav Dixit and jhanjh by Gaurang Dixit. The brass section adds to the sonic mix. All this is captured in rapidly-moving frames in the video by Sherrin Varghese. The passion and intensity of the musicians comes through clearly. Rahul Shah / Duur Jaane Par Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 All it takes is a...

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Elton John & Brandi Carlisle/ Who Believes In Angels? Genre : Pop-rock Label : WAB Recording/ EMI Rating : *** British superstar Elton John had earlier teamed up with the marvellous American singer Brandi Carlisle on the song 'Simple Things' in the 2021 multi-artiste collaborative album The Lockdown Sessions . The song had the Elton stamp written all over it, in terms of vocal construction and piano playing with some great harmonising between the two singers. The musicians now get together on an entire album Who Believes In Angels? , spread over 10 songs across 44 minutes. Naturally, one would expect the duo to continue from where they left off, but even after a few listens, one feels that isn't actually the case. A few numbers do shine but that is a given. Overall, there are portions that seem too experimental and incoherent, with a few fillers reducing the impact. Those who've grown up on the Elton of the 1970s may find his trademark sound ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR TV Dinner/ Non Believers Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 TV Dinner is the new project of Nischay Parekh, after his earlier outfit Parekh & Singh announced their disbanding. After releasing his song 'Guessing Games', Nischay is now out with 'Non Believers'. The song has an interesting story. He began writing it in 2016 after heartbreak, but completed it recently after marrying his best friend and becoming a father. As such it's about the promise of true love and never giving up. With a simple pop melody and relatable lyrics, Nischay has a winner here. A colourful video by Kevin Chris Johan goes perfectly with the lines that talk of numbing the pain and making it better. Tarun Balani/ Lajpat Nagar Sometimes Label: Berthold Records Rating; *** 1/2 New Delhi-based jazz drummer and composer Tarun Balani is due to release his debut album Kadahin Milandaasain . The.single pays tribute to the refugee colony he grew up in. 'Lajpat Nagar Somet...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Andorra/ Live in Mumbai Genre : Modern jazz Details ; NMACC Cube, April 3 Rating : **** There's something about north European jazz bands that gives them a unique touch. Maybe it's the adventurous in playing or the level of improvisation. Danish quintet Andorra proved that once again at the Cube theatre of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on Thursday. On a nine-concert tour of the country, organised by Gatecrash India, the band gave a bravura display on their Mumbai leg. From the very line-up, one would have expected some magic, and they gave exactly that. There were Mads La Cour on flugelhorn, Simon Krebs on guitar and Peter Kohlmetz Moller on keyboards, assisted on rhythm by bassist Morten Jorgenssen and drummer Nikolaj Bundvig. Though the artistes have known each other from music school 20 years ago, this band is only five years old, with three album releases - the self-titled debut, Current and their February release III . They belong to Od...