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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Music conference/ All About Music X Presented by : TM Management with help from thumpN Details : Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz, August 25 to 27 The much-awaited All About Music conference had its 10th edition at the Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz, from August 25 to 27. Over the years, it has been an important part of the industry calendar, providing insights on the state of affairs and a platform for networking. Months of planning and hard work obviously go behind its execution.  Yet, it's always had its limitations because too much is happening simultaneously. Like every year, there were panel discussions, conversations and artiste pitches in the three ballrooms, workshops and how-to-do-it sessions in another corner, performances somewhere else and the popular 'Connect Corner' in an another spot. Not to talk of a sizeable bunch who didn't attend any of them, preferring to make fresh contacts in the main lounge. Many of the sessions this year dropped the term ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Greg Banaszak Trio Genre : Jazz  Details : Experimental Theatre, August 22 Rating: **** 1/2 Joe Alvares with Gino Banks & Friends Genre : Vocal jazz Details : Prithvi Theatre, August 23 Rating : **** Two venues hosting jazz concerts in Mumbai had contrasting types of audiences over the weekend. Senior citizens were prominent at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA, where saxophonist Greg Banaszak played with his trio on Saturday evening. The following morning, a sizeable number of youngsters were seen at the Prithvi Theatre, where veteran singer Joe Alvares performed with musicians much younger than him. On the one hand, it was a good sign to indicate that jazz appeals to different generations, at least in Mumbai. Both the shows were dominated by standards and older jazz tunes, with a few originals thrown in. But what one observed is a marked difference in the way the audience responded. The older crowd at the Experimental applauded spontaneously after every ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Ronojit Bhuyan & Giacomo Tora/ Resonances Genre : Western classical piano Details : The Cube, NMACC, August 20 Rating : **** Pianists Ronojit Bhuyan and Giacomo Tora (on left in picture) met while studying at London's Trinity Labon Conservatory of Music & Dance. After becoming friends, they decided to form a musical partnership. One thing led to another, and on Thursday, they performed several pieces individually before coming together on a fresh arrangement involving four hands. The show was called Resonances and the venue was the Cube theatre of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Mumbai. The repertoire comprised a good mix of baroque music, Romantic Era pieces, a waltz and French impressionist compositions. And the audience was in for a surprise when Giacomo played a piano version of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's Hindi film song 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. And for the four-hand finale، the young Italian pianist had composed a piano arrangement of A.R. Ra...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR   Farak/ Taare Language & genre: Hindi, Sufi-pop Label: Mashooriya, Mass Appeal Rating: *** 1/2 Lucknow-based artiste Farak is out with his three-song EP Duniya Ke Uss Paar.  His sound uses many traditional elements including qawwali, but he also displays flavours of hip-hop and desi rap. 'Taare' is the video song from the EP. It begins, "Hamara thokro se kuch purana khaas naata, hai jisne ishq hi dekha na, woh rab ka dulara hai". There's a brief poetry interlude, and Saswat Balan provides backing vocals. 10A's production uses harmonium effectively, and there are sounds of clapping and applause to give a live effect. The video, by Sahil Akhtar, uses a simple narrative, with Rupali Mishra as the female lead. It's an average video but the tune's hook and lilt make up. Anvaya/ Churaya  Language & genre: Hindi, electronic dance Label: Indo Warehouse  Rating: *** 1/2 DJ-producer duo Anvaya comprises US-bred Kaushal and Sonia, who ...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience / Various artistes Genre ; Blues Label : Ground Zero Blues Club Media/ Universal Music  Rating : ***** Though he's primarily known as an actor, Morgan Freeman is also recognised for his passion for the blues. In 2001, he started the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and in his latest project, he brings together some stellar artistes from the genre to present blues anthems with a symphonic touch. As a performer, Freeman hardly appears in Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience , a 12-track album running into a brisk 43 minutes. He recites a short introduction to the history and role of the blues in the opening track 'Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground' before singer Keith Johnson takes over. Then on, we hear a wonderful line-up of artistes, with accompaniment by the Ground Zero Blues Club Band and the Chineke! Orchestra conducted by Martin Gellner. In the Indian context, wh...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Runway Historia/ Like No Tomorrow Language & genre: English, fusion rock Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 I recently heard Pune hard rock band Runway Historia play Guns N' Roses and AC/ DC covers at Mumbai's AntiSocial, opening for Teemeer Chimulkar's Sceptr3. They also did their original 'Like No Tomorrow'. The song was released in June, and what's interesting is that a sitar has been added to the hard rock sound. Vocalist Rons Thakur sings, "And we go, we go, we go at it like no tomorrow". The band has composer-lyricist Varun Singh on guitars and bass and Anshuman Walia on guitars, besides guests Stavya on sitar and Deep Menon on drums. The video shows them live in.a studio with Aarum on bass and Ranveer Singh on drums. The 'sitar aur guitar' jam lends some variety to this burst of energy. Peep Peep & Akash/ Tipsy Topsy Tears Language & genre: English, ballad Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Preeti Kuber...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Musafir Café/ OTT soundtrack  Music : Garvit-Priyansh, Raghav Kaushik, Neel Adhikari  Genre : Hindi OTT Label : Netflix Music/ T-Series  Rating : *** 1/2 Did Sudha (Vedika Pinto) do the right thing? Should Chander (Vikrant Massey) have gone to the hills? Poor Preeti (Mahima Makwana). The storyline and cast of Ruchir Arun's Netflix series Musafir Café seems to be the hot discussion these days - till something else comes up. What many people are not talking about is the music. And that's what this blog will focus on. After a while, here's an OTT soundtrack with some meat. What's interesting is that besides the original songs, the producers have released an album of Unplugged versions. Given the series theme, the songs deal with love or heartbreak. The lyrics, divided between Aniket Shukla and Amrita Saluja, are particularly impressive, matching the moods and situations in the narrative. They are backed by simple compositions, with well-layered harmonie...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Vernon D'Souza/ Lay Down With Me  Language & genre: English, pop-rock Label: Self-released  Rating: **** 1/2 Singer Vernon D'Souza has been a regular performer on Mumbai's live circuit. He has earlier released the song 'Gypsy On The Run' and now comes out with the anti-war number 'Lay Down With Me'. Interestingly, the self-directed video begins with a short clip of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The opening words are, "I can see them tearing at the night sky, they're slowly painting all our cities red, they pit you and I against each other, knowing that we both will end up dead". Hard-hitting! The video uses symbolic motifs like a masked man (played by Tuhin), a chess board and scenes depicting destruction. Produced by Paul Indian, the song falls in the pop-rock space, with some wonderful guitar parts. Overall, an excellent and timely piece. Noush!/ Snakes & Ladders Language & genre: English, Latino-pop/ dance Label:...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Friends often ask how I manage to attend shows every day. Obviously, I don't. What happens is that most events in Mumbai take place between Thursday and Sunday, and that's when a bit of binging happens. Not all the four days but on two or three, either if I have to cover them officially or if they seem exciting on their own. I still have four free evenings a week. Last weekend was filled with activities - so I managed four shows between Friday and Sunday. The good thing is that they spanned four diverse genres. Here are brief notes on all of them. Of course, attending them means I missed out on a few big ones. Friday, July 24: Khazana ghazal festival, day 1, The Trident, ghazals: This is the 25th year of the prestigious event, and as always drew a packed house. The special highlight was that Sonu Nigam would perform, though before the show, one wasn't certain what he would sing. Sonu nailed it, singing many of Pankaj Udhas' famous songs. After all, Pa...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Deepika Seth/ Ittefaq Language & genre: Hindi, love song  Label: Grapevine Records Rating: **** Deepika Seth's 'Ittefaq' is the first single from forthcoming album Qisse Kal Ke . It's about meeting someone, wanting to settle down and anticipating a strong relationship. It's a simple composition sung with feeling. The lyrics stand out, as Deepika sings, "Kya yeh ittefaq hai jo tum mile, lamhe azaad hai jo tum aa gaye ho". Later, she asks, "Talaash thi jis mohabbat ki, kya ye wohi ho raha hai?" Get the gist? The song has been co-written by Sagar Varma. Production is by Rohan Upadeo, with gentle strings by Protyay Chakraborty and guitars by Sambhav Pratap Singh providing the right ambience. Shraddha Pandit/ Kya Batayen Language & genre: Hindi, ghazal Label: Merchant Records Rating: *** 1/2 After starting off as a playback singer in the late 1990s, Shraddha Pandit has been recently focusing more on writing lyrics. However,...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Rolling Stones/ Foreign Tongues  Genre : Rock Label : Promotone/ Universal Rating : **** Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger will turn 83 next weekend. In the studio, his voice sounds like he's 43. On stage, he moves like a 23-year-old. As for guitarist Keith Richards, we stopped counting a few decades ago. The two stalwarts, along with regular guitarist Ronnie Wood, are at the helm of the band's 25th British and 27th American album Foreign Tongues . It's a typical Stones record, maintaining the class of its 2023 predecessor Hackney Diamonds and a string of older records. There's lots of rock n' roll, lots of blues, gallons on guitar licks, a couple of intense power ballads, a few twangy harmonica spells, tonnes of Jagger swagger.  One disclaimer, to begin with. The PR handouts talk of a long line of celebrity guests. Truth is that some make only fleeting appearances. Paul McCartney plays bass on one track, and Bruno Mars guests on cowbell on one...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar/ Ghana Garaje Genre; Hindustani vocal Details:  Experimental Theatre, July 11 Rating : **** -- Suhas Vyas/ Morning Ragas Genre: Hindustani vocal DetaIls : Ravindra Natya Mandir, July 12 Rating : *** 1/2 The weekend provided a double treat for followers of Hindustani classical vocal music. More than anything, they got to hear rare compositions, rather than the fare one often hears at such gatherings. On Saturday, July 11 evening, vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar excelled at the Ghana Garaje programme of monsoon melodies organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts at the Experimental Theatre. Then, in a new series initiated by Grace Foundation and curated by Pancham Nishad, Suhas Vyas presented a rare bouquet of morning ragas at the Ravindra Natya Mandir on Sunday, July 12. Ankalikar began with the popular Miyan Ki Malhar. While that didn't seem like an uncommon choice, what was impressive was it it lasted a good 70 mi...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Deep Purple / Splat ! Genre : Hard rock Label : EarMusic Rating : **** Thirty seconds into the first song, and for the nth time, you're amazed by the sheer power of Ian Paice's drumming. 'Arrogant Man' begins with him and guitarist Simon McBride, before vocalist Ian Gillan sings, "Well, Billy couldn't read or write, he never read a book in his life, he looked like shit, face didn't fit, he only ever went out at night". 'Arrogant Man' is the perfect opener to rock legends Deep Purple's 24th studio album ' Splat ! '. Like the rest of the 13-track record, it's loaded with energy, some dazzling solos, tight rhythms and crisp vocals. Keyboardist Don Airey and bassist Roger Glover complete the line-up, and for the sixth time, the renowned Bob Ezrin joins them as producer. To be sure, Splat ! may not contain anthems of the 'Smoke On The Water', 'Highway Star' and 'Black Night' calibre. Gilla...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Qaiser Nizami/ Hoor Language & genre: Urdu/ Kashmiri, folk-fusion  Label: Universal/ Coke Studio Bharat Rating: *** The latest Coke Studio Bharat release 'Hoor' draws from Afsana Goyi, the Kashmiri art of storytelling. Singers Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami tell the story of Sheikh and Hoor, with Qaiser Nizami joining towards the end. The song begins with a Kashmiri line, before getting into Urdu words penned by Qaiser and Syed Mehdi Razvi. It's a good start, with a strong hook, but somewhere one feels it begins to get mechanical. The thematic changes seem forced, but to compensate, there are some wonderful solos on guitar and sarangi. The Kashmiri lines at the end keep one hunming along. 'Hoor' has its moments, but tries to pack in too many things together. But that's a typical Coke Studio Bharat trait, isn't it? Sharayu Date/ Badra  Language & genre: Hindi, ballad Label: Self-released  Rating...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Parikrama/ Inside My Skin  Language & genre: English, hard rock Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 Delhi rock band Parikrama has completed 35 years on the scene. To mark the occasion, they had a show at Delhi's Piano Man and also released their new single 'Inside My Skin'. The song is very much in the hard rock mould, with vocalist Nitin Malik writing the lyrics. Guitarists Saurabh Chaudhury and Abhishek Mittal, keyboardist Subir Malik, bassist Gaurav Balani and drummer Srijan Mahajan contribute in good measure, with the middle guitar solo standing out. The song has lines like, "Crash into me, and make me blind, make me believe I close my eyes". It has that live gig energy for sure. Sharat Chandra Srivastava/ Bandhutva (album) Language & genre: Instrumental, fusion Label: Krintan Records Rating: *** 1/2 After playing violin with Parikrama, Sharat Chandra Srivastava has been associated with the band Mrigya besides solo projects. He now...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Raja Miya/ Udayswar@Prithvi Genre : Hindustani classical vocal Details : Prithvi Theatre, June 21 Rating : ***** ( PIc taken by blogger. (l to r) Shashi Vyas of Pancham Nishad, Mukundraj Deo, Raja Miya, his son Naved and Sudhir Nayak) Around 7.45 a.m., what could be as satisfying for a Hindustani classical aficionado as a nom-tom alaap sung in pure Agra gharana style? The fact that the venue didn't use microphones added to the aura, as senior vocalist Raja Miya began the morning raga Ramkali. Over the next 90 minutes, the magic was ceaseless. The Prithvi Theatre was packed for the June session of Udayswar, organised by Pancham Nishad. And the moment he concluded with a gem in Bhairavi, everyone rose in spontaneous and rhythmic applause. Ustad Ghulam Husnain Khan, popularly known as Raja Miya, may be described as an underrated genius. But as he proved on Sunday morning, every minute of his performance exuded perfection. The son of Ustad Anwar Hussain Khan, he hon...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Dr Joe and The Patience/ Live in Khandala  Genre : Jazz Musicians : Joe Alvares, Tea, Clement Rooney, Clifton Rodricks, Jarryd Rodrigues, Zidaan Details : Abbey 301, Khandala, June 13 Rating : **** On Saturday, June 13, Abbey 301 hosted its 10th show. Dr Joe and The Patience, led by veteran singer Joe Alvares, presented a set of jazz standards and retro tunes. The venue is actually a restored church in Khandala, and therefore heading there was a nice picnic, as Salsa Fortynine drove us down the distance. In the group were ace photographer Ashok Salian and journalist Steve Fernandes. It's a beautiful site in the hills, though the weather that day wasn't too different from a breezier Mumbai. The chapel, named after the area's postal code, has been held by the Kotak family since 1973. Its recent restoration was led by Kamini Kotak and architect Adil Dholakia of Five Cross Architects. Safala Shroff is the chairperson of the steering committee, with Pushan Kri...