MUMBAI: Kefaya, the international collective of musicians founded in 2011 and led by guitarist Giuliano Modarelli and pianist Al MacSween, will launch their first album ‘Radio International’ in summer, as revealed by Giuliano Modarelli. The music outfit is currently on its ‘Electro World Guerrilla Jazz’ India tour.
Since its inception, Kefaya has been exploring world folk traditions through improvisation, electronics and contemporary influences, and is now ready with its highly anticipated debut album. Modarelli said, “The album is a compilation of some of the best collaborations we have done since we got together.” He further added that the concept behind calling the album ‘Radio International’ was for it to be presented as an album which represents music from all over the world. “And in the album, we have also used radio samples to add to the authenticity of world radio,” he added.
Although the album is ready for release, Kefaya has still not finalised the record label. “There are many record labels interested to release ‘Radio International’, but we are still making up our minds to pick one,” said Modarelli. However, the European record label through which they wish to release the album will distribute the album in India. “We want to release the album here in India,” added Modarelli.
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In addition to Modarelli and MacSweej, Kefaya also includes British musicians: bassist Kenny Higgins, drummer Joost Hendrickx, violinist Olivia Moore, saxophone and clarinet player Oliver Dover, violinist Matt Holborn, guitarist Glenn Sharp and reed player Richard Ormrod. Also part of the collective are bassist Domenico Angarano from Italy, vocalist Alessia Tondo from Italy, Indian vocalist Deborshee Bhattacharjee, ‘Complete’, the vocal quartet from South Africa, Spanish vocalist Chico Pere and Irish percussionist Cormac Byrne.
Modarelli and MacSween have been attending school in Kolkata to learn more about Indian classical music. Over the past few years, Kefaya has collaborated with Shankar Mahadevan, Bickram Ghosh, Purbayan Chaterjee, Niladri Kumar, Shankar Tucker, Paban Das Baul, Sharmila Tagore, Pete Lockett and Talvin Singh.
Kefaya is set to perform at blueFROG Mumbai and Pune, and also at the SulaFest Nashik as well at the Kolkata Book fair and Nariyal Paani at Alibaug later this month.
