Record Label: Saregama Records
Saregama India has released The Underground Bombay Series- The Best of what’s next, a platform for upcoming musicians and local homegrown deejays.
The artistes vary from new age to electronic world music to Sufiana and the tracks are effectively selected.
The album opens to a contemporary fusion work “Mandra Masitha” played by DJ Gaurav Issac and the nice Sufiana voice of Richa Sharma evokes a modern mixed feeling. For those who would like to hear Indian-Punjabi-Sufi like improvisations in a very different fashion, can get a delicate lounge taste with the exotic beats and tunes of this song.
“Son’eya” is ironically served by Hamza Faruqui, bringing alive the youthfulness in the song. This act with its plaintive disco beats, stirring piano motifs and delicate guitar, all beautifully at play, weaves a delicious combination of sounds. The Arabic notes blend along well with the Hindi vocals which will give you a sense of choral voice floating on pop beats. A nice cut for this young singer, considering that this is his first major singing haul.
“Power to the People” is one of the great electronica elements of this album and my personal pick. Sidhartha Sharma and Suhas Shetty have combined various music forms in a captivating style, starting right with a Marathi Lavni groove, moving into a trip-hip-hop mode and than into a progressive version. Everything passes through their psychedelica trip through different devastating beats, Indipop influences, ragga vocals and hyper efficient melodies. Boy Snow Mountain are a very creative experimental form of musicians who expend energy with this single cut.
Bliss Logic develops an intensely contemporary take on fusion here with its relaxing progressive bass guitar strings. Nothing new in the track “MSV”, as it scores on the basis of its guitar and vocals streamlined with background piano notes. A much sought-after song for anyone interested in basically quiet lyrics.
2 Non Drivers manage to make a mark with this progressive breaks track. The duo take a more urban direction with “Rusty Tiger” by distilling its electronic music beats with rock and psychedelic funk influences. The best moments come when they are combining big beats and electronic sounds with funky dance rock blend. Psy freaks will enjoy the nerve racking breaks in it.
Good vibes pour from the track “Broken” as it kicks in. A powerful high energy vocal infused tune that works uncannily. The elaborate and shimmering vocals sound a cross-cultural element, through her sparkling Cosmo style.
One must not forget the beats bring back to you a Electronica-Funk feeling which in turn lifts you into the nightclub mode. Shaa’ir + Func certainly create an aura of mystery and this looks to bring fun in the night.
Func has been the guitar player for the rock band Pentagram and his transformation to electronic music scene has been thoroughly refreshing without the usual distorted guitar melodies we are used to listening to.
This single “More U Func” is a synth-based instrumental music form with some ambient computer backed vocals. An interesting form of music but not sure about the genre it would perfectly knit into.
The next track “Are Logon” is a Sufiana Kalam and seems a lot consistent with the melody and percussion played along, Parwati is dynamite when she builds up her pitch. She gradually builds up pace and reaches her intense pitch at the end of the song.
“Underground Frequencies” is a volume pumping number, set with high definition bass and beats. The track is full of bouncing beats and complemented with fluttering rave stabs. This upbeat dance electronica plays like the soundtrack to a good club trip and it’s clear there’s more to DJ Nasha than just good beats.
The last track of the album, “Pehchaan Kaun” is a dance track with a heavy tangible grunge rock influence to it. Right at the beginning of the track you sense the heavy guitar sound mixing with the deep beats but the tempo sets up a familiar tone with quirky techno sounds and crackling delicate beats. This dance floor-oriented song explodes as a reminder of some old MOS (Ministry Of Sound) chillout classic session track. A well-crafted pop electronica from the early days of electronic.
This album means almost all results are of electronica music, with some dance techno numbers with the use of modern production techniques, and with mostly turntable mixes of well-mixed western grooves with elements of Indian music to it. The CD is recommended for those who like Indian moods with a scintillating crossover of world fusion touch.
