So the last few entries was about the music I was tripping to in 2009. Now a more personal post. This one is more about the things that we did in 2009. By "we" I mean, my band, The Grasshoppers, my family, my friends. We're all a huge bunch of musicians/artists/music lovers, who generally spend a majority of our times immersed in music.
In general, most of the people I'm very close to are creative people, so here's a little breakdown of some the things me and my family did in 2009.
My mom Dr Nashid Kamal, released an album different from her usual genre of Nazrul Geeti; a tribute to her aunt Ferdausi Rahman. The album consists of remakes of Ferdausi Rahman's classic film and modern songs.
Along with this album my great aunt's classical album was released jointly. I sadly missed the grand release they had, held by Laser Vision. But I heard it was beautiful; my grandfather was the chief guest and they had emotional speeches etc.
2009 was also the year my bro's (LABIK KAMAL GOURAB) album "Paar Koro" released from BMC.
I think Bhaiya is one of the few "world" artists in Bangladesh, who took the time out to actually get to know the actual traditional arrangement of Baul music and make an album out of it. Arranged by himself, this album Paar Koro was a collection of a variety of folk songs; Labik Kamal plays khamak, dotara and features various artists: Jalaal on flute, ALmas on violin, Nazrul on Dhol, Buno and Resalat on bass;etc. The entire album is fully Eastern Traditionally arranged except for the last track "Asha Jawa" a last minute collaboration with Arnob. I think it kind of symbolises, where Bhaiya started, at the basics, learning khamak and dotara, to where he is going now- anywhere and everywhere.
The launching was held at Bengal Gallery, and was an awesome launch.
There are 2 AWESOME music videos by Shampa Afroz Shumu, of which I'm in one as a background person hehe.. Check them out:
Paar Koro (Title): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW5Gn2MVVPg
Bhaiya also got his first show as a traditional folk singer at Bengal Gallery, a prestigious affair, followed by the songs of Kiran Chandra Rai. Here are some shots of the jampacked show that took place early 2009:
So 2009 was the year I graduated, and needed to decide what to do next. I had taken a small course in Shantiniketon and was enjoying this time away from life. I think it was over these times spent alone, I found out that I was only happy when I was involved in music somehow or the other (which was not completely possible in my University life in Nottingham.) I think I'm trying to make the transition to balance my obligations, my dreams, and my happiness right now. Anyway here are some random things I did in 2009.
A very old jam session with Rajib Bhai (Double R) in NY suddenly resulted in a song for Rajib Bhai's mixed album "Adho Megh" called "AhoBaane." I hadn't a clue about this release till the day off, but turned out pretty cool. The other songs on this album are pretty cool, I was thrilled to see Oni singing again, always enjoy her voice.
in 2009, i also had a blast making a new electronic project called ara, but details of that will come later on.
But 2009 was the year I moved back to dhaka after 5 years, and it felt great. Our live shows are a blast, the audience is amazing, and I feel alive to be performing regularly.
THE GRASSHOPPERS: ADIL, AMIT, BART, AASHNA
Here are some random shots of performing in 2009:
Our first gig at IC, with Guest Upol Islam on keyboards.
Christmas Gig at Floor 6 with Saif Q from Groovetrap :D
It's been a weird year 2009; I moved from my quiet home in Shantiniketon to the bustling Dhaka, started my life as professional musician, watched my life change from a bekaar student life to a busy struggling artist lol. But so far, so amazing...
Thanks to gf Bhai who's been actually reading this and pushing me to finish this: here I go again. I was super excited end 2009 because John Mayer's 4th studio album "Battle Studies" was set to release. We got a whiff of the album with the release of the single "Who Says" a brilliant accoustic-vibed song with (as always) the perfect lyrics.
There's yet to be a song of jm's I don't love so it's going to be mad hard to pick a few. The album is jm at his usual brilliance, I can't claim he's done something crazy or different but there he is; maturing smoothly with each album but somehow keeping a boyish charm to it. I love how he's induced blues into us: his audience; the whole album keeps bumping into bluesy vibes. I always get totallly consumed in jm's albums and this album is no different. Don't know how to justifiably describe these songs "Heartbreak Warfare"is a wonderful opening to the album, a love song essentially, very JM: "If you want more love, why don't you say so?" "All we ever do is say Goodbye"- is one of the songs in the album I always search for, the slow pain release grooves. It almost makes me want to be in a dysfunctional relationship to have such pains to write about.
2 things I didn't like of the album was: a) The cover b) Taylor Swift's voice suddenly appearing out of nowhere in "Half of my Heart"- think as you may, but I just didn't like it there, didn't go, in my opinion.
perfectly lonely, Crossroads, War of my life, Do you know me at all- all great songs, each different in their own ways, bluesy/country etc.
"Edge of Desire" a wonderfully more music based track, is another slow one (if you're reading the blog, you'll know i favour them more) with a wonderful guitar solo. I love the lyrics of the last track "Friends, lovers or nothing" when it stops midway and goes: Anything other than yes is no Anything other than stay is go Anything less than i love you is lying But the best best best track in this album is the incredibly intriguing, sexy and superbly written and composed " Assassin;" you have to listen to it to know, that it's almost like a story that reveals itself at the end. (I won't give it away, go and have a listen ;-P
A brilliant musical venture in 2009 was Pakistan's COKE STUDIO produced by Pakistani producer Rohail Hyatt, where they integrated various artists from various genres, to perform their own songs, and jam together both vocal and instrumental, I guess it was a more "planned" jam or composition.they've done a more than fantastic job here; a full setup house band with (i'm assuming) some of Pakistan's finest musicians steady throughout, and guest celebrity artists. I especially enjoy their backing vocalists, who chime in at the right places. There were 2 seasons, and since it was an experiment, the songs kept gettiing better, the fusion intensifying. Beautiful solos, jams, was a pleasant place for my ears. From the 2008 episodes my favourite is Balaman: a beautiful piece by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, although sadly interrupted by Ali Azmat. Hate to be blatantly honest about this, but it was a great occasion to hear RFAK jam Indian Classical, I wish it had been only him in the jam. ANyway, it's worth listening to for RFAK's beautiful work. The other jam they did of Garaj Baras was really good though. RFAK really added a new dimension to the song. RFAK also sings some of his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan;s famed songs in Coke Studio like Shama Paiya. Strings was also in the ensemble, they as always gave a solid performance. The entire beauty of the show is the jamming of the vocalists. 2009's season was Amazing: the vocalists sing a couple of their own tracks with the setup who interpret the songs in a new way, and then they integrate and jam off each other. Of the solo songs, my favourite was "Khamaj" and "Ankhon ke Saagar" by the lovely Shafquat Amanat Ali Khan. I did small little intricate things to my already favourite songs. He is really something else. A duo I discovered to my pleasure was the female dua "Zeb and Hania" a guitarist and vocalist with a fantastic sound. They have an album engineered by Mekaal Hasan, which I am yet to listen to, but they performed a track from that album called "Paimona" which was truly beautiful, the vocals lilting yet confident, and there was a wonderful dotara solo at the beginning. The duo also did a jam with Mekaal Hasan Band's Javed Bashir in a song called "Chor Diya"- this one really stood out- Wonderful song. I don't listen to Atif Aslam, so wouldn't know how his tracks were, but other than that, there's something beautiful going on with Coke Studio, anyone who loves Eastern Classical, or Fusion, or World Music should definitely check this out.
Every Rahman fan like me, was filled with pride at the International recognition in 2009 that Rahman received by getting the Oscars for Slumdog Millionare- He's really branched out to incorporate much more in his songs, which is a super treat. My favourite song was "O Saya" a crazy song i tripped on my daily subway rides during my time in NY. "Jai Ho" of course was fantastic, a real moral booster positive song.
A big favourite of 2009 was the album "U" written by Indraneel Chattpadhyay composed by Bappa Majumdar. It was a collection of poems, some recited by Joyonto Chattapadhyay and some turned into songs by Bappa Majumdar and Shawjeeb. I felt, that due to this being a special non-commercial project, all parties allowed themselves to be free with their creativity and I truly enjoyed Bappa Bhai's drifting more into classical'ish ventures; in not just one or 2 special tracks, but in all the songs. I loved Paper Porinam- both Bappa M and Shawjeeb's versions
I especially enjoyed Joyonto C's recitation, the way you can hear him smile in some words, his expressions are brilliant, and his voice has this comforting feeling.
The songs are placed in such a way, that each recitation leads into a new song.
Bappa M and Shawjeeb are really singing brilliantly, (which is no surprise)- and I think some of Bappa M's best compositions went into this album and production was fantastic.
Shawjeeb's "Korkot" is another song I recommend highly.
The overall sound was kept ambient, but I felt Bappa Bhai really tuned one of his top songs in the song Dishna Amay Jete.- the melody is just touching in the best ways.
My friend's Rousseau and Rupom's album "Joloj Khela" released this year FINALLY! Firstly I just want to mention, the duo's name "BIM" is the BEST name ever, I wish I'd thought of it- it stands for Brothers in Madness!
Anyway me and this album go way back, mainly because the album was made 4 years ago; and also because I was one of the few people who actually had it since it was made. So this is not really a 2009 review. It's been released by Fahim music, sadly as all debut albums go, limited promotion and attention is given to it, which is tragically how I believe good songs only remain in the ears of only interested parties.
BIM is not really of any specific genre, it's bouncing off the walls of many genres, and since it's essentially a progressive guitarist and an Eastern vocalist, there's really Madness in the album. Rupom has this awesome raw tone which he uses in a few songs that really generates the Real madness energy, topping it off with Rousseau crazy guitar playing. Another point I must mention, is the attention to good lyrics BIM.
The first track Aroho: is a real intro into the album; starts with a bang. The duo really made the most awesome teaser ever, and Aroho was the perfect track for it:
The most loved song of the album is the song "Nilimay"- a beautiful love song, one of those tracks everyone seems to fall for.
I am biased, i totally admit, I like all the songs. but I'll elaborate on a couple from the top of my head. "Rongomela" - has a tune that hits you, folkish- and the solos were super.
Kanai is a super cute song, sung by Rousseau not Rupom (who is the main vocalist)- it's a remake of a folk song, and has nice rnb'ish groove to it. Bangladesh music scene, at one point was very favourable towards that genre, and I think had it been released at the right time, it would have been a proper hit. This is one of my top favourites.
Rousseau sang another track called "Danamele" which to me is the most interesting one in the lot. It's a very musicians' song, if I may say so.
There is a tragedy in the album . Their title track "Joloj Khela" is a "gaye kata deya" song, and it was written by one of Rousseau's friends Shumit, who sadly passed away recently tragicly. I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely guy, we hung out a couple of times and even the little time we spent was impressionable for me, I always have tears in my eyes when I hear this song and remember him.
(thats shumit bhai in the mirror) The album is dedicated in his memory.
BIM has dared to venture out to remaking Nazrul Islam's songs, "Jogee" and "Megher Domru." Both in 2 directions; Jogee a darkish, running rock-based song; while Megher Domru is a sweet song that reminds you of rain and hinting sunlight. One of my favourite solos of the whole album is the beautiful acoustic solo in Megher Domru, showing Rousseau's softer side for a change.
Another song that reflects Rousseau's softer side is "Bhabchi Eka"- the song has an ambience of floating on clouds, which I loved.
The last track KHEPA BAUL is kind of the most energetic, "craziest" track, like real crazy- starts of with the "ok ok" that both brothers are known for. (inside joke)
Anyway, there some boo-boo's I will say. Didn't love the mixing in a few songs, and I think the brothers could have sung a couple of the tracks a lot better.
But the overall album gives off the vibe of versatile musicians, with a raw new generation Bangali-ness to them despite being US bashis : they are mad and lazy and crazy and they did something that is rare these days: that is: whatever they wanted.
From the Wake up Sid soundtrack I loved the song "Iktaara"- the vocals, composition everything was really lovely.
Another song I really enjoyed in 2009 was AM Fahim's "Mornings with a you" a beautiful instrumental track that throws to you exactly the emotion of the title.
2 of my favourite groups released their albums in 2009: Theivery corporation's "Radio Retaliation" and Zero 7's "Yeah Ghost" but I am yet to listen to them properly, but so far they are fabulous!
So yes, I was saving the best for last: Mekaal Hasan Band's long awaited record "Saptak." MHB has been releasing music videos over the last few years "Jhok Ranjan," "Andholan" and "Huns Dhunn" but this year the final album has launched.
Words can never do MHB justice, such precise planning, technical brilliance, yet soul stirring, intellectually stimulating and haunting music.
"Chal Bulleya" is one of the BEST produced songs I've ever heard in my life, with a SUPERB video to match. I think I've heard this song a billion times, thus giving little attention the rest at first.
It's super hard to pick favourites in such an album that reeks brilliance throughout, but the one that hit me hardest was "Huns Dhunn" based on Hamsadhwani raag with the most beautiful intro by Pappu on flute, flowing into the beauty of this incredible raag; really took my breathe away. Salute to MHB.
This is the MUSTEST buy of 2009. Go to itunes NOW.
Yes, I know it comes off as if I'm saying every song written about in this blog are brilliant, but that's precisely what the 2009 review was about, about the positive parts of Bangla and International music- and my 2009 playlist. Life is too short to elaborate on the negatives.
PS:I was listening to my 2009 playlist kind of like a goodbye while writing the final part of this blog post and I realised my favourite song of 2009 was "Rehna Tu" by AR Rahman :D (Huns Dhunn was from 2008)
Our first gig at IC, with Guest Upol Islam on keyboards.
