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Breathing Under Water - a great collaboration

She's created an identity for herself that extends beyond the shadow of her illustrious father. He is known for his own brand of electronica and is a leading name on the world music stage. Breathing Under Water brings together the very talented Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale in a unique collaboration.

  With a total of 13 tracks, this album is a true reflection of Shankar's talents that go well beyond only Indian classical music. After Rise which earned her a Grammy nomination, this collection will only bring her more recognition as a composer to reckon with. Listeners who are familiar with Kale's work won't be in for a surprise with this album as he continues to create sounds in his unparalleled, unique style.

  Several huge names are featured on this album ranging from the maestro himself, Ravi Shankar to his daughter (and Anoushka's sister) Norah Jones. Sting, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan are among the other guest artists on this album. Various genres and styles like jazz, electronica, pop are fused together to form a new age Indian sound. What makes this album stand out is its modern presentation and global appeal. Even with some lyrics in English, the overall impact is unmistakably Indian and the highlight is that the new sound is effortless and soulful.

  Burn, Easy and Ghost story were my favourite tracks on this album that offers a catalytic mix of classical and modern. LISTEN UP to Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale.

Unforgettable Hollywood signature tunes

  My earliest memory of a classic cowboy movie is from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. For the longest time, the star cast or storyline seemed inconsequential as I only recognised the movie by its signature tune that played every time a gunfight was around the corner. Created by legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone, this tune has gone down in history for its association with a good ol' spaghetti Western. Have a listen below as the orchestra led by Morricone recreates this unforgettable tune...

  Another instantly recognisable tune is that from the Bond series. While the actor playing Bond has been changed several times over, the Bond tune has remained the same over decades, barring some modernisation. The tune was first composed by John Barry for the film From Russia with Love and has made reappearances in several Bond movies that followed.

  How could I possibly leave out the Indiana Jones theme tune in a list of classics? John Williams is credited with composing this tune and it made its appearance in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Williams is a multi award-winning composer who is also responsible for memorable soundtracks such as those from ET, Star Wars and more recently, Harry Potter. Needless to say, this theme is now part of popular film culture.

  Quentin Tarantino is responsible for several blockbuster films and his soundtracks have also become a part of popular culture. Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill series all had tracks that added to Tarantino's visual imagery. Bang Bang from Kill bill (originally by Nancy Sinatra) and Jungle Boogie from Pulp Fiction are the more famous tunes from his films. Apart from the songs per se, this track seems stuck in my head as being part of Pulp Fiction.

  Closer to recent times, the main theme from Mission Impossible was the most downloaded ring tone showing mass appeal. The single from Limp Bizkit was a hit worldwide and being part of a movie blockbuster only added to its popularity. This super spy flick raked in the box office and the theme only added to its uber cool effect. Of course, having Tom Cruise in the film has its own added benefits!

Great soundtracks and terrible films...

  Have you ever noticed how sometimes a film that has a great soundtrack turns out to be one long nightmarish experience? There are so many instances I can think of where I've heard a superb soundtrack and hoped for a good movie and have been thoroughly disappointed. It's a syndrome that has affected many films all through the years and no stars have been spared. But it seems more obvious in recent years where a tremendous emphasis is placed on great music, with great visuals and nifty packaging. So you can definitely pique curiousity by selling a mind-blowing soundtrack and get people into a theatre to have an initial look. But after that, if the movie can't deliver then it's just doomsday for the producers and investors.

This Diwali was pegged as the battle between two big films: Saanwariya and Om Shanti Om. The former has a wonderful soundtrack in keeping with Bhansali's legacy as an avante-garde artist. But the movie lacked in several areas. Listening to the soundtrack, almost everyone expected another treat on their hands. Expectations were raised because of the reputation of the director as well as the soulfulness of the music.

The same applied to Om Shanti Om. The music was peppy, catchy (although I wouldn't call it my favourite soundtrack) and had a definite Farah Khan feel to it but again the movie was disappointing if you expected a cinematic thrill. A lesser known film Jab We Met has a really good soundtrack that is currently playing over and over on my iPod and the film was good in parts. This one is a is good example of how music can escalate a film from being completely non-descript. So whether it's the biggest blockbuster or a relatively unknown one, having a good soundtrack can really make a difference but can't really salvage a film on the whole. Audio sales profits? Well, that's a whole other story...

An ode to "her"

  There have been a few songs that have left a lasting impression on my mind. Sung by female singers whose voices are as different as they come, here's a selection of some songs that are slightly off the beaten track...

Ankhon main raho - Soumya Rao: A relatively unknown name, this talented singer sang this beautiful song in Company under the guidance of music director Sandeep Chowta. A second generation musician, Soumya has sung in a range of South Indian languages and has also been more actively heard in Bollywood of late. Her other credits include singing Nach Baliye from Bunty aur Babli, etc.

Sajna - Shibani Kashyap: She burst onto the scene with the very catchy Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat that featured a very hunky model (who later made his film debut but that's a whole other story!) and her in the scenic backwater locale of Kerala. Since then, she has had several hits to her credits including the title track from Zinda. She's known for her improvisations and her distinctive voice. Sajna was one of her more popular tracks from Waisa bhi hota hai - part 2 (incidentally, there was never a part 1!!)

Aye Khuda Hafiz/Anjaani - Sunitha Sarathy: A regular in South Indian cinema, Sunitha made a splash with her vocals in Yuva, directed by none other than the Guru himself, A R Rahman. Her fresh voice coupled with Kareena's vibrance made this song a much requested one. She displayed a fantastic range with an interlude of jazz in the track apart from her uninhibited vocals.

Yeh kaisi chap - Rekha Vishal: Wife to music and film director, Vishal Bharadwaj, Rekha Bharadwaj is a talented singer who has worked on several films. I first heard in Jahan Tum le Chalo where she sang to legendary lyricist Gulzar, set to the music of Vishal Bharadwaj. Since then, she has worked with Gulzar on several occasions including Sufi-ghazal albums showcasing her melodic and soulful voice. She was also unheard on Omkara and Maqbool.

Zara Zara - Bombay Jayashree: A celebrated singer, she found fans all around the world with this romantic, seductive number from Rehna Hai Tere Dil Main. She is a renowned classical singer and has performed at various venues around the globe.

News Flash!

  It's no easy achievement when you break into the mainstream Indian music industry. But independent music director Vikas Kohli, known as the man behind FatLabs Studio, deserves kudos for doing just that. He decided to follow his heart and quit an investment job in downtown Toronto about five years ago. There's been no looking back since then.

  Working on Mika Singh's fifth album, produced by music company T-Series, Kohli's moment in the spotlight is here. What started out with one song at Kohli's FatLabs studio in Mississauga turned into into a collaboration for an entire album! Singh actually extended his stay to three weeks to wrap by the whole album.

Says Kohli, "“Working with Mika has been an incredible experience and it’s been a dream come true to not only break into India’s music scene, but to work with Bollywood’s music masters. It was great to bring my musical vision together with a pool of Canadian and international talent to create a fresh new sound for both Mika and Bollywood music lovers alike.” 

  And the admiration seems to be mutual as Singh shared, "What I really liked about Vikas’ work is that he has produced with hip-hop, R&B and rock artists in North America. I wanted something unconventional for my new album, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

  About the album, Kohli and Singh have incorporated various elements of pop, dance, bhangra and featured artists from Canada and the United States. The first single called Whiskey/ Party Special is set to traditional dhol, reggae and a reverberating club beat. The song also features Canadian R & B singer Priya and Jamaican artist Deva Bratt. One can only hope this is a stepping stone for greater things in Bollywood.

On an "Autorickshaw" ride

So The Journey Goes is an offering from Canada's highly acclaimed band Autorickshaw. This funky ensemble has a following all around the world and it's no wonder when you sample their eclectic fare. Their music can be best described as a hybrid of jazz and funk with classical and popular Indian music. But don't even for a minute think it's the typical "fusion" genre that mishmashes a bit of everything and leaves you devoid of any identity. The final outcome is something that brings together various elements of Eastern and Western music together and fuses it effortlessly.

  Contemporary, inspired and passionate are words that come to mind after hearing the album. Aaj ki raat is shows off vocalist Sankaran's range of vocals at its best. Then there's Leonard Cohen's Bird on a wire that has been reinvented in their unique style. Other tracks on this album too provide an interesting perspective on Indo-Canadian music as it stands today.

The band consists of Suba Sankaran, Ed Hanley, Rich Brown and their newest member Patrick Graham. Each of these talented artists offers something unique towards the sound of the band. Suba Sankaran is a second-generation musician who learnt South Indian classical music as well as Western classical music as a child. She graduated in jazz from York University followed by a Masters degree in ethnomusicology. Ed Hanley has been a devoted student on Indian percussion for over a decade having learnt various instruments as well as percussion amongst other elements. Bassist Rich Brown is a stylish musician who has been playing with international artists like Steve Coleman amongst others. Percussionist Patrick Graham stands in place of previous band member Debashis Sinha. His background involves training in Western classical music apart from other global sounds and styles such as Japanese music, etc.

  When you consider the sheer diversity in experience and influences, it is truly commendable how all the sounds and styles merge together to provide one amazing sound. LISTEN UP to Autorickshaw!

It's KK!

  One of my favourite voices in the Bollywood music industry is Krishnan Kuman Menon or KK as he is popularly known. (Don't confuse him with the actor Kay Kay Menon.) He burst onto the scene over a decade ago and started by singing jingles to accompany television and radio advertisements. He sang Chod aaye hum for Maachis, followed by Tadap tadap from Hum dil de chuke sanam which put him in the spotlight as far as the hindi film industry was concerned.

  Since then he has sung innumerable songs in his distinctive voice. Be it soft ballads like Pal (hear it by clicking the link below) from his solo album that received rave reviews or the fun-filled It's the time to disco from KANK. But this blog is dedicated specially to his live shows. If you've been lucky enough to catch a glimpse, then you'll know what I'm talking about. He is a true rocker in every sense. I've heard him live a couple of times and his performances are simply energetic and exuberant. There are no fancy gimmicks but his rock-solid voice pierces through every crowd and venue.

  Being someone who listened to rock and pop while he grew up, he can belt out a rock number without any hesitation and he'll have you on your feet in no time. He does a mean Bryan Adams cover, as well as Mr. Big. Apart from this, he sings in a host of South Indian languages and has made a name for himself by virtue of his sheer talent.

He has several awards to his credit but still maintains a low profile. A soft-spoken guy in person but an outstanding performer on stage. LISTEN UP to KK.

We will rock you...

  If the words Scaramouche, Bohemian Rhapsody, Galileo don't seem like random words to you then more likely than not, you've heard of Queen. Everyone knows the immortal lines from the Queen song 'We will rock you." What everyone doesn't know about is the musical by the same name that is currently playing in downtown Toronto at the Canon Theatre. If you're a fan of the iconic band, this is the show for you. And if you're not, then don't be shy because you will enjoy the music nevertheless.

   Bringing together all the classics from Queen, this live performance is all about the music. The first thing I noticed about the actors and musicians was that every single one of them looked like they thoroughly enjoyed themselves belting one Queen classic after another. From the main leads to the supporting cast to the amazing lot of musicians, this show is an out and out entertainer - you have funny moments, you have drama, you have your cliches and you have truly innovative moments. The storyline is based on a world where rock is dead and how the main leads set out to bring back the music. Interspersed through it all are different songs from Queen. The outstanding vocals of the performers in this show make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience (special mention has to be made of Yvan Pedneault who plays Galileo, Erica Peck who plays Scaramouche and Alana Bridgewater as Killer Queen). And you won't be wrong if you feel like you're part of a real live rock concert. 

  For many who don't know about the history of Queen, it's a surprise to find out that lead singer Freddie Mercury (actual name Farukh Balsara) was part Indian who in fact lived in India during the early years of his life. Apart from his histronics, his powerful vocals gave rock a new identity and the group churned out hit after hit. Guitarist Brian May is a living legend who is often considered one of the best guitarists on the planet. Apart from these two creative genuises, Roger Taylor and John Deacon made Queen a legendary band whose albums continue to sell at a phenomenal rate all around the world.

  While I can't even imagine what it must have been like to hear Freddie Mercury and Brian May live, watching the play was a great reminder of how music can truly take any performance to another level. After a point, you ignore the flaws in the script and appreciate the music for what it is. Having to recreate the songs and music to Queen's tracks couldn't have been an easy task but it definitely is a fantastic effort and a definite must-listen to - for those who are returning fans of Queen and to newbies who want to listen to some great, good old fashioned rock. LISTEN UP to We Will Rock You!

Busting some moves...

  There are some artists who are known for their signature moves when it comes to music videos. The idea came to me while I was listening to some vintage Michael Jackson. I'm not sure how or why but sometimes the visual imagery of a video pops into your head the minute you hear a particular song. This applies to both desi and mainstream popular music. This post is dedicated to all those songs/videos that have left an impression (in random order)... And it's open to additions, so do send in your suggestions!

The moonwalk by Michael Jackson: You can't blame me for putting this one first considering I just mentioned the "King of Pop." That rhinestone glove, the medal-laden jacket and the moonwalk - those are the first things that pop into my visual memory when I think Jackson. Sure he had cutting-edge videos and was a pioneer in many ways when it came to using music videos to promote or value add to his music, but his dance moves have granted him legendary status.

Hip-shaking with Shakira: You couldn't possibly have missed this Colombian's nifty moves unless you were on a vacation to Mars for the better part of the last five years. She burst onto the world stage with Whenever, Wherever that showcased her signature belly dancing moves. Since then there's been no looking back who has hit big time success with Hips don't lie becoming an international club favourite.

Bootylicious Beyonce: Her signature moves had hordes begging for more and she even got Oprah to join her live on national TV! Starting with Destiny's Child, Ms. Knowles has moved to bigger things with her solo career and chart-topping tracks. Her collaboration with Jay-Z for Crazy in love, showcased her shaking her derriere in her inimitable style.

Walk like an Egyptian by the Bangles: Take a trip down memory lane as you envision Eighties girl band, The Bangles, making everyone do this signature move. The whole video featured people busting out some moves with hands stuck to either side, palms pointing out doing their version of an Egyptian move! Whether or not the Egyptians did dance like that is questionable but as far as popular music goes, The Bangles will remain etched in memory.

K3G: Like it or not, the infamous 'screw in the lightbulb and pat the dog' move has takers all over the world - race no bar! Thanks to Karan Johar and his ace choreographer Farah Khan, this step is a popular move to anything upbeat and Bollywood! It first surfaced in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and has made regular appearances in various other celluloid sagas.

Dil Chahta hai: I collapsed with laughter the first time I saw Saif Ali Khan and Sonali Kulkarni in the spoof on 70s movies in Dil Chahta hai. The song? "Woh ladki hai kahan." The Farhan Akhtar movie featured the signature flapping of wings move that made it both hilarious and typically Bollywood at one shot!

There are so many more moves that I can think of but the whole point of this post was to emphasise what an important role choreography plays in the visualisation of a song. There are some songs notorious for bad choreography and there are times where the creativity and energy leaves you speechless. LISTEN UP to great music and great videos.