Think ocean and the first things that cross your mind are the gigantic never tiring waves. The raw energy of the ocean threatening to take you in its arms forever .The ultimate hypnotic effect which won’t let you realise you are hypnotised ! Music is not only about foot-taping numbers .Times when you feel one with nature , times when you search for yourself , times when you think about Karma about God , times when you think about life beyond life .If you need some help Indian Ocean is there for you. Music that will propel you at an extraordinary velocity into a different world .
Indian Ocean : Asheem Chakrovarty , Susmit Sen , Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam .
Band’s forth album comes after the hugely successful and critically acclaimed Kandisa. To avoid disappointment don’t look for a Ma rewa or kandisa number in this album . If Kandisa was more about earthy & free-flowing music , Jhini strives to give it a more sophisticated look. Songs are very much IO-trademark but sometimes you will feel like the soul is missing .If you have tasted kandisa you are sure to get those I-expected-more feelings !Nonetheless, it’s much better than the run-of-the-mill stuffs doing the rounds of the Indian music scene .
Jhini (8:31) 3.5/5: Who gave us the right to spoil the fine cloth of life gifted to us by the Almighty ? We take a bath and think we’hv come out clean !What about the bruises we have gifted to the pious soul ? Remember , this life is not our’’ , one day we will have to return it back to God when we depart. Leave this cloth unspoiled.
A poem by the 15th century saint-poet Kabir .The song has a nomadic touch to it , complete with trademark IO orchestration .Major part of the song is in chorus .
So chadar sur nar muni odhi
odhi ki maili kini chadariya
daas kabir jatan se odhi
jyoon ki tyoon dhar dini /
Let me speak (9:22) 2/5: Now let me speak ! let you speak for over 9 minutes on God knows what !I hate this in Indian bands , even if they are releasing an album after a hiatus of two years they simply fail to give 10 decent tracks .Serious-looking instrumental piece is no excuse !
This one’s a very mediocre track.To me it appeared as if this was an impromptu work .They should have shortened the track’s running time . A 9 plus minute track is sure to leave you high and dry esp if it’s not well played . Band has tried to save this track by using off-beat aalaps , guess it was too late !
Bhor (12:15) 5/5 : As the first ray of sun touches the earth , birds take those majestic flights.There are new heights to be conquered , dangers galore but who’s scared ? Today they will touch the sky and land back safely before the sun disappears.
The song is a winner all the way .Play it every morning and it is sure to keep you rejuvenated all day long .Excellent vocals, lilting music and amazing chorus .Check it out !
Katal bhi aisa hua ki panchi maar-ke maala-mal
katra-katra aasman hai boojhi asal udaan
Desh mera (4:58) 5/5 : We are weird & spiritual , we are gullible and we can put chanakya to shame any given day , our love is unquestioned and all we have is questions .If this leaves you perplexed , so be it ! We are like that only !
This song is evidently inspired by kandisa’s Hilele number. No similarity in music but the treatment is the same .Upbeat music & vocals , earthy lyrics . A mast-maula number . Enjoy !
Dhool gubaar mein jantar-mantar
bahar se bhola , gehra aandar
India, sir, ye cheez dhurandhar
Jeeb dalidaar, dil hai samander.
Torrent (6:34) 4/5 : Torrent – You are left with no time to react , overpower or get overpowered .Whoevr told you life was a smooth-sailing must be dead ! The overpowering emotion grips you like a torrent !
his instrumental track starts on a perfect note. Unlike the ‘Let me speak’ number this has some beautiful guitar & drum work .The humming vocals are a treat .
After the war (9:37) 3.5/5 : War doesn’t determine who’s right . War determines who’s Left.It takes one bullet and three seconds to end a life …the stat might be wrong but the death is for real .There are people who are willing to end their life & then there are those nameless , faceless souls who are reduced to mere numbers .After the war is over all the questions still remain unanswered !
If war is a confusing affair the same goes for this track ! Starts off like a typical rock-number , midway turns into a sufi/instrumental track and towards the end , yes you guessed it right .vedic chants (Its in fashion , isnt it ?).
Are you ready to die on any street tonite
because the way you see God is no longer a right
the killing mob are willing to yield
and as I see a thousands fires light
I scream into this dreadful night.
Nam myo ho (9:19) 5/5 : Gautama hears the call to his soul’s awakening , but how can he renounce the bonds of this world ? It’s hard to renounce the present for the unseen future .The song captures that moment in his journey to becoming Buddha , the enlightened one .
Once again the band at its best .Exquisite guitar work , exceptional vocals and chorus .The aalaps are simply outlandish !
Sakhi he , man har mora piya viraaje re
pranoon mein buske uus chhod pi bulaye
babul lage ki gaanth bhi khul na paave.