Fusion is the buzz word today and the blend of contemporary music with modern is slowly being accepted by all at large, especially the younger generation. As new talented and creative musicians try their hand at composing and creating new age music, can Chembur be left behind ? OM ? The Fusion Band released their music last week with a live jive at Planet M.
The group consists of Shriram Iyer (lead singer), Amit Trivedi (Keyboards), Bobo (Lead Guitar) and the two Chembur siblings Vishi and Ram (percussion).
Maula sways along well with some strained vocals, but has a gentle rhythm to it. Bobo swings it well with the guitar in this song.
Piya?s start strangely sounds familiar, the Harmony is riveting and this would be one of the better songs of the album.
Tum Tana is an experimental song with no specific lyrics but swaras which form part of the song. The chembur brothers Vishi and Ram display their percussion skills to good measure with Vishi joining in the vocal jugalbandi as well. The Clouds gather, lighting and thunder play in the sky, the rain pours in torrents and OM join in the fun as well ? Badal arrives in the album with a bang and this song proves why you must listen to OM.
Saxophone by S Manikandan (another chemburite) adds to the beauty. Vishi?s Mridangam is prominent in this one. Love is in the air and with it come the tenderness tweaking of your heart, Samjhaun Kaise Mere is a tender love song with Milind and Sandeep Kulkarni flaunting their flutes. Part of the song is sung in ?Baul? a north eastern dialect. Something unique about this song is that, the carefree ?Finger snapping? is used as a part of the base rhythm.
Son Chiraiya , Mohana and Man ke Darpan Mein are passable as they flow with the theme of the album. Now for the Verdict, the music is fresh and has strong carnatic, rock and lounge influences !!! The voice of Shriram Iyer holds you enthralled !!! The fare consists of gentle songs coupled with some percussion based tracks as well.
This one would require a couple of listenings and could form part of your evenings when you sit comfortably watching at the orange sun settling down, giving way to the darkness.
Marketed by Times Music and priced at an affordable Rs 195, this one must form a part of your Music rack if you are the kind who enjoys Folk-Fusion.