I first heard this group on Star News, when their first album was released in 2000. Since then I’ve been trying to get hold of there albums. But all in vain, as none of there albums have been released in India. So I could only get to hear isolated song and inspired bollywood songs(remember ’Deewana tera haye’ from Aawara Paagal Deewana--inspired by ’Victory’). But finally some better sense prevailed.
The group comprises of female members Haylie(First Violin), Eos(Second Violin), Tania(viola) and Gay yee(Cello). There form of music is basically western classical instrumental. But they believe in experimenting with different sounds. Their music is usually upbeat. This is there fourth Album. The Album is a very healthy mix of fast paced and melodious tunes. Their music once again proves music is a language in itself. This album is a must buy for any music lover. Here’s what it is all about..
Allegretto
This is the first in the album and sounds like a welcome track. It is as though easing you for what is to come.
Shine
Balle Balle Sahava oye hoye....Punjabi. No its not a Daler mehndi number. The title track is beautiful work of fusion. Tabla’s & chorus gull with punjabi bhangra beats supports the lead piece very well. I love this kind of music, a healthy exchange between east & west. You could use this number in a bhangra disco.
Feugo
From Punjab to Brazil. Get ready to salsa. This is high-pitched high-speed song that gives you little time to catch breadth. The pace reaches a feverish pitch in the climax. Beware; if you listen to this song attentively, you might end up gasping for breadth yourself. A wonderfully upbeat, who needs anything else.
Strange Paradise
The best song of the album. The song is what you usually expect from these instruments. The songs goes on at a uniform leisurely pace and creates a heavenly ambience. This piece alone is worth every penny you spent on this album. I could listen to this song for hours at a stretch and that’s why thought it should have been a little longer. Yeah it is paradise and nothing strange about it.
Speed
True to its name the song starts with a car zooming bye. This song shows the ability of this quartet. The way they have used their music to convey the sense of movement & speed is truly worth praise.
Big Love Adagio
As the name suggests this is a love song. The violin finally comes to its home territory. Encompassing love and pain at the same movement. This song is of close your eyes variety. Just close your eyes and enjoy this beautiful piece of music. La Laa La Laa La laa La Laa Laa Laa La La La La;-)
Kashmir
Yup, you guessed it. This is an attempt to convey the unrest & the underlying pain in the valley. The song is a good effort but could have been better. A strong sense of Deja Vu creeps in and that is not a good sign when you are in the business of classical music of any kind. It would’ve been better if they would have also taken the beauty of the place as the underlying factor.
Gypsy Rhapsody
Get Up, get moving. The songs lives up to its name. A nice groovy number with good use of instruments and that 007 touch.
Libertango
It is difficult to classify this song. This is a literal Mish-mash. The haunting Enigma style vocals with ever varying pitch, the song is a all new experience.
Sahara
Its amazing the variety of experience you can produce with the music without necessitating voice as a component. This song is a very good example of that. You can hear as much or as little you want in this song.
Ride
Back on the dancing floor. This song sounds like a mixture of Allergetto and Strange Paradise. Not very impressive though.
Space
The final frontier. This song, I think, succeeds in creating the desired ambience and then complement it very well with the music. Though I don’t think it is excellent but certainly a nice effort.
Bond on Bond
One Bond’s salute to other. This is the groups take on the theme music of James Bond movies. One of my fellow Ms’ians informed me that one of the members has played violin in the bond movies. Anyway I think they have done a good job and manage to say goodbye on a high note.
Overall, the album impresses. The girls succeed in quenching your aural thirst but leave you wanting for more. So till the next time the name’s Bond, Just Bond