 One’s just experienced Kailasa, and one’s inclined to agree with diminutive singer Kailash Kher when he says he’s chosen that name for both, his debut album and the band he’s formed, because it means Swarg, or Heaven. Forget about the play on his own name there could have been no better name for the place Kher’s debut album takes you to on your very first listen.
Some albums grow on you, but only a very few have the power at the first listen to lunge for your solar. And Kailasa, without doubt, belongs to the latter category, and definitely the best non-film album released so far this year. By far and a great, long distance.
Soul Beauty and Power one wonders how one voice, and that too a rasping one, can be such a beautiful blend of perfection. Kher answers that on each and every track of this brilliant album.
 But before we get into individual tracks, get this: Kher is also an extremely competent lyricist, having written as many as 5 of the 8 songs on this album. With musician-singer-composers Paresh and Naresh completing the troika on Kailasa, the new band definitely seems equipped for long and popular career.
OK, the songs now.
Teri Deewani: The centrespiece of the album and hence the opening track, Teri Deewani is a powerful and gripping track. When it opens with Kher’s plaintive, soulful outpouring of love, you feel it’s going to be a traditionally arranged composition, but what unfolds is an acoustic rock-anthem-like song, with strings, piano and acoustic guitars riding a loosely meandering drum beat. Simple, earthy lyrics, brilliantly written by Kher himself, with a catchy composition. Super lyrics by Kher.
Tauba Tauba: Peppy and foot-tapping with a very mountainous north-eastern-frontiers pushto-Arabic kind of feel, Tauba Tauba is the kind of track that will definitely rise up the charts of world music, given good air- and club play. Acoustic guitars and strings carry this very danceable number forward, with the electric box guitar and Kher’s multi-track vocals adding immensely to the enjoyment. Again, written by Kher himself. The remix isn’t too different, thankfully, except for a faster bpm and a heavy base pedal kicking the song powerfully forward. The remix will definitely hit the discs and clubs big time.
Dilruba: My favorite song from the album, Dilruba is a perfect example of the simple mathematics of how great voice, melody, composition and lyrics always equal soul. This excellent song grabs you from the first choral vocal refrain of ni-sa-sa-sa and when Kher’s voice sings Main To Tere Pyar Mein Deewana Ho Gaya, it takes you along in stuporous abandon. Ferozebhai’s brilliant harmonium, the backing vocals that hold the song together, and Kher’s singing and the lyrics – this is really Kailasa. Heaven, that is.
Jana Jogi De Naal: The moment Kher opens with Kaaga Sab Tan Khaiyo Mera Chun Chun Khaiyo Maas, Do Naina Mat Khaana Mohe Piya Milan Ki Aas, you’re gripped by the plaintive mix of strong Sufiyana soul with Punjabi folk. This one’s about complete submission to the all powerful urge to follow the yearnings of one’s soul. Jaana Jogi De Naal rides a bed of simple bass and folksy percussion and will have you swaying, again in stuporous rapture. Ashwin Srinivasan’s flute stands out, symbolizing the loneliness of one’s quest. The entire singing and treatment of the track does full justice to the elemental lyrics, which are taken from Kabir and Bulle Shah.
Kaise Main Kahoon: A young girl’s in love for the first time, and is caught up in a storm of elation and confusion! Elated because she’s in love, and confused coz she just doesn’t know how to express herself, how to yel
|
- 
