 This one is a unique compilation. That's because artists from variety of fields, be it mainstream films, classical music or true blue lounge, have come together to come up with a compilation of a lounge score that has been aptly titled MAYA'S LOUNGE. With stalwarts like A.R.Rahman, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Rahul Sharma, Sandeep Chowta and many more featuring in this compilation of tracks that were created in last half a decade or so, MAYA'S LOUNGE is truly a 'world of illusion' as is the album's tagline.
It is the best possible start that one could have expected from MAYA'S LOUNGE. 'Mahamaya - The Illusion' was heard last in Rahul Sharma's 'Maya' that made waves when released last year. It is included in the compilation here and this is definitely one tune on which you certainly want a Hindi film song to be composed. And if that actually turns out to be a possibility then why not hear it for a Yash Chopra film? Why? Because none could explore and present this romantic tune better than the king of romance Yash Chopra himself.
A beautiful track with a lovely melody and rhythm to boast, what remains in the end is the sound of santoor that never fails to mesmerize. In fact the sound that comes towards the middle of the musical piece followed by the vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan wants only situation to compliment it - a Yash Raj heroine draped in white dancing in the rain! Now that's what romance is all about!!
Next to come is 'Farewell Trance' from KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA that has made quite a splash ever since one had heard it last year. Conducted by DJ Shane, the theme piece took the title song of KANK to a different level altogether by making it an ideal fusion of Indian melody and Western rhythm. In the meanwhile the sound of flute only added on to the lounge feel hence making 'Farewell Trance' a remarkable feat that sounds excellent till date. Add to it a husky female voice in the background and you get into a truly 'enigmatic' mode!
Flute comes into the scene yet again in Naveen's 'Fluid' and what follows from hereon is a 'jungle' tune with the power of wilderness looming large! There are drum beats and the works accompanying the electronic generated sound of the flute hence resulting in a passionate-n-exciting outing.
Bikram Ghosh's 'Zinc' from his album 'Rythmscape' arrives next and the beginning is so subtle and soft that it is almost inaudible for more than a minute. It is only a little later that a guitar comes into picture which shows the beautiful side of the track. There is almost a jazz feel created that continues to pick up pace with every 10 seconds, hence making for a unique experience. One can sense classical influence and that only becomes clearer as the track gets ready to enter into third minute, what with Indian instruments coming into play. More than just being lounge, 'Zinc' turns out to be true work of fusion.
After a couple of average tracks 'Fluid' and 'Zinc' comes Sandeep Chowta's 'Siga - Lounge Mix' which is the first ever track in the album to be truly Western in feel. Best of all the tracks heard so far and moving in a smooth sailing fashion, 'Siga' belongs to the kind of tracks that are played on an evening of seduction. There are no major ups and downs in the track; in fact arrangements are pretty consistent throughout, but what stands out is the free wheeling manner in which the music piece flows that makes it a very pleasant hear.
Later an even better piece of music is heard when Chowta returns with 'Too Many Yesterdays' [Mitti]. Now that's the hallmark of a musician who certainly knows a thing or two about world music and understands how to present it to a wide range of audience. Haunting, mesmerizing
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