Roots revisited album exploring the rich history of Bangladeshi music - Bangladesh is not only a land of Rivers, it’s a land of song. Ancient songs, full of poetry and spiritual meaning, can be heard everywhere. From popular boat songs to the great works of the mystic poet Lalon Shai, these are living traditions that continue to inspire each new generation.
I wanted to present a ‘roots revisited’ album, filled with the sounds you hear across Bangladesh, but rarely on the international scene. With this in mind I approached Bangladesh’s top dhol maestro, and my personal friend, Nazrul Islam.
Nazrul has performed and recorded with virtually every major artist in the country. From popular Bengali folk to Baul, Bangla rock fusion to Bangla Afro Latin jazz – he’s done it all, and is a living legend. I asked him to put together a super group, to represent the traditional sounds of Bangladesh.
What he put together was a group of Dons – On flute Jalal Ahmed, and on dotara Mokaddes Ali – both musical heavyweights on the scene, zooming around on their motorbikes through bombs and hartals (political strikes) to get to our sessions. On Dupki and tablas is Bappi, forever smiling, and on Ektara, Biju, forever being mischievous. Directing proceedings from his dhol, the man himself, Nazrul.
To sing, he chose a trio who are the finest in their genres, as well as long time collaborators on numerous projects.
Baul Rob Fakir comes from Kushtia - birthplace of Lalon Shah. There’s a lot of talk about the Bauls, and how they follow the spiritual teachings of Lalon. Well Rob is the real deal. He has an incredible aura, befitting of a spiritual man, and a truly hypnotic quality to his singing, which can best be described as mesmerising.
Representing the next generation is Labik Kamal Gaurob – multi- instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, producer, arranger, and also survivor (after blowing himself up in his energy-efficient car – gas leak).
Completing the front line is the incredible Dewan Baby Akhtar – folk singer, violin player, incredible swing, consummate professional and also the wife of Nazrul - the real boss.
Joining me from London to help produce was Tansay Omar, who also brought along a portable studio which we set up to do informal overdubs. Recording the main sessions in his new studio “Echo Bass” in Dhaka was engineer and fellow pianist Saad Chowdhury. Together the three of us were taken through a master class of Bengali sounds – travelling in the company of legends.
Includes unlimited streaming of Soul of Bengal
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Night and day I try to
Perceive the illusion of your beauty But have not the worthiness to do so
The morning sun rises and sets The clock ticks away and so do I The day ends but I continue
To grope around
Searching in vain
I cannot embrace you
Nor am I aware of your beauty
How can I find you
In the midst of strangers
And amongst the thousand who surround you?
Now tired and in despair
I while away my time
In meaningless existence
Better to die than live this life of emptiness Says Lalon
credits
from Soul of Bengal,
released April 13, 2017
feat Baul Rob Fakir
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