First Kannada pop album by…guess who??

When titans collaborate, time stands still and gives one  enough scope to appreciate the  synergised work they come up with. It invariably turns out to be an ageless and timeless  piece of art that can count among those entities that remind us that we are so divinely human,so gratifyingly different from other species  and so capable of creating or experiencing celebration-worthy phenomena like music.

No wonder then that people love it when the best in  the field get together to produce something for everyone on the planet to enjoy and it is exactly this happening with this album which is nothing less than Sonu Nigam,Jayanth Kaikini and (u guessed it ! ) Mano Murthy complementing each other, recreating the magic which Kannada music followers have been treated to quite often in recent times, leaving them looking forward to more. This is the trio’s  first private venture aside from the films for which they have delivered splendid numbers.

Well,so have the expectations been met? Will this album be branded as a ‘chartbuster’ and a ‘bestseller’. Well, before time tells us this, let’s check out each song and get an idea for our selves.

‘Inni anisutide’ is the first track I hear. Isnt  it such a wonderfully framed phrase? Pretty much pun-intending in the context,  if u ask me. If u remember the hit song ‘Anisutide’ from Mungaru Male, then u for sure will know what I am talking about. And given that these folks are out to continue from that point in their journey which made them household names in Ktaka , it is but an apt  title for the song.

Coming to the song itself, it is a soothing,pleasant and melodious track. Mano seems to have descended on planet Earth straight from the planet Sangeet where the only elements are the 7  swaras and everything is a permutation or a combination of those 7 elements and nothing else! How else can one explain his musical genius? And where was he all these years? Will he give some entralling tunes to other languages too? Well, again we shall  leave the last qestion for time to answer and get back to the song in question.

It starts of with a  scintillating tune before Sonu starts crooning. A slow number which any music lover will eagerly sway to. The instruments are minimalist and endearing. Sonu stresses his tone at the right places and pulls off the vocals with elan. The song gets over but u feel like it is still playing in your ears. Innu anisutide…….:-)

Ok , next is ‘Naa Ninagaagi’. Another masterpiece. Beautiful and ear-catching. The tune has a tempo which gets ur feet into tapping mode. It is new and the kind u may find yourself humming now and then, once u hear it. A sure shot entry into ipods, walkmans n the like.  The smile in Sonu’s voice is conspicuous in the title line and leaves a trail in the rest of the song as well. Excellent expression and elegantly subtle harkathe in the rendition make it extremely likeable.

‘Neene Bari Neene’ is the next one. An artist gets real credit,merit and adulation from the stalwarts  and others alike , when he/she exhibits versatility and adaptability in the field  and Sonu has this claim to fame as far as his tyrst with Kannada music  is concerned. He sings this one  also with ease. While the tune is not as noteworthy as those of the first two songs, it definitely doesnt disappoint. Instruments have been well-orchestrated and provide the right mood of the song.

‘Baa Nodu Gelati’ is another sweet song. Very nice, down-to-nature (yeah ,can use ‘nature’ here instead of ‘earth’ ! )  lyrics that are embodied in simplicity and strike a chord for their pristine naturalism .  Sonu excels . He doesnt just sing; he hums , he beckons,he inspires, he celebrates and he appreciates while singing.  Personifying  so many verbs simultaneously deserves just one word – awesome ! The tune has a faint resemblance in its title line, to the superhit,much-loved and melodious  song  ‘Nee Amruthadhare’ which is also a Mano offering. The rest of the tune is fresh,catchy and lovely with a beat u would get hooked onto. All-in-all, a superb song.

Then comes ‘Beku Beku’. This one isnt much of a ear-catcher. The tune is mediocre if u compare it with what u ve heard till now. Sonu sounds very different and it adds variety to the collection. Female chorus chips in now and then to add to the  mood of the song. On the whole,an average one.

‘Eega Bandiruve’ is up next with a pace faster than all the earlier songs. Sonu’s voice takes on range and modulation with prowess and energy. Again, the tune isnt much of a newbie and not the kind u will sit up and notice. 5/10.

Get ready for some elements of rock music with the next one ‘Haaduntu namma naadali’ . It starts off in an exuberant way with the guitars full on generating enthu in the listeners. While the music keeps up the joule level, the rendition somehow seems subdued in between.  A good composition to get the intended message across.

‘Ideye Ninage Samaya’ is next and it is again a slow song.  A typical Mano tune which as a friend of mine says “makes u wanna relax listening to his music” . Beautifully taken up by Sonu’s vocal chords and delicately handled by the insturments. It is akin to a stream of water quietly  manoeuvring its way to the sea oblivious of everything else around. Sonu’s  voice modulation is worth mentioning here.

The last track is ‘Ninna Hindeye’ . The line ‘Ninagaagi kaayuvenu’ is the best-rendered line in the whole song which has been sung par excellence. The composition is simply amazing for its sheer melody. I guess its time we defined a new genre of music called ‘Mano Music’ !! Too good !

So that wraps up this album which is titled ‘Neene Bari Neene’ . And it may so happen that  fans ll be  left chanting in  praise of this trio ” You , we want  music only from you!! “  . Dont miss this one ,folks. Its definitely worth listening to when u want  music that will take u to one of the best continents on  Planet Sangeet  !!

Rating:

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