Artist: Adil & Vasundhara
Album: Ampersand
Label: Independent (Recorded at Yash Raj Studios)
Release Date: April 12, 2013
Songs: 10
Noteworthy: Pinocchio Times and Parenthesis
There is something most alluring about a good jazz song. You sway, you stop, you take a sip of whatever drink is near you and savour it. Bringing an urban twist to jazz are Adil and Vasundhara. A culmination of what can only be called a hybrid, this album is pleasure to the jazz lover and intriguing to the not. Featuring on the much loved, The Dewarists, this duo is gaining popularity fast with their revival of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Soul and Jazz Fusion.
Egos walk hand-in-hand in early hours of the morning, urban goes soul searching and philosophy meets its alias: nuance in Ampersand. Adil & Vasundhara, who are truly international musicians, with their compositions drawing influence from corners of the globe, have created interesting sounds that make the ear perk-up.
The album sets a certain urban tone, each song growing from the last. Walking Hours has a lovely use of instruments. The key beats in the background compliment Vasundhara’s voice well. And as for Vasundhara, her voice really is undeniable. It is lilting and distinct. It has power, something not common among jazz voices.
Other noticeable tunes were One Winged Goose and Creek Funk. Both are very funky. They take the urban idea, giving it a slightly younger touch. These two tunes can see a person get up and want to dance. With or without a partner. But my favourite tune would have to be Parenthesis. The song is just plain sexy and yes the fact that it is sung in French definitely helps. A magnitude of people came together to make this album perfect. From Louiz Banks to Loy Mendonsa, Shantanu Hudlikar and Abhishek Khandelwal at YRF Studios and Sankarshan Kini and Sandeep Chowta joining in, this album has every guidance to brilliance and manages to live up to expectation. As for why thy the album is called Ampersand, well Ampersand is the name of the symbol ‘&’ and what can be better in signifying the massive togetherness that is this album.
