Songs on a String

Sen,one of the founding members of Indian Ocean,who played an important role in creating the signature sound of the band,has now brought out a solo instrumental album,titled Depths of the Ocean (EMI). “I am grateful to my band for giving me the time to create this album. It’s something that I have been wanting to do for a decade,” says Sen,who has composed the album between numerous gigs,recordings and tours.

It was a chance meeting with his friend,dancer Sharmishtha Mukherjee — who wanted him to compose a track for her performance — that set Sen on course for the recording. “I had no money to record the music I had in my head. I agreed to give her one track,so that I could start the process,” says Sen,who recorded all the tracks in his recently refurbished studio in Lado Sarai.

The seven-track album opens with a tribute to Asheem Chakravarty,Indian Ocean’s vocalist and percussionist,who passed away last year from cardiac arrest. Layered with Chakravarty’s vocals,which were recorded almost four years back,the track in raag Bhairavi is a soft ballad incorporating elements of classic rock and jazz. This is followed by City Lights Feat,a track which is in collaboration with Shubha Mudgal. A haunting melody,the track is mostly all about Sen’s guitars and vocals,followed by interesting pieces on the flute. He has also collaborated with vocalist Papon on Wild Epiphany,to create a mix of Assamese folk with electric guitar. Another unique rendition,which is part of the album,is that of the national anthem. The 52-second original song by Rabindranath Tagore has been beautifully rendered on the guitar. “It is not an interpretation. It is a rendition,” clarifies Sen.