Guitar Hero

A little over a year ago,Kolkata-based guitarist Amyt Datta announced plans for a solo album,also featuring drummer Jivraj ‘Jiver’ Singh,titled Ambiance de Danse. Initially scheduled to be out in July last year,the release,however,didn’t happen. Now,one year on,Datta has finally released the seven-track record through his Bandcamp page with a pay-what-you-wish charge.

Primarily featuring the two musicians — who have played together in the seminal Kolkata bands Skinny Alley and Pinknoise — Ambiance de Danse is an interesting blend of sounds. Datta’s sublime guitar skills and Singh’s equally magical drumming are,on occasions,heard in their raw beauty,while at other times overlaid with electronics. Even with no apparent Indian instruments,some of the tracks on the album — such as the opener Ironic Bironic — sound like a fusion of western and Indian music.

The pace of the album varies from the upbeat album opener,to the slower Camellia and Dance Acoustica. But the star of the record is arguably the title track,beginning with spoken word in French by a sultry,seductive female voice. It then progresses into some exquisite guitar playing by Datta,showcasing his jazz influences,and backed for the most part by Singh’s drumming,proving,once again,the magic the two men are able to create together.