Colonial Hangover

The music was fun,natural and appealed to the Hindi-speaking market. Lewis has given us a lot of interesting pop music since then — be it his collaboration with Hariharan for Colonial Cousins ,compositions for KK and Alisha Chinai,the ’90s remix movement or his recent effort to bring back the “M” in MTV’s Coke Studio India.

We know his music but don’t know his voice. “I was always busy making stars out of other people and telling them how to do certain things. I never did my own thing,” says Lewis,who has now released his first solo album Tanha Sa Hoon (Universal,Rs 295).

The album,says Lewis,is his brand of pop,but with a twist. “I would call this a new phase of my life,where the audience will finally get to hear my voice,” says Lewis,adding that he is going back to the roots with this one and bringing back his sound.

The six-track album opens with the title track,which gives a glimpse into the old-style melodic pop that comes with a new groove and Lewis’ signature edginess. This is followed by O jaana — a track which comes with a classic vintage feel and a simple beat that takes over in the latter half of the song. Then there is Aaja tu aaja,a Bossanova track that has been waiting in the wings since 1986. “I made this song with some interesting bass and synth sounds,but the audience was not ready for this kind of music back then. So I have brought it out now,” says Lewis.

For another song,Tere Bina’s R&B melody,he has roped in his daughter Divya for backing vocals. After that,Lewis shifts gear to give out a mix of thumri and English lyrics,with Saanwariya.

Lewis is also working on getting together with Hariharan after a decade for a Colonial Cousins album — a track from which was released last month at the IPL opening ceremony. Besides,he has a Bollywood venture lined up for release later this year.