Saptak Mekaal Hasan Band EMI Rs 195; RATING: **** Heres some snazzy music from across the border. Pakistani jazz/rock/fusion group Mekaal Hasan Band have yet again etched their flamboyant mix of eastern classical ragas and modern western progressions in their second record Saptak. With Saptak,the trio Mekaal on guitars,Mohammed Ashan Papu on flute and vocalist Javed Bashir along with a bunch of skilled musicians effectively carry forward the energy of their impressive debut album Sampooran. The desi sound and Hasans Berklee-trained sense of western genres power the bands set of songs ranging from jazzy chords to melodious classical eruptions,from doses of Sufi poems to pure western progressions. Some stunning tracks showcase Bashirs tremendous grip on classical vocal gymnastics that are uniquely blended with spacey flute renditions,thoroughbred guitar solos,rich percussions and a slap-happy bass. The most crucial track floating in the classical realm,backed by surreal psychedelic music,is Albella which has Bashirs superlative vocals and Pete Locketts resounding drums. Huns dhun bears a close resemblance to the Carnatic maestro Muthuswami Dikshitars Vathapi Ganapathim in Hamsadhwani raga. Moving on to the opener,Chal Bulleya sets the tone and energy thats sustained through the album,while the following track,Bandeya,is made up of vintage western elements with a wonderful guitar solo. Andholan wakes up to impressive bass lines and guitar synths,while rock/jazz elements are bled into tracks like Bhageshwari and Mahi that dart from slap bass to odd-time signatures on the guitars and the drums. The bands energy and music can set any stage on fire. mohan.kumar@expressindia.com
