The year 2015 came both as sweet and savoury in terms of musical album releases. While popular rock bands entertained us with their freshly composed tunes, prominent musical maestros made their strokes with experimental and improvisational tracks. Cornerstone of Bangladeshi band scene, Miles, revived after a pause while some specific romantic numbers achieved popularity with repeated exposure through FM radio channels. Showtime sheds the spotlight on 10 albums released throughout the year that occupied the listeners’ mind for quite a while.
Kokhon Kibhabe Ekhane Ke Jane:
Popular rock band Indalo presented audience with its debut album Kokhon Kibhabe Ekhane Ke Jane in September. The album also got an online release under ME Label’s online distribution rights. The album features 13 original tracks: “Saké,” “Olik,” “Tomar Shokal,” “Deyalghori,” “Obosheshe,” “Plastic,” “Pounopunik,” “Pathorer Arale Phool,” “Antonogor,” “Canvas,” “ISD,” “Oshfut” and “Ke Shunbe.” The album was recorded and mixed at Acoustic Artz, and mastered from the UK by Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering Studio.
Proticchobi:
After a hiatus of five years, popular rock band Miles got back with their album titled Proticchobi, five songs from which was launched in July in association with leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone. A total of eight songs were recorded for the album. Five of them were released online in 2011 while the three new entries are “Rockstar,” “E To Noy Gaan,” and, “Ochena Jibon.” The old five numbers are “Priyotoma Megh,” “Chaina,” “Janiye dao,” “Esho Naa,” and “Oshanto Mon.” The songs are written by Shafin Ahmed, Latiful Islam Shibli, Shafiq Tuhin, topu and Tarun Munshi while composed by Manam Ahmed, Shafin Ahmed, Hamin Ahmed and Jewel.
Ja Bolo Tai Bolo:
Sahana Bajpaie’s second album Ja Bolo Tai Bolo hit the market on September 10 in Dhaka. Ever since the release of her first album, some eight years ago, the talented Rabindrasangeet singer had kept her fans waiting all this while. Under the Major 7th music label, the album includes 12 tracks some of which are “Sokatore Oi,” “Maharaj Eki Saje,” “Aami Kaan Pete Roi,” “Tomay Gaan Shonabo,” and “Tomra Ja Bolo Tai Bolo.” Three of these songs were recorded live in London and were arranged by London-based musicians Idris Rahman, Zoe Rahman and Oliver Weeks. The artist dedicated the album to her three-year-old daughter, Rohini. Sahana revealed that the title of her latest album is extracted from her most favourite Tagore songs, and its lyrics reflect on her life as a whole.
Hit Factory:
Fans of pop, hip-hop, funky and electro music got a treat with Fuad’s Hit Factory released in March this year. The music director-producer and singer brought in a mix of fresh and experienced singers who performed solo. Upol Islam, Mouri, Nazia, Shuvo, Sumi from band Lalon, Artist TJ, Anila and Arefin Rumey are some of the singers featured in the album. Fuad sang two songs in this album, one, “Aktai Amar Tumi” which became popular on FM radio stations, while “Shunduri Furi,” another highlight of the album, was dedicated to his wife. There are around 13 songs in the album which have a very eclectic theme. Under the label of Incursion music, the album is available both in compact disc and digital formats.
Khub Doob:
In the album, versatile singer-musician Arnob focused on experimental songs, mostly with his vocals. An “improvisational piece” in Arnob’s words, the album includes a Tagore number, “Esho Shyamolo Sundaro.” Other tracks include “Chader Shidi,” “Khub Doob,” “Tokhon Jonak Dake,” “Policer Chhire Tupi,” and “Obhijan.” Apart from the singer himself, Tokon Thakur, Rajib Ashraf and Sahana Bajpaie, to name a few, have penned lyrics for the album. The album came out on the occasion of Pohela Boishakh this year.
Bendhechi Amar Pran:
Musical sensation Bappa Mazumder released the first complete Rabindra sangeet album in his career on the occasion of Bangla New Year this year. Mazumder’s 11th solo Bendhechi Amar Pran included song titles “Amaro Parano Jaha Chay,” “Aami Chini Go Chini,” “Tumi Kon Kanoner Phool,” “Bhalobese Sokhi,” “Emano Dine Tare Bola Jay,” “Ami Tomar Songe Bendhechi Amar Pran,” “Purano Sei Diner Kotha” and “Mone Ki Dwidha.” The singer himself has composed music for all the songs. The album, presented by Brac Bank Limited and marketed by Girona Bangladesh, is available at outlets of Deshal and at rokomari.com
Ahare:
Emerging musical star Minar brought in his third album Ahare on Pohela Boishakh this year. Popular label G-series released the album. The title track of the album “Ahare Ahare Kothay Pabo Tahare” became one of the most played songs on FM radio stations and music channels for weeks. The album consists of eight songs, all composed by Minar. Six of the songs are written by the singer himself while the rest are written by Anik Khan and Shafayet Mansur Rana.
Neel Jhinuker Kham:
Fahmida Nabi and Rupankar Bagchi, the popular artists from Bangladesh and India respectively, gave voice in the duet music album which contains eight romantic songs. Laser Vision brought the album to market on the Valentines’ Day. Tuned by Ruparkar and composed by Indrajit Dey, Zulfiqar Russel has written all the lyrics for the album.
Cholo Ontoheen:
Cholo Ontoheen, written and planned by Asif Iqbal, came as a treat to music lovers this year. Adit featured renowned singers such as Samina Chowdhury, Elita Karim, Shoeb, and Mahadi in 12 songs. The tracks of the album include “Chole Jeo Naa,” (sung by Elita and Adit in two different versions) “Ghum Hoiye Aaj” by Elita and Shoeb, “Esho Aaj Tumi” by Samina Chowdhury, “Fire Esho” by Adit, “Projapoti” by Mahadi, “Chokh Mele Dekho” by Adit, “Chole Jeona” by Elita and Mahadi and “Kotodin Dekhini Tomay” by Elita. The album came under the label Gaanchill Music.
Dreek:
Hard rock band Dreek enthralled music lovers with the release of their first album in April this year. Hamin Ahmed, the president of BAMBA and the guitarist of Miles unveiled the album that comprises a total of nine tracks. Three of these, “Tarunner Michile,” “Notun Alo” and “Golok Dhadhaye,” were released on Radio Foorti last year. The songs of the album can be downloaded free of cost from www.dreek.co while themallbd.com is the title sponsor of the album.
