That one evergreen tune

So often we may have played a particular music tune because we were feeling a certain mood. For some a tough week could result in a room smashing track or calming song.
But we all have that one tune which can be played at anytime, in any mood and it brings us back to a certain equilibrium.

Firmament

I’ve long since been a fan of Nitin Sawhney, back from the days I first walked into a music shop in London called Selectadisc (I was 18 back then). Wowed by the music collection, a friend of mine introduced me to a genre of music called Asian Underground. The shop owner played some tracks and I was instantly in awe.

Purchasing a few CDs of this new genre I couldn’t wait to get home to listen at my own leisure. Nitin has produced many albums over the years and performed in hundreds of venues across world, a real music genius.
But of all his tunes, the one I love the most is a short piece which I listen to wherever I am, whatever I am doing.
My most memorable moment? I left home 5am one morning to go cycling. The sky was dark as I started peddling the long silent road. Then the rain started coming down, it was warm drops making noises against my helmet. I stopped over, plugged in my headphones and played Nitin Sawhney’s Firmament. As I rode on with this delicate tune playing in my ears, I was not sure whether it was the rain or tears running down my cheeks, an old cord had been struck…..

Firmament by Nitin Sawhney
Album – London Undersound

Is there a particular tune you consider your evergreen?

Music Week, Day 4 – Ek Jaan (One Soul)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

I heard this track at the BBC Electric Proms 2009, sung by Reena Bhardwaj

In every direction, let this be the philosophy. One heart, one colour, one soul. There are no boundaries here. The earth is open, open is the sky.

Music Week, Day 3 – Hope (feat. Natasha Atlas)

>Day 1< | >Day 2<

I strongly recommend that you use headphones to listen to this track and have it up the loudest; you will feel intoxicated by her voice and the beats of the tabla.

It’s in Arabic but to this day I haven’t found the translation

Music Week, Day 2 – Nadia (River)

Yesterday’s track (Day 1) can be heard here.

I was hooked on this track from the very first time I heard it.  Another Nitin Sawhney compilation.

Translation from some kind person on YouTube

Nadiya bair bhai

(Even the Rivers have turned hostile)

Mora saiyyan bulave

(My lover beckons me)

Sune nahi

(But you wouldn’t listen)

Music Week, Day 1 – Koyal (Songbird)

It’s Monday 19th December and Christmas is this coming weekend, if you still didn’t know, the festive music blasting its way at every street corner should be a cold enough reminder.

I looked out of the window and although the sky was grey and the cold bitter, the blackness of the trees was striking and it propped up some nice images.  It also reminded of a song I listened to a while back so I thought, lets work towards the festive weekend with some calming music.  Why? Because for most of us, this weekend will be hustle and bustle, handling hot trays of vegetables and meat, ducking and diving out of each other’s way in the kitchen, then snoozing afterwards.

I am going to (try and) upload a track once a day this week, from a favourite artist of mine, Nitin Sawhney.  I started listening to his music when my love for Asian Underground music started evolving.  Hoping you enjoy some of the tracks this week.  Some of the tracks will not feature subtitles, so I will try to translate.

I found the translation for this track on YouTube, see below.

Why the cuckoo sings in the Autumn season and why the rainy season darkens the sky when I meet my beloved. Why the weather changes why colour is fully sprinkled during black nights. Yes, after meeting with you my every limb trembles. Look, my dear, my body and soul is dancing. The bracelet on foot tinkles and produces a song. There is a link with you in this song. Why weather changes in this season.