Ocean of Fusion. Review on Fusion Rock - Indian Ocean

I wonder sometimes, how strange is life , years pass by , generations flow by .. but music never dies. It stays on entertaining different generations, reminding the future generations about the past and encouraging the present generation to create new music .Music is a part of a human soul , I feel each individual has the capability to compose music, its just that the more talented ones get to display their talent and there are some who wither away without doing so.

Lets go a little into my retrospect, having exposed to Western music at an early age I not only listened to contemporary pop but was also introduced to Rock and Heavy metal. Then came the early 20’s in my life wherein I listened to alternatives and also earlier bands like Beatles and Country kings Simon and Garfunkel. That got me going and there was a time when I relished Opera .. I still do .. then … I started searching music that was in vogue before my parent’s birth. That introduced me to Mr Tchaikovsky , Mozart, Beethoven then Frank Sinatra etc. Now I look for Music that’s radically different , music that touches your soul … Fusion , Jazz ,World Music is what moves me in the late 20’s of my life. This clearly reflects in my recent reviews like Karunesh, Gregorians, Mitti and now Indian Ocean.

The Product title thankfully gives a general heading called Fusion Rock which means I can list any of Indian Ocean’s albums and the one I am reviewing is “ Kandisa ”. This Group was formed in the 90’s and the Fabulous four are Asheem, Amit, Rahul and Susmit. All are Rockers which means who were in Bands playing contemporary Rock. Their Music is still very much the Rock variety with a generous measure of Indian ness which makes it Fusion – Rock. The Guitar sound is omnipresent in their music. What impresses one is their ability to search out different Folk tunes and sometimes not restrict it to India .. you will find out why as you read.

Side A

Kya Maloom depicts the futility of war comparing it to Shiva’s Tandav. Starting with some High pitched singing of lyrics by Sanjeev Sharma Asheem and Rahul rock their way into this song as it sets the ball rolling. Ma Rewa is a traditional Hymn from Nimad in Madhya Pradesh , this song is about the Narmada river. The song sounds very devotional and gets you in a very somber and relaxing mood. Leaving home is one of the very good songs in the Album. This one has no Lyrics but the sheer music and the Chorus is enough to get you on your Feet. Susmit and Rahul’s Guitaring are awesome. The side ends with Hille Le which is some inspiring music coupled with bizarre Bihari Lyrics. After couple of hearings it gets to your system.

Side B

Khajuraho is a melee of music, different music just thrown in for good measure which culminates into hearing pleasure. Starting with sanskrit hyms it moves into Rock then jazz and finally into a nice blend of Fusion. Kaun is a Kashmiri song with Kashmiri Lyrics by Indira Kilam. Though the Lyrics do not appeal to you at first as you do not comprehend , as you appreciate the music and that oh so lovely Kashmiri touch given the Lyrics come to Life. Let us be one .. whats life with hatred among each other.

This Album is like an Ocean where you search for treasure … you keep searching and finding gems, Corals probably some gold from a Sunken ship but at the end is the ultimate pleasure the best gift for which you have entered the ocean. That’s the Pearl and the pearl in this album is Kandisa this song will just not leave your soul once it has touched it. A little history on the Lyrics … its an ancient Syrian Catholic Hymn in the language of Aramaic which was supposedly spoken by Jesus. The gentle recital followed by an even tempo to which the hymn speeds up is Fantastic.

One Striking point to notice is that though Aramaic is the ancient language of Hebrew it sounds so much like Sanskrit which gives you the feeling of a language you already know. How Funny is it … Languages have evolved from a Single uniform language that would have existed .. Religion is one but is comprehended by different people in different ways and Man creates Religion creates rules and creates war with these rules only to blame Religion for it HOW HYPOCRITIC !!!

This album is for the pure Fusion lovers and the kind who have an ear for Different music and would love to appreciate the beauty of it. Fusion and World Music is here to stay and the serenity and oneness of thought it provokes is incomparable to any stream of music. Marketed by Times Music this one is Priced at Rs 65.

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