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 It is 7:32pm on a Thursday night in late December in this land that everyone else around the world thinks is a frozen tundra, and there is not a sign of snow. I’m sitting at one of the regular coffee shop hangouts that I retreat to when I need to get something done that I’ve been putting off... This review is one of those things.
I have to admit that I knew nothing about Niraj Chag until about four months ago. My first exposure to his work was in Birmingham at Shaanti [a club-night -ed] (think Desi Mainstreamers meet Desi Undergrounders and have mutant kids with polarized music tastes). My good friend, Abdul Smooth, was the opening DJ for the night, and dropped a massive Sarangi-laced Hip Hop beat called “The Snake”. The piece was so simple and yet so epic; there was just something different about it this track that Niraj has offered up on his website as a free download for joining his mailing list. Fast forward nearly four months later, here in Toronto, I’ve needed some time to think about Niraj’s debut album, “Along the Dusty Road”, which I shall herein refer to as “ATDR” in true Bollywood movie acronym style (i.e. K3G, DDLJ, etc).
To be brutally honest, when I first bought the album on iTunes and listened to it on the drive home, I didn’t think much of it. Where were the epic Hip Hop beats, the ass-shaking, Punjabi flavored rhythms, or intense Tabla meets Technology juxtapositions? I will admit, I was near bored the first time I listened to the album. A couple days later, when I wasn’t stuck in traffic, or trying to meet a deadline, or preoccupied with life’s other trivialities (i.e. just living), I gave the album another spin. This time, in my trusty little iPod (damn you Steve Jobs). A few minutes in, and I realized there was absolutely nothing wrong with Niraj’s album. It was me that was in another mind-space during the first listen, fully expecting to hear a sonic onslaught like that of “The Snake”, or other non-mainstream Asian electronic artists. Niraj Chag had done something very 'different' here in focusing on slower tempos, intricate melodic arrangements, and sweet story telling that sounded more like it came out of some quaint Swiss ski-village than from the streets of East London.
 Electronica no-doubt plays a great role in this album... it is not the star... most of the tracks don't feel “electronic” in nature. By now, I have listened to the entire album more times than I can count - in my iPod, in my car, on the walk to work, while having dinner with my fiancé. This in my eyes is the true test for good music; the ability of the producer to create music that fits many contexts; the kind of music that you would listen to any opportunity you get. Sure you won’t likely be hearing any of the “ATDR” tunes in a club (at least not in their existing form), but who cares. Even the most proficient of club-rats might only spend 30 hours a week clubbing, leaving another 138 hours a week to recover from hangovers, get groceries, do laundry, eat dinner, work, pretend to work, etc. This album is one of the albums for all those non-club activities.
Enough on the context, the million dollar question is “what do I think about the tracks? (I’m assuming you do care what I think if you’ve already read this far).
Let me start first by saying that there are no bad tracks on the album. Every single piece is worth a listen.
1. Along The Dusty Road
“Along The Dusty Road” is the opening and title track on the album, and though I consider it more of a sound scape than a true “song”, it does a great job of setting the tone for the next hour of music. The beats are big and pour slow like molasses, the message of the diverse power and infinite of beauty of the feminine power comes across in the female spoken word, and the male vocals support the grandiose soundscape well.
2. Khwaab
By now, you’ve likely heard or read the BBC Radio 1 quote by Nihal who described “Khwaab” as being “One of the most sensuous, soulful and beautiful tracks (he’s) heard since joining Radio 1”. I won’t disagree. “Khwaab” is a sweet track with a catchy melody, clean arrangement and beautiful lead vocal. “Khwaab” is a refreshing change from the intensity of the Asian influenced dance and electronic music.
3. Sajana
“Sajana” is another slow, ballad-like piece that brings together a beautiful Indian folk vocal with weaving acoustic guitar, and climaxes with a choir of children. This is the kind of piece that you have to listen to at least a few times to appreciate Niraj’s attention to detail. What seemed like a boring track to me only days earlier, has me immersed in story.
4. Tanaha Dil
Another slow piece, with a very cold, “wintery” feel to it. I appreciate the fact that this is one of two examples of tracks on “ATDR” that diverges from the industry-standard 4/4 time signature, and flows nicely in a ¾ time that gives the piece a unique character. While well arranged, this is not one of my favorites on the CD, and most of the time, I just skip over it.
5. Bangles
Surprise surprise, here’s another ballad. This time, a mature female Punjabi vocal and a bansuri (bamboo flute) bridge represent the East against a slow RnB beat and Acoustic Guitar from the West. The piece has a nice, sweet aesthetic, however it does not evolve nearly as much through the course of the track as do some others on the CD. Personally, I think once you’ve heard the first minute or so, you’ve heard the whole track.
6. Kanya
Thankfully, Niraj decided to part ways with the ballad by this fifth track on the album. “Kanya” is not a song. This piece embodies the sonic manifestation one would take if one was to travel on the top of a rickety train through valleys and deserts in India during sunset. At least that’s the image in my head. The only vocals are variations of a female vocal doing Tabla “bols” (syllables) to the beat, against what sounds like a giant Irish Bodhran (frame drum). “Kanya” sits somewhere between light Indian Classical music, and Celtic folk music. I like it when we all get along.
7. Intermission – Allah Hoo (Part Two)
The sole purpose of this short track is to set a new tone and a new atmosphere for the faster and more intense tracks to come in the second half of the album. The track accomplishes this nicely, though I would’ve preferred to hear something other than the left over beats from what I consider the best track on the album, “Allah Hoo”.
8. Ghar
Excuse my language, but this track f#&8@^!G rocks. This track hooks you in right from the first note of the guitar. This track is well placed on the album as it sets a new pace for without being too abrupt. This is one of the finer examples of an electronica piece in the rare but refreshing ¾ time signature which works well into the Dadra taal (6 beat) of Hindustani music. The male vocals carry a beautiful and memorable melody, while the tasteful use of electronic synths and bass lines compliments the organic feel of the piece. More over, the beat box that carries the beat throughout seamlessly ties together the East-West, Organic-Electronic feel of the piece. It is hard for me not to jump to this track every time I pop in the CD.
9. The Nomad
“The Nomad” is another interesting beat, infused with Hip Hop, floating female harmonies, Tabla bols, and Classical Alaaps. Nothing life-altering here, but a great piece nonetheless.
10. An Offering
This track is “Hakka” in my eyes. Hakka referring to Chinese migrants to India, many of whom settled in and around Calcutta and seamlessly blended into Indian culture. Much like the “Indo-Chinese” food that the Chinese immigrants established, “An Offering” fuses an unmistakable East-Asian feel with Bengali vocals. The piece is probably the slowest on the album, and I’m guessing its placement here on the album was deliberate, as it only amplifies the ass-kicking you are about to receive from the next track…..
11. Allah Hoo
“Allah Hoo” is brilliant. I was a little biased earlier towards “Ghar”, but this is now definitely my favorite track on the Album. Reminiscent of the epic emotions stirred up by “The Snake”, “Allah Hoo” delivers 5 minutes and 21 seconds of pure Qawaali bliss. Everything about this track is just so right. From the slow build up of the Qawaali vocals, to the cold tone of the Tablas, to the sythethic arpeggios running in the background. In my mind, the highlight of this track runs between 2:36 and 3:20, when Niraj slowly introduces an old-skool beat reminiscent of the Naughty By Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray”. From here on the track keeps forging ahead until relentlessly, sealing the deal for me on this album.
12. Khwaab (Bengali)
The Hindi version of “Khwaab” was already good enough. Niraj just had to go ahead and put it to shame with this Bengali version. Now please note, I don’t understand Bengali, though I grasp the song having heard the Hindi version. The thing about this version is that the vocal arrangement, harmonies and presence is even sweeter than the original. Personally, I love this version of “Khwaab” even more.
13. Outtro (The Beginning)
Another interlude that seems to be placed for function. The beat and arrangement is that of the opening track “Along The Dusty Road” which definitely helps bring the listener full circle. Again, though I can’t complain about the track itself, I would have preferred to hear what else Niraj has up his sleeve here, so that I might be that much more curious to hear his next album or project.
Along The Dusty Road (“ATDR”), is a fantastic album. At points, my review may have seemed overly critical or nit-picky, but that’s only because I’ve listened to the album so many times and have to write something to give you a more insightful opinion. With some tracks like “Ghar” and “Allah Hoo” being just so damn brilliant, I guess I might be a little bitter that Niraj didn’t offer up more like these. While four months ago, I knew nothing of Niraj Chag, I will be sure to watch out for him in the future. He is a man doing entirely his own thing among Asian producers and composers. With a focus on melody and arrangement that is soulful and comforting, he’s filled what I didn’t even know was a void in the Asian music landscape.
Buy the CD, or download the album (legally). You’ll thank yourself for it.
INFO: www.nirajchag.com / www.myspace.com/nirajchag
Reviewer's Top Picks:
1.Along The Dusty Road
2.Khwaab *
3.Sajana
4.Tanaha Dil
5.Bangles
6.Kanya *
7.Intermission – Allah Hoo (Part Two)
8.Ghar **
9.The Nomad
10.An Offering
11.Allah Hoo ***
12.Khwaab (Bengali) **
13.Outtro (The Beginning)
- Reviewed by Anuj Rastogi, aka. Omnesia (http://www.omnesia.com)
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