Shaa'ir + Func - New Day : The Love Album

Artist : Shaa'ir + Func
Album : New Day - The Love Album
Reviewed by : Mr. Rastafarian

Very Recently (one week ago to be exact) I received this package from an online music store called MusicYogi. I shall not reveal the contents of the package, but the only thing I'll reveal is that I got a cd called "New Day - The Love Album" in it's white packing case. This album is by new electronica/pop musicians "Shaa'ir + Func", who aren't so new after all.




The duo comprises of Monica Dogra a.k.a Shaa'ir (urdu for poet) and Randolph Correia who goes by his alias Func (he also plays for Pentagram and is also a producer). They recently released their first album "New Day - The Love Album" at Zenzi's in Mumbai and when I heard the album, I was gripped immediately. I described this album as an electro/pop album, but it has hints of Funk, in HIT, R&B in Oops and some jazz and blues here and there.

The album starts of with the 9PM side. The 9PM side represents the fact that the songs on this side are good to be played after 9PM. They are the remixed songs. More like songs that could be good played in clubs. "It's Probably That" starts the album which builds up to move slow and comfortably. It then moves onto "Broken" which has this R&B feel and then "HIT" which has this funky vibe. Next comes "Government" which can be said to be a song about the Indian government in this age (really :P). The lines -

"The government doesn't know me, the government doesn't care about me, and I'm happy"

seem to talk about the government situation in India right now. It's moves really smoothly and has to be my favorite on the album. After that come "Juxtapose", "Swirl" and "It's Probably This". The first single off the album comes after this called "Oops". A true pop track that has a kinda happy-cheery feel to it. Has to be my second favorite off the album.

The 9AM side comes next, which has the original songs from the album. They are all slow moving, which are seem to be good to be played in the day time. They include the original versions of Hit, Government, Swirl, Another Secret, Broken, Juxtapose, etc. They are named with a period (.) at the end of their song name to distinguish them from the remixed versions. The original versions of the songs are slower and have a relaxing feel toward them.

This album feels like a Pentagram album in some places minus the Vishal vocals. Maybe it's because of the fact that Randolph has used a similar style in both bands, but I am not complaining. Pentagram is also one of my favorite bands. All in all, a very good buy, I would say. Monica's crooning soul/blues style of vocals and Randolph's electronics and guitars make this a brilliant album. This album is also a proof of how Indian musicians are coming of age and how that music and albums are not restricted to just one genre in India. A breathe of fresh air compared to the gay pop and soundtracks of movies that are coming out which stick to one formula only with the same vocals and tablas and dholaks.

The format of this album is very good, and I bet you'll be hooked instantly. A brilliant release.

Tracklisting -

1. It's Probably That
2. Broken
3. HIT
4. Government
5. Juxtapose
6. Swirl
7. It's Probably This
8. Moonlight
9. New Day
10. Oops
11. Secret
12. Swirl.
13. HIT.
14. Government.
15. Broken.
16. Another Secret
17. Juxtapose.
18. New Day.
19. Parles and Chai

http://www.musicyogi.com/asp/idpndDetails.asp?albId=ALB6124 - order album
http://www.myspace.com/shaairandfunc - MySpace for sampling
http://www.shaairandfunc.com/ - Their webpage
http://www.last.fm/music/Shaa%2527ir%2B%252B%2BFunc - Them @ last.fm

photography: Courtesy of Akshayraj Uchil and Shaa'ir + Func.