Artiste: Sawan Dev Shrestha
Album: Midnight (Pop/rock) Rating: **1/2
Shrestha's Midnight has great guitar solos. The music arrangement, lyrics and vocals could do with some improvement. The well played, distinct parts of the album are: piano in Bhanthyo timi, slide guitar in country-styled Yo mausam ko, funk arrangement in Rojen rojen, guitar pattern and organ in blues flavoured Blue jeans and sound effects; riff and solo in Mero Nepal. Sawan has a great style for music but his vocals don't seem to suit the music arrangement here.
Artiste: The Shadows
Album: Hidne Manchhe Ladcha (Rock) Rating: ****
This album is very different from mainstream Nepali music. With many guitar riffs, aggressive vocals, and uniquely original lyrics, it has no love song. The title track Hidne manchhe ladchha begins with Swapnil's voice recorded when a child followed by beautiful guitar plucking and great vocals. Dharma, a 6/8 rhythm-based song has wonderful lyrics. The band has worked really well together. Immensely talented, this is one band to watch out for.
Artiste: Lil B and (Rakesh Shrestha) Pshyco Mastah
Album: Mad Zone (Hip hop/rap) Rating: ***
This album is a part of the emerging Nepali rap/hip-hop scenario. The song Keti timi feat Pramod 'Nirwan' is already a hit. Timi nai ho feat Sugam Pokhrel has a catchy melody. Mero jiwan, a metal rap has good guitar works. Talai k matlab is well synchronised and Madzone's Anthem is very energetic. The accented Nepali may not appeal to many listeners. For the long run, Mad Zone still has space for improvement.
Note: These albums have been reviewed on the basis of their respective genres.
Jackpot promotion CDs from Samjhana Audio Video
Hey moree: Axix shot to fame with their song Adhuro prem. This song is their latest offering. Read bandwagon (pg 19) for more about the band.
Samaya: Samaya is the title track of Rashik Aryal's first pop album. Rashik, 22, listens to G'nR, U2 and Bon Jovi.
Hidne manchhe ladchha: Title trackfrom The Shadows' second album, this song is a chartbuster. Their first album Suna hamro aawaz was released two years ago.
Manako dailo: Sutra is Sugam Pokharel's third album. This song is already a hit. He shot to fame a few years back with Pheri tyo din.
Bhetiyera chhutnu: Karna Das shot to fame with Jindagi ko ke bharosa while in Madhyanna in 1997. Aadha sapana is his third solo album.
Jhumi jhumi: In true Deepak Bajracharya style, this song is arranged in Latino beats. It is a very peppy number.
Din bityo: Saroj Dutta's popularity rocketed with the number Juni Juni Maa from his first album Dus. His second album Aath establishes him in the industry.
Dekhdina tara: This is a slow rock/ alternative number written by Ranjeev Shrestha, which sings of hope even in disappointment.
Send us your the lucky no on your songbook with your name, address and phone no at Jackpot Songbook, PO Box: 9220, Kathmandu, Nepal or jackpot@wavemag.com.np.
