For a slice of modern Indian pop music, look no further than the larger-than-life figure of Kailash Kher. The Mumbai-based vocalist and bandleader made his name as a playback singer and star of many a Bollywood soundtrack. His powerful, soulful voice and celebrity status has made him a star in the subcontinent, success he is looking to spread globally with Yatra (Nomadic Souls), his first internationally distributed release.
This leap is not an easy one. Many artists find a following within the world music community but struggle to make an impact locally (Congolese band Staff Benda Bilili springs to mind), but the problem also applies conversely. Kher tackles the challenge with a mixture of re-packaged Kailasa hits and new songs, both of which blend modern Indian rock with traditional folk instruments and Bollywood and Sufi influences. The result is a stylishly produced and accessible introduction to Kher and his band (with extensive accompanying notes in English), but whether it will make waves internationally remains to be seen.
‘Kar Kar Main Haara’ is a good example of the fusion Kher is aiming at with this collection. He sings Sufi-inspired lyrics on top of a catchy riff, before the music develops into a jam that alternates between guitar and sitar embellishments. Kher describes it as one of his favourite songs and with its smooth backing vocals and choppy harmonium solo, it’s easy to see why.
Elsewhere, some of the strongest tracks on Yatra are the ‘international versions’ of Kailasa songs, testament to the success of Kher’s collaboration with Naresh and Paresh Kamath (his colleagues in the band). Opening numbers, ‘Kaise Main Kahoon’ and ‘Dilruba’ both feature driving beats, unfussy melodies and inventive arrangements, while the combination of Bollywood-esque strings, sleazy synth sounds and fast patter vocals gives ‘Tauba Tauba’ a cool, hip-shaking vibe.
All in all, Yatra is an impressive fusion of old and new India, held together with Kher’s voice, which is never less than sumptuous. It is certainly a more substantive record than you would expect from a Bollywood soundtrack star, proof of Kher’s ability to successfully straddle genres. This is an album to join the Slumdog Millionaire generation of Indian culture: bright, confident and multi-dimensional.
Yatra is released on 25 January 2010 – expect a tour to follow.
Crepuscule Culture 
Posted on January 5, 2010 by Crepuscule Culture