One with nature:

Sheeth ko Thopa has been labelled as ‘music that links nature and soul’. This album is a compilation of nine songs sung by various singers like Kunti Moktan, Dhiraj Rai, Dipesh Kishore Bhattarai, Sapana Shree, Satya Swaroop, Nawaraj Ghorasaini, Indira Gurung, Anju Panta, Diwakar Acharya, Buddhi Sagar Basyal, Mandavi Tripathi, Rajesh Payal Rai and Bhim Chapagain. The lyrics have been penned by Kshetra Pratap Adhikary and the music is given by Samaveda.

As the album’s catch phrase suggests, the songs attempt to link nature and feelings of love through the lyrics. Lyrics that range from describing a lover’s pain and comparing it to ‘Krishna Bhir’ to the beauty and charm of Pokhara makes the album interesting. The music though could have been better.

One number that stands out is Gaine. This number has that old world feel about and is one a listener will hum after listening to the album. It is quite peppy and has a definite beat about it.

With so many JPT (je payo tyei) albums flooding the market, Sheeth ko Thopa (distributed and marketed by Opal International) is an honest attempt by the artistes involved to give to their listeners an album that is not another JPT album.

Songs from the heart:

Shishir Yogi’s second music album Suskera that comprises eight songs is a compilation of momentous songs rendered in melodious Nepali Sugam Sangeet (composed in light-classical fashion) coupled with incredibly mellifluous vocal.

Suskera, as name suggests, speaks of the poignant state of human mind — love, betrayal and subsequent frustration. First track of the album Maya maari danda pari penned by Ratna Shamsher Thapa is a sublime love song that articulates the excruciating pangs of separation eloquently.

Natioanal poet Madhav Parasad Ghimire has knitted common words into the most artistic revelation of subtle feelings. Matai ra chhau ni bhaidinchha ful has its base in folk for which young composer Suresh Adhikari has fully done justice to draw out the meaning of words of the song. Lyricist Durgalal Shrestha, as always, has written deeply moving song Kasari garu ma aabhinaya

royera hasnu parne for which Yogi himself has composed music. He has proved his dexterity in composition equally well with this album.

The last four songs to some extent are different from first four in the album. These songs go beyond howling on unrequited love and speak about the reality of life we have been living it. Ghamaraj Luitel’s Tal runchha gau-besi condemning the ongoing violence appeals all to realise the loss we have suffered. Jiwan kai diyo nibhejasto by Raman Ghimire is another meaningful number. Civil Society activist Sundar Mani Dixit’s points out to the emptiness of mundane life and portrays the general mood of the country.

Shakti Ballab has arranged Kshetra Pratap Adhikariy’s song beautifully. It is a song every Nepali can understand and has encompassed the pains and sufferings of the people from the capital to remote Dolpa and Rolpa.

In the stores:

Vibes by The Edge is a collection of eight slow-paced rock songs. The lyrics, except few, have been written and music composed by the band itself. Fairly good lyrics, which includes one patriotic song too, is the one asset of the album. The music arrangement is quite a commonplace, mostly based on the beats of 70s. But Jeevan’s vocal is considerably good which seems to suit the pop songs.

Bajra Records’ Suruwaat is literally a work by beginners. The album comprises eight numbers, composed, sung and arranged by Rajendra Shahu and Suresh Rajbhandari. Except for the first track Suruwaat, rest of the songs are just so-so. The music composer has used the least number of instruments possible in a song. Sometimes a guitar is the only instrument that you’ll hear with the vocals.

The less said about Harrysonz Mind, the better. The first track Maakasam is nothing but a rude swearing at oneself. Ashirwad and Abhishesh Subedi, ‘both the sons’ have neither vocal qualities nor the knowledge about notes. Machhi paryo jalaima, a folk song has been tuned to remix rap version but it seems like they are ridiculing folk culture.