Soul of Bengal

The group presenting this charming collection of Bangladeshi music lives up to its name. It is indeed an all-star cast: presided over by Kishon Khan of Lokkhi Terra fame; arranged by internationally respected dhol drum maestro Nazrul Islam; and featuring vocals from the iconic Baul Rob Fakir, fusion artist Labik Kamal Gaurob and respected folk singer Dewan Baby Akhtar. While the ektara (plucked drone lute) and percussion fit in well with the vocals, it is the dotara (four-stringed lute) and flute of the Mokkades Ali and Jalal Ahmed that rival the singers, most noticeably in the delightful ‘Bhaab Toronge’.

The album opens with a rendition of a poem by Bangladesh's hugely influential Lalon Fakir depicting the torment of separation. The simplicity of its melody, with verses sung solo and all three vocalists joining in for the chorus, retains the popular appeal of devotional poetry. Rob hails from Lalon's birthplace, Kushtia, and Lalon's poetry dominates the album, with Kushtia's folk melodies rightly given pride of place to faithfully present Bangladeshi music. One does not have to be a purist to appreciate such a gesture; the resulting music is undeniably beautiful.