Ajob's self-titled debut Album is out now on cassette and CD.
Ajob was formed in 2000, the brainchild of Gaurav (also known as Labik) and Bari. The idea was to blend traditional Baul music with various elements of modern music, be it rock or funk. As such, Ajob was not just the name of the band, but a sort of mission statement. 6 years later, on the verge of releasing their debut album, Ajob are very clear about what their aim was when they went into the recording studio – “we wanted to create a completely unique album.”
There can be no doubt that they have succeeded. The distinctiveness of the album hits one immediately. It is the first multimedia album being released in Bangladesh (and definitely the first multimedia album I have ever come across apart from DVD releases), which means that when played on a computer, a menu will open, providing information about the band and their music. There is also a short video included of an Ajob performance, which is sufficient to give the viewer a good idea of the live presence and energy of the band.
The band itself is a motley fusion, with three members of Migraine –
Bari on guitar, Resalat on bass, and Saion on drums – joining with vocalist and guitarist Labik, tabla player Momtaz, and former Ujaan guitarist Harold.
The band members bring their diverse background and tastes into the recording studio, giving each song its own distinct sound. Most of the members have an interest in rock, as well as a deep love for Lalongiti and Pabondash Baul. Aside from principal songwriters Labik and Bari, one of the biggest musical influences is Harold. Having first picked up a guitar in England in 1966, Harold has passed through the different phases of pop, punk, progressive, jazz, and fusion, giving him a wealth of musical wisdom and experience hard to find in the Bangladeshi musical community.
Ajob’s diversity comes alive in its music. In the home page of the information menu of the album, they state, “No specific genre has been followed nor any traditional arrangement overrule our composition.” The spirit of the album is experimental and whimsical. There is a track where spoons are used, another with a reverse guitar which the band decided to include when they heard a guitar track being wound back. There is even a track where the band uses a 9 year old guitar recording by Bishal, who the album is dedicated to. Harold claims “No one went into this to make money.” The primary motivation for the band was the creative experience itself. Momtaz says, “It was tons of fun to record, and to hear! We appreciate that we’re making good music. We think that others will like it as well.” The band is also grateful for the chance they got to make this album. “The album took 2.5 years to make,” says Harold,, “During this time 3 of the band members (Momtaz, Resalat, Saion) were studying abroad much of the time. We also wanted to make sure that the album would be truly unique, and that took time. Ektaar gave us full freedom, told us not to worry about costs, and as much studio time as we wanted.”
Most of the songs are originals, with 3 Lalon covers, and one cover where the band is unsure who the composer is. Lovers of Lalon will enjoy both the covers and the originals. They are touching and heartfelt, and do not lose their emotional Bangali core in the process of fusion. The most outstanding songs in the album are “Ache Moja,” an experimental approach to a Lalon song, and the beautiful “Diner Sheshe,” driven by a memorable guitar riff. According to Harold, Lalon is an especially important influence on their songwriting – “Lalon’s lyrics are very universal. Every line holds some truth. You really get his philosophy from his music. Otherwise we’d just be metal thrashing.”
With their debut album, Ajob has succeeded in their goal of creating a true fusion of Bangla and Western musical heritages, producing an album unlike anything else available on the market. They now look to the future with an equally distinctive approach, with plans to embark on a bus tour of Bangladesh with two other bands. The quality of their music is great, the listening experience is highly interesting, and the personalities of the band are fascinating, making Ajob a band every Bangla music lover should get to know.
Source: Ektaarmusic.com  |