Fresh Brewed by UIUC Chai-Town

Chai-Town, an all male South Asian fusion A capella group, released its album "Fresh Brewed" in 2008, and I finally got around to listening to it. Despite being an all male group, their voices sounded amazing, matching even the high notes perfectly. Their transitions between songs are probably the best of all the South Asian fusion A capella groups I've heard. What really stood out to me is the group and the album's diversity, including songs in English, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil.
The album opens well with "All of the Lights", which is so much better than the original by Kanye West. The beat perfectly matches the song, and when the rapping part came, I honestly thought I was actually listening to Kanye. Not only does the group have a Kanye, it also has an Usher, as displayed in the song "Anytime/U Got it Bad". "Sajda/ Tera Naina" finally allowed me to believe this is a South Asian fusion group. This really adds to their amazing diversity of voices, with a great classical rhythm in addition to the last two English songs. Its hard to compete with the soloist of this song who was able to hold the note longer than any other singer I've ever heard.
"Kissed by a Rose" is sung beautifully, unfortunately its lacking South Asian zest. Despite not understanding any of the first half of  "Aunana Kaadana/Pee Loon" I still found it very melodious, beginning soft, and growing more upbeat as it transitioned from Telugu to Hindi. Chai-Town, once again had my mouth wide open, when I heard their version of Chris Brown's Yeah in "Yeah 3x/Tonight (Im Lovin You)". This group seriously needs to be applauded for being to perfectly replicate voices of famous singers. "Rockin that Thang/Pehli Nazar Mein" was a great blend of voices and of the two songs. Atif Aslam definitely needs to step up his game, or he's going to be replaced by this soloist.
I honestly couldn't even get myself to finish "Choli Ke Peeche Kya/ My Kinda Girl", the beginning was way too creepy. I had never heard the original for "Tujhe Bhula Diya", but I definitely think this one is my favorite, with its rhythmic and slightly classical opening, that transitioned to a more upbeat song. The music video for this song fits perfectly and is also well done! Seeing the title "Imma Put it on Her/Tu Hai Meri Shab Hai/Love in This Club", I didn't think these songs would mix well together, but I was surprised to find that it was a good combination of all the songs.
Since this a newly discovered group for me, I have a few comments on their past album in 2004, "Arohanam". I was really excited to see a "Mohabbatein Medley" being the biggest fan of the movie. But it was a huge disappointment, with a random unnecessary English song that just ruined it all. I'm sorry but NU BSugs's Mohabbatein is better. "Because of you/Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai" is definitely the best song by Chai-Town with a perfect transition between the two songs, and soloists so beautiful I just had to stop what I was doing and listen. "Mitwa" also sounded great, with another amazing solo voice. "Sexyback/Jumma Chumma De De" was a great ending to the album sounding like the group was really having fun, and also another voice facsimile of Justin Timberlake.
To sum it up, I want to say that Chai-Town is a great group, with really diverse voices. I wish they did more South Asian fusion songs, because the ones they have blended sound amazing! The group's soloists really have a knack at replicating original singer's voices, so it will be sad when they graduate. I can't wait to hear their next album!

Chennai Express

Chennai Express, the latest film starring Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, released August 8th, 2013. It was their 2nd movie together, the first one being Om Shanti Om which released 6 years ago. The movie, which mocked both the Tamil and Hindi film industries, may have seemed offensive to some die hard fans, but I found it simply enjoyable and humorous.

There were some clear flaws, including overdramatic fight scenes, and the lack of a clear plot. The movie went from rising action, to falling action every 5 minutes, lacking a real pin point climax. There was a comedic error, with Deepika's character, knowing Hindi, but mixing up genders when speaking. That is such a basic component of any language, that if she knows all these words and can converse, she should know be able to speak with the correct gender terms. Deepika's sexy Tamil accent was well applied to her character, but did not remain with her throughout the movie, as she switched between the languages of Tamil, Hindi, and English, making it difficult to believe she was depicting a South Indian character.

Despite these very minor flaws, I still got on the train to see the movie twice. Every line of the movie was a joke, that had the whole theater laughing. The references to timeless SRK classics like "Tujhe Dekha To" and "Rahul naam to suna ho ga" would make any fans smile. A big round of applause to the script writers who were able to make every part of the movie funny, and creatively compose new songs using the tunes of old ones as the characters in the movie spoke to each other. The lyricists should also be praised, incorporating Tamil and Hindi into their songs, and creating the perfect blend of songs for the movie. It contained an item song with "1234", a catchy tune with "Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari", and two rhythmic songs that keep your blood flowing, "Titli" and "Tere Rasta Chodoon Na". I will be waiting for an A capella group to successfully pull off "Titli" just as much as I am waiting to hear "Subhanallah". Those who say that the movie is completely nonsensical are wrong. There are some morals that are taught such as Rahul's line when he says, "Sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to face them", and the idea that love is stronger than any language barrier.

Last, but definitely not least, hats off to my girl Deeps. Her portrayal of a shy but clever South Indian girl was perfect. She has really grown as an actor since her debut film, Om Shanti Om. Although there were bumps along the road with "Chandni Chowk to China" and "Break Ke Baad" she still managed to excel as an actor. Compared to her last full on comedy, "Housefull", Deepika's comedic acting was clearly an improvement, that I could truly see when she jokingly referenced the horror scene from Tamil film Chandramukhi.  Being the person in the theater who is cheering every time Deepika comes on the screen, I have to say all her movies of 2013 so far, show her most superb acting, and make the movies worthwhile. Her acting in Chennai Express ought to get her the Best actress in a comedic role award.

If you haven't already, go watch Chennai Express. It's humor is bound to keep you laughing your head off in your seat for a good 2 hours. 

Zamaane by Northwestern Brown Sugar

Northwestern Brown Sugar's spring 2013 studio album "Zamaane" had the perfect rhythm, voice, and tone to entertain and soothe you. The album creatively formed a mellifluous blend of popular English songs with just the right amount of South Asian zest. A big round of applause to everyone in the group. And, for all you middle children in the BSugs (and elsewhere), happy belated Middle Child's Day, sorry I forgot yesterday. 

The album opened strong with a mix of contemporary and antique in "Des Rangila/Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye". Despite my hatred for the original "Des Rangila" which ironically lacks color in its monotonous, overplayed, monochromatic obnoxiousness, I was pleasantly surprised at Brown Sugar's pitch perfect rendition of the number, which only begs the question Kyun, Jatin Lalit? If a college A capella team can make the song more radiant than you can, then I have nothing to say to you. I was completely revived by " Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye", and kept floating up from there. As for "Halo/Shukran Allah"; can we put a halo Cristina Thomas for her majestic voice, that made it extremely difficult for me to believe she was not Beyonce.

Paradise was probably my only disappointment, lacking any South Asian sound, which is the magic of the group itself. "Bin Tere/Without You" stands to be one of my favorites, with both soloists outdoing themselves in their respective parts. The female take on Usher's Without You proved to be not only powerful but sexy in ways that even Glee was unable to achieve.

The "Lagaan Medley" is a perfect amalgam of the songs in the movie causing my heart to crave some classic Aamir Khan cricketing action. Medhavi Bhasin and Gaurav Kikani lead me to tears of inadequacy with their vocals for "Set Fire to the Rain/ Chand Sifaarish". Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka deserves its own pradakshina for its amazing remodel of the ageless tune from Devdas. I think I may have just landed on cloud nine when I heard "Afterglow". It was a splendid ending to the album, with a beautiful meaning and an astounding South Asian blend.

Zamaane has changed my views on South Asian fusion A capella, and opened my eyes to a new favorite group of singers. Zorse Taliya!!