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!
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!
