Kathmandu: Due to the advent of technology and the disappearance of CDs and cassettes, album sales in Nepali music market have dipped to nearly zero. Artists rarely release albums anymore. Instead, they prefer launching EPs that include a couple of songs and are mostly available only on digital platforms.
A few weeks back, while surfing through YouTube, I saw a Nepali album in the recommendation section, one I had never heard about. It was Sunsaan Raatma by Sunil Parajuli. I randomly clicked on it and started listening. The classic record released in 1986 is now on my playlist. It is surprisingly worth listening to.
The first song on the list, ‘Aakashaima Chil Udyo’, is very popular among the listeners. Whereas other songs in the album are comparatively less heard of. The best thing about this album is the music arrangement done by classic guitar maestro Kishor Gurung.
The virtuosic power of Gurung’s arrangement is perhaps most pronounced in the second song of the album, Kahile Kahi. It starts with the plucking in acoustic guitar and then later it is accompanied by shaky, light bassline and melodies of synthesiser. The music arranged by using very light sounds gives the song its lush vibrancy. It is a soulful song, very easy on the ears.
Both the instrumental songs have well composed variations and they sound more like semi-classical music as they feature sounds of sitar, saxophone, acoustic guitar and tabla.
The other songs in the album also include similar musical qualities. Both the aspiring and working music arrangers can learn a lot of ideas from this album.
The album is produced by Classic Guitar Society and it comprises genres ranging from slow rock to pop and rock and roll. Similarly, the 43 minutes long album also has instrumental music entitled Helembu and Elegy. Both the instrumental songs have well-composed variations and they sound more like semi-classical music as they feature sounds of sitar, saxophone, acoustic guitar and tabla.
The album Sunsaan Raatma by Sunil Parajuli is recommended to everyone who loves listening to old classic sounds. The album is so versatile that it can be listened to everywhere whether it be workspace, restaurants and long drives. It is also available on Spotify. It is definitely worth checking out.
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