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The Hindu :
TajrbaUstad Bhure KhanMystica Music, Rs.195This is a rare album, since the harmonium is a bit of a neglected instrument in Indian music. Featuring in concerts of Hindustani music regularly, the harmonium, in the hands of India’s numerous skilled players, produces exquisite music, but isseldom given pride of place.

In this album, the harmonium wizard Ustad Bhure Khan does not give cause for complaint. He is accompanied by his disciple Dinkar Sharma on the harmonium and on the keyboard by Aman Nath. On the tabla is Athar Hussain. Of all the ragas played, Chandrakauns, Bhairavi and Pahari, the last is perhaps the sweetest in its characteristic lilting melody.

Dard Kain DarveshSaReGaMa, Rs.225This album of Sufi poetry features a number of singers rendering the works of a range of Sufi poets from Punjab. The first song, sung by Bhupinder Singh, “Ruth Firi Van Kambeya”, by Sheikh Farid, is moving. Jagjit Kaur’s singing inthe following “Dard Vichore Da Haal”, a poem by Shah Hussain, is not striking in itself, but the strength of the rendition lies in the poetry. The emotion-filled voice of Puran Shahkoti in Bulleh Shah’s “Uth Gaye Gawandon Yaar” makes it an uplifting piece. While orchestration does not drown out the importance of the lyrics, the lilting folksy gait of the songs in the album is pleasing. Surinder Kaur’s singing of “Aa Vas Mandre Kol”, a Kafi of Ghulam Farid, is sung with the typical feel of Kafi raga, making it another traditional gem.

Another song that makes good listening with its relaxed feel is Hans Raj Hans’ “Charh Channa Tun Kar Roshanayie” of…More