Samir Shukla
It was wedding season during my recent visit to India. Everywhere the colorful baraat party (wedding processions) gathered singing songs and dancing along to the live horns-fueled music of the band. It was a mishmash of Bollywood songs and folk tunes. The Brooklyn-based dhol ‘n’ brass band Red Baraat began playing baraat music over six years ago and has since spun traditional music into their unique and pioneering sound. Bandleader Sunny Jain is the dhol player and singer who clutches the sticks, plays the backbeat and coaxes the band into unison of joyful music. The dhol is a double-sided barrel shaped North Indian drum slung over one shoulder and played with thin and thick sticks. The band has been weaving the percussion (drums also play a big role); blasting the horns and creating feisty dance music since their inception. Their latest recording, Gaadi of Truth, fits the bill while further expanding their sound. The eclectic, playful interplay among band members continues to evolve and become seamless. Jain’s dhol sounds massive while the horns weave in and out of percussive beats. There are 13 tracks on the album (including two remixes) and they range from folk to Bollywood covers, electronica-touched instrumentals to Latin shuffles (“Se Hace Camino”). Scats, unexpected change ups, and forays into diverse musical alleys mark their explorations. The band is a blast to watch live. There’s no need to goad the crowd to get up and dance. They’re already swaying with the first few beats of the dhol. Red Baraat breaks traditional barriers while creating something new. Guests on Gaadi of Truth include “Delicate” Steve Marion playing guitar on “Bhangale” and Mandeep Sethi rapping on the track “Zindabad,” mixing Punjabi folk with hip-hop toasting. “Bhangra Pirates” is a funky blender of beats sparring with classic Bollywood mashups. The recording is produced by Sunny Jain and released on his Sinj Records. The band is on the road in support of Gaadi of Truth. Visit www.redbaraat.com for upcoming tour dates.
