Samir Shukla
By Samir Shukla
Red Baraat
Bhangra Rangeela
(Rhyme & Reason Records)
When a dhol kicks in and unleashes its percussive magic, heads start swaying and the feet wanna do their thing.
The dhol is essential in traditional Indian wedding processions, also known as baraats. The large drum, slung over the neck and played with its own unique drumsticks, typically leads a groom’s wedding group with a rollicking beat while the party dances along. The dhol rolls along with its beats as the group arrives at the bride’s house.
Since their debut album 15 years ago, the band Red Baraat has been creating a musical world rooted in baraat music and layered with bhangra, jazz, rock and funky beats. The band, led by percussionist and dhol player Sunny Jain, began as a baraat outfit and since have toured the world and released several recordings. Their latest recording is Bhangra Rangeela, their first studio output since 2018. (Read the Saathee review for the previous album at saathee.com/music-review-red-baraat-sound-the-people/)
The album opens with the title track and swiftly grabs the listener with its sunny disposition. It could be a focal song of a Bollywood film, with horns wrapped around scatting and playing tag with the dhol.
Other notable tracks include the jazzy instrumental “Thums Up.”
The cacophonous “Crown of Spades” is a dhol-led rocker.
Stewart Copeland (composer & drummer for the band, The Police) appears on “Gaadi of Truth.”
The song “Bhangale” is draped in scats that are typically interwoven with Indian percussion instruments.
“Layers” is horns-fueled track that also sounds like a throwback number to an earlier era.
Jain surrounds himself with talented multi-instrumentalists who bring bombastic beats and fiery horns.
Sunny Jain: “We must uphold our values above the divisions caused by religions, nationalism, and politics. There is no absolute truth, as sometimes perpetuated by religious or political dogma, but rather relative truths, or different perspectives. Basic human rights are under attack just for looking different or because of misconceptions of beliefs. We need to get out of our social media silos and be open and engaging in real life. We can come to understand others and elevate humanity.”
Catch Red Baraat live on tour promoting the new album. They will perform in the Carolinas on the following dates:
May 27, 2025 – Spoleto Festival USA 2025, Charleston, SC
May 28, 2025 – Gunter Theatre – Peace Center, Greenville, SC
May 29, 2025 – The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
For more details, visit redbaraat.com.
