Yours Musically, Adnan. Review on Teri Kasam - Adnan Sami

Adnan Sami back with another album titled “Teri Kasam” after stupendous “Tere Chehra”. This is the first album of Adnan that I am trying out. I have very less knowledge about his previous albums and style of his music except one or two songs like “Lift karathey” and “Tere Chehra” which is often played in MTV. But I was very much impressed by the video of the song “Kasam” from this album “Teri Kasam” when I watched it in MTV starring Adnan and Amisha. So, I decided to try out this album and no doubt I have made a right decision and the album has great melodies and fast numbers in equal proportion. It has totally 9 songs and lyrics are penned by Sameer.

Kasam

The song has all the right elements to be the title track of the album which is made into a video starring Amisha patel. I don’t think Amisha is as good in this song as Rani was in Tera Chehra. Adnan does wonders with tabla and flute in his usual style and delivers a haunting melody but this time with a bit more techno stuff has been blended in the rhythm. The song has an appealing tune with soulful, emotional, expressive rendition of Adnan in his unique style. A lot of orchestration with violins, flute, and strings has been done in the background which changes for each and every line. The solo violins and guitar pieces aptly used pours the whole essence of the song into our soul. The interludes have some complex music arrangements. Surely the song is a winner but the best is yet to come.

Mahiya

The song starts with nice guitar pieces and some techno sounds layered. In this song some heavy techno beats sounds at par with the tabla in the rhythm section. The track has some haunting flute pieces spread all over. A harmonium piece is nicely blended with orchestration in the interludes. Though a bit fast song compared to previous one it is also a melodious track with Adnan’s expressive singing.

Kabhi Aisa Lagay

This song starts with different sounds. The tabla rhythm is somewhat different from usual. Adnan explores yet another dimension of his voice while going high in this song. Except the tune of the song everything else the orchestration, usage of flute, violin etc., are similar to previous two songs but it has feel of its own and pleasant to hear. The second interlude with beats and flute, ending violin piece are some excellent parts to listen to.

Pal Do Pal

This is the track which saves the album when we are about to think the album is becoming monotonous with same kind of orchestrations, tabla and singing. The song starts with an unusual violin orchestration and the proceedings take us to 60’s kind of music with usage of instruments typical of Hindi music in that era. Suddenly and surprisingly the track shifts to jazzy stuff and comes back but it doesn’t distract the flow and mood of the song.

Chand Nikla

To me, this is the best song of the album. This is the only track which uses tabla minimally and also completely set a different kind of rhythm. It is a divine melody with all great aspects of a melody falling in its way. The usage of Mohan Veena pieces played by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt takes the song to greater heights. Adnan’s rendition of two words “Chand Nikla” is just out of world. I couldn’t stop hearing this song it is so beautifully composed, arranged, orchestrated and sung. The violin and chorus orchestration in the second interlude virtually takes us to space and brings moon before our eyes. A brief violin bit at the end is a haiku and a fitting close to the magical melodious track.

Tauba

You can hear word “Tauba” being repeated so fast all through the song in the background. In this song, strumming guitars accompany tabla in the background. The folk beat with flute in the interlude is a pleasant shift. The song has all usual elements of Adnan’s song and likable.

Poocho

After a fast number, again come back to a soul stirring melody. It starts promisingly with nice fingerings on piano, I was wondering why he hasn’t used Piano in any of the above tracks being a great piano player himself and he has used it very well for this song. The song has an excellent background violin orchestration which goes more complex at times. The Sarangi pieces played by Ustad Sultan Khan added at right places enhance the feel of the song.

Best Friend!

If you are so moved and almost become emotional after hearing all above melody numbers here is a great relief. You will instantly jump out of bed and start dancing for this song. The song has extremely fast and catchy tune, rhythm and beats accompanied by euphonic singing of Adnan. The trumpets are put to use extensively to give local feel. A sure shot winner. Do you know whom Adnan says his best friend is, it is none other than “God” and your reaction to this explains ‘!’ in the name of the track.

Kasam (Unplugged)

With a solo guitar progressing in the background and Adnan expressing his emotions with his unique voice in the fore this unplugged version is mesmerizing. When you hear this track you will able to appreciate the orchestration work done in track one. But I feel piano would have been choice in background instead of Guitar.

I was very much impressed by this album and I am repeatedly listening to this album and I have almost become a fan of Adnan Sami. The album is worth the buy.