Turning the tables

Language may not be a barrier when it comes to appreciating music but a mountain-high obstacle while interacting with musicians. Before calling on Shamur, Unplugged took the sentence “They just know English and Italian” (mentioned on the invitation) at its face value. Once the group’s members were on the other side of a phone, it was crying time! But the thought of listening to their album, Shardana, kept us going. Usually we speak highly of musicians living in Paris, for they get the opportunity to interact with artistes from across the globe. Italy is not way down the list. Music here is vibrant and highly influenced by American artistes and for DJs this is the place to be. Shamur boasts of a great combination ~ Italian producers Alessandro “Kortezman” Murru and Emanuele Marascia, and vocals provided by Teresa Solinas “Terry”.
Shamur presents Shardana on DSE Records, (Universal Music in India). In 2005 the group came up with a song that was a hit on every radio station (and it was a hit on the Indian club circuit). Let The Music Play became a rage, selling quarter of a million units of the compilation it featured in. The clubs were abuzz and were left wanting for more of Shamur. It took another three years to come up with a full-length album, which doesn’t disappoint. “Since Let The Music Play was released, we always thought of coming up with an album but DJing takes up most of my time. Every night I am busy spinning tracks at clubs and on weekends I get to concentrate on our projects.”
Shamur’s sound is a lethal blend of European dance rhythms with distinctive Indian vocals and instrumentation. After Let the Music Play came Gonna Make It, another dance floor hit. Shardana is filled with wicked tunes and infectious hooks, targeting dance floors yet again. The 14-track album is produced by Shamur and includes tracks such as Rock Your Body (Hu La La La), The One featuring .M.I.L.A.D. and Baby Boy. The album also includes the established hits Let The Music Play and Gonna Make It, besides new remixes featuring international star Lumidee and promising Indian producer Bobby B.
“Indian music is infectious. I heard a Punjabi track and called on Teresa. That’s how the single was born. The album cuts across genres, incorporating electro-pop, R&B, hip hop, bhangra, etc.”
The members met at a club and heard Teresa. “The next day he asked me to visit his studio and there was no looking back.”
Now that Shardana is out, Shamur is busy working on their next album. Two songs are ready and at the album’s soul is Indian music. “As a DJ in Italy, I like R&B and electro-pop. I compose most of the numbers, record and produce them. I also end up playing the instruments.”
So, what makes Shardana different? “The fun element. Music is music and is meant to be enjoyed.” The first video goes on air soon and Shamur does not rule out shooting another one.
During their trip to India, members of Shamur visited quite a few stores selling CDs. “We want to pick up as many titles as possible. Like I said, the music of our next album will have an Indian soul.”
As for DJing, “I use CDs and music is streamed from my laptop. MP3 tracks are of no use because of inferior sound quality. And all the instruments you hear on our tracks, I play them.” Shamur’s style is characterised by a blend of Indian and European contemporary music.
-- Mathures Paul