Red Baraat: A Fusion Band with a Unique Twist
Red Baraat, a New York-based band known for their fusion of bhangra, jazz, and psych-rock, has taken on a new challenge in their latest album, "Bhangra Rangeela." The band, led by founder and dhol player Sunny Jain, was asked to perform at a Muslim-Jewish wedding, where they were tasked with putting their own spin on the traditional Jewish song "Hava Nagila" for the "baraat."
Jain and the band, known for their energetic performances, were able to capture the essence of the wedding performance and create a 20-minute jam that was described as "epic." After the performance, Jain wanted to give the song a different arrangement and added new parts. He then went on to add Pakistani rapper SMK and Sufi vocalists Bakshi Brothers for what became the title track of their new album, "Bhangra Rangeela."
The creation of this track from a wedding performance was just the beginning of Red Baraat’s commitment to pluralism and community. The band’s previous album, "Sound The People," was more political in its commentary, reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term. "Bhangra Rangeela" sees the flip side, wanting to bring people together and break down barriers.
The album features a mix of new original music and remixes of songs from albums like "Bhangra Pirates" and "Chaal Baby." It also includes contributions from New York-bred desi artists like Karsh Kale and DJ Rekha, as well as the collective/label Indo Warehouse’s DJ-producer Kahani.
Another great addition to the album is Stewart Copeland, co-founder and drummer of the legendary band The Police, who added drums and remixed "Gaadi of Truth," originally on the album "Bhangra Pirates." Jain credits the connection to marketing specialist Neil Benson, who was working for management company Opus 3 Artists years ago.
Beyond their work with Red Baraat, Jain recently appeared in the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," where he portrayed a local musician playing tambourine and jamming on the devotional song "Om Jai Mahavir Prabhu." The scene inspired his song, which was suggested by the film’s producers.
The increasing spotlight on South Asian diaspora voices in music is something that Jain sees as both natural and overdue. With South Asians making up 17 percent of the global population, it makes sense that their music is gaining recognition globally.
For their part, Red Baraat are kicking off a launch tour through the U.S., hoping to put the message of "Bhangra Rangeela" loud and clear. They are committed to touring throughout the year and bringing their music to as many communities as possible.
Reference : https://rollingstoneindia.com/red-baraat-sunny-jain-interview-bhangra-rangeela-album/
