Living music, loving music: Singer Rashid Ali unplugged

When Rashid Ali strummed the guitars and sang Kabhi Kabhi Aditi in 2008, the entire nation sang along with him. It almost was the Kolaveri of that year, if one may wryly say so. But instead of cashing on the craze, the singer with the easy-on-the-ears voice continued to go about his work silently. While fans got to hear him in the hummable Cry Cry and Call me Dil for Jhootha Hi Sahi, it wasn’t really enough to whet one’s appetite. Which is why ears perked up on hearing of the news of him launching his debut album, Call me Rashid. Produced by mentor A R Rahman’s music label K M Musiq, the album with 12 tracks has Rashid on the helm  as music director, arranger and singer. Apart from his music album, the self-taught musician has also lent his vocals for the song Sun Lo Zara in the upcoming film Ek Deewana Tha that has music by AR Rahman and has Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson in the lead. Indeed, 2012 seems to have kickstarted on the right note for Rashid Ali. Currently in London, here’s the singer in an email interview with DNA.

It’s been almost a month since Call Me Rashid launched. How has the response been so far?
The response has been really good and encouraging. I have heard and read very positive comments about it, so that in itself is a great start to the new year. I think the momentum is really picking up and I am really hopeful the music will keep reaching more and more people in 2012.

How long did it take for the whole album to be made, from just an idea to reality?
My association with  AR Rahman has been for almost 11 years now. I believe he always appreciated my talent and heard a couple of my own songs during that time, but the inception of the idea to do an album did not begin until late 2005, when I travelled to India to record the first song Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi for the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Since this track and the other song,  Kahin Tho were released and went on to become huge hits in 2008, along with the fact that AR Rahman had just launched his own music label, KM Musiq around the same time, it just was a perfect time to start the album.

What did you want to say through your album?  Are you happy that its turned out just the way you wanted it?
With this album, I wanted to express the simple and special connection between the voice and the guitar and how a strong melody complemented with subtle but unusual chords could make a song stand out. I also wanted to retain the organic elements which would give the music more longevity. I am extremely happy and satisfied with the end result as the album has turned out to be everything I imagined it to be.

Almost every musician dreams of making an album of his own. What is it about the entire experience that makes a musician want to cut one in his own name? Is there something more to it than the fact that you can take creative liberties?
Cutting an album for a musician in one’s own name in my opinion is just the start. More than that, it gives an identity and expression to the individual which is his own, particularly if that musician has also contributed to the album by composing and/or arranging the songs. Although, one is able to take creative liberties, the main satisfaction comes from sharing my personal vision and musical expression and emotions which come from within. I have always tried to be unique in my approach to creating my own music, whilst at the same time crediting the origins of my influences.

You’ve composed, arranged and sung in this music album. Apart from multitasking, what was the biggest learning you’ve taken from this project?
The biggest learning curve for me on this project, apart from composing, arranging and multi-tasking, has been how to extract different elements from other musicians and singers and how to get them to play and sing in a different way to what they are normally accustomed to, in order to achieve a reality to a certain vision or musical idea.

Of the songs in the album, which one proved a bit challenging? And which one has surprised you the most?
The song Jin Ke Dum was a real challenge for me. It is a ghazal, which my mother originally sang, and I rearranged in a different way entirely. I tried to do it justice and it was a little difficult to sing a ghazal, since I never had any vocal training in my life, but thankfully being thrown at the deep end can often make an individual stretch their own capabilities in order to maximise their potential. The song Parda Parda has surprisingly turned out quite differently to the original idea since now it has a really fresh, sparse but subtly intricate musical backdrop to it.

The album credits AR Rahman as the music mentor. So, in what way did he help you apart from producing the album, of course?
It is always good to have a second opinion and is even better when the person is highly competent in that particular field such as AR Rahman. He always tries to set the bar high and knows how to extract the best out of an individual. Even though the music on the album is unique, AR’s valuable input by way of suggestions has made this special album even greater.

What else is keeping you busy these days?
I returned to the UK last month following the album launch and post-promotions. The CD to my album should be available on T-Series by the end of the month. I am currently now concentrating on promoting the music here, which will be followed by live performances. I am also excited about a new song of mine, a duet with Shreya Goshal called Sun Lo Zara for the soundtrack of the film Ek Deewana Tha. (The music launch of the film was on January 6).

Finally, music for you is....
Music for me is one of the most precious gifts from God. A gift which truly does unite mankind. Creating music and playing it requires a lot of dedication, time and devotion. To be inspired and to be at one’s best, one needs to live, eat and breathe it and the most important thing is to genuinely love it, without which it is difficult to keep doing it in life.