Hear Bodhisattwa Ghosh’s Journeying Solo Album ‘Darkest Days and Brightest Nights’
The Kolkata guitarist and composer has got guitarist Ehsaan Noorani, drummer Sambit Chatterjee, bassist Mainak ‘Bumpy’ Nag and producer-guitarist John Paul on board for his album
Kolkata-based guitarist and composer Bodhisattwa Ghosh. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
On his first ever solo album, Kolkata guitarist and composer Bodhisattwa Ghosh aka Bodhi muses on the state of the world as well as the joy of creativity, across nine tracks and 14 musicians.
Darkest Days and Brightest Nights, which released on December 1st, is Ghosh’s rock excursion after years of being known for his work in avant-garde jazz (The Bodhisattwa Trio), Bangla rock (Lakkhichhara) and other styles. “Unlike other projects, in this one I am the only one in charge of the whole thing and all decisions, right or wrong, good or bad have to be taken by me and me alone, so I am a bit nervous about that,” the guitarist says.
Not only does his soulful guitar work stand out on Darkest Days and Brightest Nights, the collaborators add a lot of weight to the (mostly) instrumental record which Ghosh describes as “more accessible and relatively very simple.” He tapped into a sound he considers “new and now” in the guitar space, citing his love for the new era of instrumental guitarist-composers such as Nick Johnston, Plini, Mateus Asato and Lari Basilio. Ghosh adds, “I have tried to keep the essence of a rock album, but keeping in mind what rock is and should be in 2021.”
There’s stark string-bending action on “The Calling,” while “Ballad of a Broken World” kicks into grandiose, dramatic rock. Ghosh reigns with a piercing guitar melody on “0305,” which features a guest solo from Ehsaan Noorani. In a rare show as a vocalist, Ghosh brings out his smooth, David Bowie-esque dreamy singing charms on “Pandorum,” which descends into a dissonance familiar to fans of the Bodhisattwa trio.
The guitarist-composer digs into a hard rock riff on the explosive “Unhinged,” featuring galloping drum work from Sambit Chatterjee, and immediately mellows down for an acoustic campfire jam on “Into the Light,” featuring vocalist Armeen Musa. That is followed by an urgent, Eighties-informed glam metal flair on “Rush.” Ghosh adds about the sonic diversity of the album, “I didn’t write any tune keeping a particular style in mind, but rather whatever came to me naturally at any given time. So that should give the listener some aesthetic variation and take the monotony out.”
In the final stretch of the record, the title track assembles all the makings of a classic rock song – borrowing anthem-like energy from bands like Pink Floyd and U2. It features vocalist Saul Samuel, violinist Rohan Roy and several others. Majorly assisted by Lakkhichhara bandmate John Paul on the production, guitar and keys, Ghosh also called on drummer Gaurab Chatterjee, pianist Pradyumna Singh Manot, bassist Aakash Ganguly, bassist Mainak ‘Bumpy’ Nag, his Bodhisattwa Trio drummer Premjit Dutta, producer-guitarist and keyboardist Shubhagata Singha aka Rivu.
Ghosh says, “I asked each and every one to do a particular work according to their strengths and comforts.”
Just like any project he’s helmed, the guitarist is keen on taking his solo album live by early next year, along with the featured musicians. Additionally, The Bodhisattwa Trio has “a huge volume of work” coming up in 2022, including an international run of shows. “We plan to record our fourth album in July abroad, with international collaborations,” Ghosh adds. Lakkhichhara releases are also in the pipeline. “If all things go well, and there are no more lockdowns, 2022 should be a very busy and productive year,” he adds.
Listen to ‘Darkest Days and Brightest Nights’ below. Stream on more platforms here.
