Many Roots Ensemble Release New Single ‘Insaniyat (Prime Time)’ Featuring Swadesi

Goa-based multi-genre group Many Roots Ensemble – comprising guitarist Subid Khan, bassist Souvik Bhattacharya drummer Abhishek Debsikdar and saxophonist Jarryd Rodrigues – are back with new music after four years. Their new funky yet gritty song “Insaniyat (Prime Time)” follows 2019’s three-track EP Black Indian and features members of hip-hop group Swadesi; MC Mawali and the late MC Tod Fod. Organist and synth player Manavon Massar has also contributed to the song.

In this interview with Rolling Stone India, Many Roots Ensemble talk to us about their new song, how the collaboration with Swadesi came about, their forthcoming album and more.

What has the band been up to since Black Indian was released?

Khan: We played some major festivals like NH7 Pune, Ctrl Alt Delete in Mumbai and we were also doing a bunch of local pub and club gigs around the country. We had this momentum going till early 2020 when we played at the Kala Ghoda festival and then the Luna music festival in Sri Lanka too. Once the pandemic struck, all of us had to go back to our individual hometowns. But after the pandemic situation relaxed a bit, we reconvened in Goa, which was much more open and active in terms of live music at that time.

Debsikdar: Since bringing things back in Goa, we have been quite active with live gigs pan-India, with a few seasonal breaks which were used to write new material for the further release of a full-length album. A considerable few years have passed since any recorded music has been released, and we feel deeply discontent about the same but we are turning that over, starting with this single.

What can you tell me about the new song “Insaniyat (Prime Time)?”

Debsikdar: ‘Insaniyat’ came about as a very layered composition. Souvik, our bassist, came down with the bass groove first. Then, I figured the beat to it after which, Subid came about with the rhythmic guitar vamp and theme melody. We definitely felt a very Rage Against The Machine kind of energy from the tune and wanted to get rappers on board. The tune became much heavier after the sax and the rappers and the keys layers came in. The entire lyrical credit and the title of the song goes to MC Tod Fod and MC Mawali. They have written about some major truisms that need to be said, regarding the surge of majoritarian religious and casteist fundamentalism and extremism that we are witnessing in this country for some years now. The sad truth still remains that our brother MC Tod Fod is no more, but his legacy will live on.

Khan: We weren’t too happy with the previous version at the time so we shelved it. However, during the pandemic, we had tons of time on our hands. I took the stems of the recording and went to the Swadesi crew’s headquarters in Aarey Colony, where they had a home recording setup. The vocals of MC Tod Fod and MC Mawali were recorded there. Manavon Massar sent in some keys, which he recorded in Shillong. The guitar solo was also re-dubbed at home after which, Jarryd, our sax player, added his parts. After all that, we then sent it to Tamzid Rahman of Space Cat Studios to mix and master the track.

How did the collaboration with MC Mawali and the late MC Tod Fod for this song come about?

Khan: When we initially came across Swadesi, we really felt that what these guys were talking about was real. They were talking about important social issues, about environmental consciousness, tribals and their rights to their land and their way of life, the social workers who are at the lowest rung of our society, etc. as opposed to the bling-bling, flex-flex, vulgar content that we see in most contemporary hip-hop. Also, the fact that they rap in local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, etc. and incorporating elements of Konnakol in their rap, was great. They are really owning what they do, which we found inspiring. Lastly but also very importantly, the energy they bring on stage really complements the energy we bring as a band!

Debsikdar: We have been gigging with the MCs of the Swadesi Crew on and off for a few years now and it has been really fun working with them! MC Tod Fod was our collaborator for the longest time until his untimely death. He then brought Mawali in and we did a bunch of gigs with both of them on board.

Rodrigues: When it came to ‘Insaniyat,’ we first played Tod Fod the tune, which was basically the groove and hook line. Initially, he would freestyle over it at gigs we would do together. But then we thought how fun it would be to actually write something together after which, he started writing some verses on it. He then brought up the idea of bringing Mawali on board too, and we were totally game for that, considering how much we love their work and vibe with them. They’ve done such a stellar job on it, with the message they’re trying to convey and also in the way they deliver and express that message.. This has been a much-awaited collaboration. 

What can people expect from the upcoming album?

Khan: The upcoming album is currently under process. We are ideally looking at eight tunes, and if all goes as planned, we should be able to release it by the end of 2023. Right now, we are in the process of fine-tuning the arrangements, thinking of collaborations and features, etc. The sonic imprint of the album is going to be wide. We are bringing in all our influences, which is pretty much the core ideology behind the band, to not be limited to genres and specifications but to embrace all our musical influences. One can expect sounds inspired by afro jazz, afrobeat, hip hop, funk, R&B, neo-soul, Balkan and Ethiopian sounds. Most importantly, fat and delicious grooves.

Stream “Insaniyat (Prime Time)” on Spotify below and on other platforms.