Habib's new album Maya

The cover jacket of the album

His original projects have taken him everywhere--from dance floors to speeding highways. He was the first Bangladeshi musician to fire up electronic ambience in our local sound. His current project brings new sound to popular folk songs. It is so catchy that even a person not well versed in classical folk compositions, craves to get back to the roots and listen to the originals.

Track one Maya from the album hits off with good vocals and a sudden flute-ish intro. The occasional sounds of Shehnai and other folk instruments, composed by rhythm programming, make it creative.

Next, Bondhua has an interesting dialect and catchy acoustic guitar riff, making it sound alive. On a first listen, one can easily feel the body shaken into commenting beshi josh! (a Bangla exclamation of praise).

Song four, Baula makes a Bhangra type intro with the backing hoi cheer, steering into groovy tunes of happiness--a perfect Gaye Holud song which portrays the joy of Eastern weddings.

Track six, Ashi boley gelo could have been a much heavier track. It oozes Habib's trademark sound topped off with additional modern grooves--appealing to a hip-shaking shot.

The next song's intro can easily remind one of the Hawa-mey-urta-jaye feel and the traditional Old Dhaka atmosphere of listening to old Hindi tracks while having a scrumptious treat of Bakor khani in front of a cosy eatery. The use of dhol sound makes Lok-ey boley a great song.

Track eight Shonabondhe lacks energy in the vocals, which otherwise could reflect an exciting tune.

Kuhu shurey mon flows with a natural rhythm of its own, incorporating fresh beats as the existing sound is somewhat totally different from the original. One can visualise listening to it on a rainy evening while cruising a long drive.

Mon Mojaiya is a sad song of village life while Ochin desh-er, a lovely song of the riverside people, depicts the flavours of rural life. Track eleven Shona bondhe has effective rhythm flowing after the verses.

Song twelve Kanai has a sweet dialect, blending dance rhythm and the conventional song itself into catchy beats.

Bondhua remix Where's my baby gone has a Calypso style with occasional mc-ing and a great fusion of Bangla and English amid slight AR Rahman vibes flowing--an uplifting song bringing a very cheerful ending to the album.

Of course, no one can predict the future but with good luck and the right people listening to this talented artist featuring vocalists Kaya, Helal and rapper Kunle, it is not hard to foresee that they could be one of the major music makers of our time.