British band gets rocking in 'Bluff Master'

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) British band Trickbaby is in the news because four of its compositions feature on the soundtrack of "Bluff Master". The music of UTV's Abhishek Bachchan-Priyanka Chopra starrer has been released in the market to a thunderous response.

Abhishek Bachchan pays a tribute to the legendary Mehmood in the hit song, "Sabse bada rupaiya" (remixed by Trickbaby), already playing on television and on the music charts, reports Bollywood Trade.

The band has even shot a special video with Abhishek for the film! Based around the song writing partnership of Saira Hussain and Steve Ager as well as Jeevan Rihal (harmonium/keyboards and additional vocals), Vikaash Sankadecha (percussion) and Emre Ramazanoglu (drums), Trickbaby has evolved into a genuinely unique and celebrated band.

Aneela Mirza, Sameerudin, Araash, Trickbaby and Vishal-Shekhar have composed the tracks on the ensemble album of "Bluff Master", which releases Dec 16.

Excerpts from an interview with the pop group Trickbaby:

How did director Rohan Sippy touch base with you?

I think he saw us open the show at the MTV Style Awards last year in Mumbai - we busted a 10-minute mega mix in front of Rekha, Hrithik Roshan, all the Khans were out, Bipasha Basu and John Abraham were swanning around. It was a big night for us, rubbing shoulders with legends of the Indian cine world and some of India's finest biggest music makers.

What was the initial feeling when he approached you to score the music of "Bluff Master"?

We were chomping at the bit to do it - especially when Rohan sent us the first track to remix - Mehmood's "Sabse bada rupaiya", it's such a cheeky song and by the time Trickbaby deconstructed it and put it back together again, it turned out real nice and funky.

Our music is a bit 'soundscapey' anyway - we're big mood mongers - so it's a marriage made in heaven. It's also an honour to work with the Sippys. And Rohan is such a maverick with his edgy fresh approach to movie making - I think we have a lot in common!

How many Trickbaby songs are original compositions for "Bluff Master" and how many are modified existing tracks of Trickbaby?

We did the remix of "Sabse bada rupaiya", re-versioned a track called "Nine parts of desire" in Hindi especially for the movie. "Indi yarn" and "Neela" are also in the film in their original form. Apart from "Sabse..." the rest are on our first album "Hanging Around".

What was the brief that Rohan gave you?

Largely it was a 'Just do what you do and have fun with it' brief - he threw in a few reference points like James Brown, The Whispers, Parliament, Earth Wind and Fire that gave us a good indication - we knew he wanted big drama, horns, strings, fat bass so that's exactly what we gave him.

Comment on the large involvement of British-Asian composers in Bollywood - Bally Sagoo, Rishie Rich, Juggy D and others.

While we are not in favour of the Indian film industry constantly reinventing the old classic numbers in a remix style for their soundtracks (at the risk of losing our ability to write great new songs and nurture new writing and singing talent), we think it's great that British-Asians and Asians the world over for that matter are getting a look in and an opportunity to contribute to what is a significant part of our culture and heritage - we grew up on films like "Mother India", "Sholay", "Silsila", "Pakeezah".

Can you recall any memorable experience in Mumbai while shooting for the video?

Our last visit to Mumbai was more than memorable - it was life changing - we got stuck in the floods on the infamous torrential Tuesday - weaving down Marine Drive that was a parade of bobbing umbrellas as far as the eye could see. We hung out with Jackie Shroff dreaming up TV formats, listening to Jethro Tull and Abida Parveen till 4 a.m., we danced with Abhishek and we even hooked up with the Big B (Amitabh Bachchan).

Are you hoping to score more tracks for Bollywood titles?

Certainly! It's a pleasure! Bring it on!

Any anxieties about "Bluff Master"?

Absolutely not - the movie rocks, the music rocks - what's to fear - I think it's a mould breaker and "Sabse bada rupaiya" in particular is gonna be big - I can feel it. During the shooting for the video sequences everyone from the make-up team to the tech hands - I mean 'everyone' couldn't help but sing it, dance to it and smile to it - now for me that suggests a winning formula!

Tell us about your equation with Abhishek and Priyanka?

Abhishek and his wiggly hips and his intense gazes, is hot. Priyanka in all her perfection is hot. Trickbaby's beats are smokin'! So all in all it's going to be a roller-coaster ride - hold on tight!

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