The doors to Café 33 opened up to showcase a well arranged stage with the musicians and composers on the centerfold, basking in the glory of camera flashes and the golden late afternoon rays of sun coming through the window aside. The glory they very well deserved. The 9th of February 2013 must be a very memorable date for 2 musicians as this was the day their debut solo albums Haath Chani by Hamim and Jowar by Rumman Chowdhury, respectively, got released through the record label Siren.
The label Siren being a concern of Incursion also had it’s launching ceremony that day. So it must also be a very memorable day for Incursion music for more reasons than one.
Incursion has been well known by all music lovers, since their promising start at 2006 they have been delivering us with good music output and creating platforms for promising new talents of the country ever since.
While Incursion has always and is still focused on the power of rock music, Siren will mainly focus on the mainstream artists with promising musical talents, says Saadi Rahman, the owner of Incursion.
Hamim Saleh, a businessman by occupation had always had a strong passion for music in his heart. His first step into the music world was in 1993 with the award winning band Renegades, also comprising of contemporary icons in Bangladeshi pop music genre such as Habib and Balaam. The much recognition for the success and talents of his fellow band members has inspired Hamim to also contribute his talents, says Hamim. “The album, an effort that took 2 years in the making, comprises of soulful melodies with a soft rock and pop theme to it” adds Hamim.
Raihan Firoz, the son of the legendary pop legend from the 70’s Firoz Shai served as the composer to the album. His inspirations of RnB and Alternative rock along with Hamim’s melodious tunings helped create “Haath Chaani” into a unique and entertaining album, says Raihan.
The artist behind “Jowar”, Rumman Chowdhury had spent much of his youth in Brooklyn, NY. The genesis of the Hip-Hop scene in Brooklyn during the early 90’s had left a powerful impression on Rumman. “It was all around me” says Rumman “and it was beautiful” he adds. As you may have already guessed by now the album has some strong RnB and Hip-Hop theme to it, along with that a fusion of mix genres of classical and folk music. “I love the sound of the flute and Tabla “– Rumman “and I tried to integrate these very different musical genres together into something harmonious and beautiful, a synchronization of East meets West” His wife Sajeeda R Chowdhury provided additional vocals in the album as well as supporting him throughout the process. A music video is soon to be expected from the album, says R. “Incursion has been very helpful and supportive” says both the artists “and not only throughout the production process but also throughout the post-productions, the dedication is rarely expected from any other record labels in the market today” they add.
Incursion also came up with a very cool and unique idea of creating a music-mobile. For which they customized a vintage Volkswagen Beetle into a spanking on-the-go music store, in which customers can listen to the music through the “Beats” headphones in store for them in the car before buying it. A very cool idea indeed we think, which was also widely appreciated by everyone in the event, the artists included. Overall it was an evening of appreciation, appreciation of good music, good talents, good ideas; the appreciation of originality, appreciation of new beginnings, and the appreciation that passion even if dormant in our hearts will always triumph in the end with a little bit of hard work and support.
