If any Indian musician could be a contender for a term synonymous with virtuoso, it would be Kolkata-based guitarist Amyt Datta, who made a rare appearance in Mumbai at the Jio World Centre, BKC, on 1^st September, 2023.

Being part of the Electric Power Quartet – along with Sambit Chatterjee (Sambit C) on drums, Aakash Ganguly on bass, and Samrat Mukherjee on keyboards, the announcement of Amyt’s arrival in Mumbai was not only an event by itself, but immediately ensured that the box office was soon placed under the category of “house full”, and how well deserved it turned out to be…

Cut to 21^st September, 2024…with the Kolkata-based Free School Street Records (freeschoolstreetrecords.com ) releasing Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet’s new album, ‘Electric’, as a limited edition CD, followed by a launch function on 28^th September in Kolkata itself. The connect between the concert and the album is evident as all the songs featured on ‘Electric’ were showcased during the Mumbai gig, bringing back fond memories of the band’s rich musical recent past.

Opening track Introit focuses on Samrat Mukherjee’s mastery of ebony and ivory instruments across multiple keyboards. Red Plant, a much required commentary on the existing state of the environment, with its ever changing tempos, reiteratesguitarist Amyt’s efforts as a skilled improviser. Stain follows with the bass heavy song showcasing the talent of Aakash Ganguly, familiar toaudiences as bassist for the Arinjoy Trio. The funk of Black Pages soon displays the flair of the band across multiple genres, followed by the unpredictability of Erraticus. Ironic Bironic, the Bironic of which Amyt has explained in the pastis completely meaningless but was added as it rhymed with Ironic, commences with the sound of drums providing the necessary percussive beat to the slow build-up of the song, the balance instruments eventually joining to complete the rhythmic grooves.  With Pulse as the next song, the throb of the sound moves into a mostly rock-oriented vein with Amyt’s guitar-playing ripping into electric jazz-rock. Dark City concludes the album with a bass solo opening with distinctive keyboard riffs repeating themselves throughout the song.

Fifty minutes of sparkling instrumental quality appear on the album as Amyt (Datta) laces together his complex melodies using a modicum of effects on his guitar, supported by tightly set arrangements created for the band.

The music on ‘Electric’ is composed and arranged by Amyt Datta andco-produced and co-arranged by Sambit C, mixed by Sayan Ghosh and mastered by Leslie Charles, with the band being managed by Aditya Veera.

Independent music has always had its niche and, kick starting the activities through the past years has always been the extraordinarily gifted Amyt Datta, who initially garnered attention during the ‘80s as a member of popular rock band Shiva.

Amyt’s playing remains irresistible, perhaps more so now than ever, and the material on the album has genuine melodic interest, thanks in no small part to Amyt's intelligent, beautifully felt compositions and playing, powering the ‘Electric’album into a current topic.

Rating: ****

By Parag Kamani

Parag Kamani has been part of the media and entertainment industry across 35 years, having worked for licensors such as Warner Music and EMI/Virgin in music, as well as Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures in the field of films. Parag continues pursuing his passion as a profession.