Sharaab (Saurabh Bose), my comrade-in-arms in the indie music struggle, just wrapped up his new album Evolution and its due out any day now. I’ve heard three or four tracks already — some are streaming on his website — and he’s stepped up his game significantly. His sound has evolved from the Asian electronic sound collage of his previous album Infusion. As the Pro Tools whiz says on his website — and I’ve noticed in his tracks — he’s using English lyrics and there’s more of a songwriting approach that’s obvious in the new material. Also I really like how he’s added electric and acoustic guitars to the mix to create a full sound.

I’ve worked with Sharaab previously and you can check out my remix of his “Bidrohi” track right here — it’s a full mp3 download. I just noticed from an article on Sharaab’s site that a local DC blogger and Sepia Mutiny contributor — no names revealed here! — noted in his interview with Sharaab that my remix was done by “an up-and-coming DJ Kaushik Banerjee.” Hmm, I think he meant Mukerjee, not Banerjee. But it’s all good, folks, I’ll take whatever publicity I can get.

Evolution will open up new avenues for Sharaab, mark my words. His take on progressive Asian electronic music is unique — some of his songs remind me of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails — a dark electro feeling layered with guitar heaviness.

Check out his website, sign up for his mailing list, go see him live if he comes through your town — and most importantly please SUPPORT independent music by buying CDs and/or downloads and telling every one you know. Sharaab is doing all this on his own without label support or distribution. I wish him all the best in getting the exposure and audience he deserves. Go Sharaab!