Versatile singer, composer, show presenter Rajiv Sebastian launched his newest venture in the showbiz arena last week.
The latest record label in the scene ‘Starlanka Music’ has released five new albums of the good old music of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s under the guidance of Rajiv.
The first two CDs’ are ‘20 Year Explosion’ – Session 1 and 2 the only available live performance of the late Clarence Wijewardene along with Annesley and Indrani.
This was recorded at the Colombo Hilton 20 years ago backed by the fabulous Fortunes led by the late Stanley Peiris. On this rare recording, Clarence himself describes how he composed songs such as ‘Gamen Liyumak’, “Kageda Gon Wassa’ and other popular songs of 70’s in detail. This one-of-its-kind recording includes 45 hits (the cream of Clarence, Annesley and Indrani) and is probably the best pair of CD’s their fans could ever have.
While Indrani said ‘I was very much looking forward towards the release of this recording since it has sentimental value because Clarence himself explains how he composed certain songs’. Annesley concluded ‘No matter how many CDs our fans have of us, these two CDs are a must’.
Product No. 3 is ‘The Big Band Sound of the Legendary Harold Seneviratne Combo’ recorded 20 years ago, while Harold (the man with the golden sax) was dominating Sri Lankan showbiz with his colleagues the late Lucky Manickawasager, Jewel Gunatilleke, Claude Fernando and Duncan Clyde. This album comprises of 22 evergreen hits of which also includes the golden oldies medley (Pack-up your troubles, Tavern in the Town, Bye Bye Black Bird, Margie, Auld Lang Syne, etc.).
‘If you are prepared to move your feet to a Waltz, Jive, Tango, Cha Cha, Samba or Fox Trot, Harold has it all rapped in his seasonal gift’ Rajiv said. “I wish I could play the same way” commented Harold.
Product No. 4 is a non-stop recording of the Tamil Pop Chakrawarthi, A.E. Manoharan backed by Rajiv & the Clan which includes all his popular hits such as ‘Surangani’, ‘Muruga’, ‘Ilanga Embada’, Koranjanita’, ‘Rasanayagam’, “Enjoy Yourself”, ‘Meenachchi’, ‘Ka Ka Ka’ etc. This 32 song album where Mano sings in various languages, other than Sinhala, Tamil and English is meant for dance maniacs of Kaffirinya, the most popular rhythm of Sri Lanka.
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‘I don’t think I could present anything better for the music loving public than this’ said Manoharan with a smile.
Product No. 5 is ‘Mega Hits of the Seventies’ which includes the dynamic vocal contribution of Desmond de Silva, Sunil Perera (Gypsies), Shayami Fonseka, Ranil Mallawarachchi, Lilanthi Karunanayake, Samanalayo, Buzzing Bees, Bentota Bees, Los Muchachos, La Ceylonians and Sri Lankians.
The mega hits “Kathrina” sung by Sunil and Lilanthi and “Lassana Desak” sung by Shayami and Ranil are sure to hit the Sri Lankan pop charts. ‘When I moved out of a particular record company, people were worried that the music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s may fade off gradually at recordings. I took a break to find a proper recording studio which could produce the acoustic sound to regenerate the hits of that era and decided to step in not only as a music director but a producer and distributor. I hope people would be away from piracy for me to help them be in touch with the legends in Sri Lankan music’ concludes Rajiv with many more concepts for events and recordings up his sleeve. |
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