Release Date: July 14, 2023
Label: Independent
Memories of Empathy is ready to capture current fans and gain some new
ones along the way.
I
had the pleasure of covering his debut EP in 2021 titled Stairway
To Nirvana.
As I recall, it was an impressive piece of work. So, setting the bar high for
the artist and his work is not unusual, particularly when you start with such a
good impression.
When
you look at the compelling artwork for the album, it fits the title. To have
empathy, or to be an empath, is a beautiful gift to give another human being or
any living thing. Self-absorption with cell phones and social media can be the
degradation of humankind if we do not utilize them properly. And many people do
not, unfortunately.
“Have
and Have Nots” start the recording. It points to that very thing, the
difference between the haves and the have-nots is widening in our societies.
While very unfortunate, the music and imagery this music creates will make
people rethink who they are and how they conduct themselves. The vocalizations
are in a different language than English. However, it does not matter as the
warmth and feeling come across with passion and purpose. Bodhi’s wife, Madhumita
Chatterjee,
provides the vocals along with Supriyo Dutta.
“Compassion-Karuna” has a very old-school guitar sound
(Co-Produced by David Vito Gregoli), the kind you would hear traveling down the
waterways in Italy during a movie. The atmosphere is very soothing and romantic,
if you will. It is undoubtedly a big step away from the first track. This is
what makes Samir’s music so captivating. He likes to mix things up and keep it
interesting. Keeping your musical ears on their toes.
“Heaven So High” is a gorgeous instrumental. The acoustic
guitar is sublime; additional instruments like the flute and some soft
percussion give the listener a ready-made easy chair to sink into and forget
their troubles for a while. That is the purpose of this type of music.
My favorite track is “Affinity” (Co-Produced by Sanjoy Das).
I had to listen to it several times. The invitation to beauty starts from the
very beginning and holds throughout the entire 6:30 minutes. Madhumita provides
the heavenly wordless vocals on the track, and the mix is divinity in motion.
Everything about the track breathes spirituality and the innate goodness we all
have inside us to share.
“Indifference” features Madhumita once again accompanying
Samir’s instrumentation. It has a definitive Middle Eastern flavor that weaves
an impactful thread through the song. Her voice is so smooth and precise, and
although I don’t understand the words, I can still feel the impact of them and
know in my heart there is a meaning and message.
The
recording closes with the “World of Empathy,” the longest
track on the album, at 6:48. Some excellent saxophone and gentle piano are in
the mix. It has a definite jazz flavor to it. All the elements of Samir’s music
exist in this track, thus the advanced length. All the complexities of his
music need room to stretch out and capture the listener’s attention from start
to finish, and it does.
Memories of Empathy will be revered and recognized globally; I have no doubt. It is a triumph of music and social justice that needs to be heard.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-TFOV Founder
June 2, 2023
Tracks:
1. Have and Have Nots 5:53
2. Heaven So High 4:28
3. Affinity 6:30
4. Compassion-Karuna 5:38
5. Indifference 4:43
6. World of Empathy 6:48