‘Baila Time in Colombo’: Rajiv celebrates 30 years in showbiz
It was a triple celebration for singer Rajiv Sebastian. June 23 was his birthday and exactly 30 years ago in 1990, he registered his band ‘Rajiv and The Clan’, which elevated him to the stardom not only in Sri, but around the world.
It also coincides with the 13th anniversary of popular ‘Star Lanka Music’, his own record label and Production Company.
While celebrating his birthday (God knows his age) last week at the ‘Curve’ of Park Street Mews complex, Rajiv launched his latest music video ‘Baila Time in Colombo’ amidst the large gathering of musicians and well wisher. The cream of Sri Lankan music industry including Sohan Weerasinghe of X’Periments, Mariazelle Gunathilleke, Corrine Almeida, Annesley Malawana, Nimal Jayamanna, Vijaya Corea, Vernon Perera and Susil Fernando were at the celebration.
To mark this triple celebration, Rajiv has made all arrangements to launch this ‘Baila Time in Colombo’, a brand new 33 1/3 rpm vinyl album featuring a classic blend of 12 new and old songs sung by Desmond de Silva, Annesley Malawana, late A. E. Manoharan, Mariazelle Goonetilleke, Desmond Rodrigo, Sunil Perera, Sohan Weerasinghe, Corrine Almeida, Luke Hendrques, Nimal Jayamanna, Susil Fernando and Rajiv himself.
Vinyls are back big time around the globe especially in the United States, Europe, UK, Australia and other countries.
On this newly recorded long play album the music arrangements have been handled by Rajiv Sebastian and backed by ‘Rajiv and The Clan’ maintaining its original flavour.
‘Baila Time In Colombo’ Volume 1 – produced in the US, is now available at Shane Music Center, No. 1/33 A, First Floor, Liberty Plaza, Colombo 3and KND Enterprises, No. 19, Ground Floor, Super Market, Nugegoda.
He had a passion for music from an early age, at a time where the pop era was at its peak, with the Beatles, Rolling stones and Pink Floyd were driving fans crazy with their upbeat melodies, and the local bands were also coming up such as the Super Golden Chimes and the Moonstones.
The intervening years in three decades of music, had many a milestone for Rajiv. Besides the musical tours he made to almost all parts of the world, Rajiv was entrusted with the task of directing music for the film version of ‘Susima’.
Rajiv has indeed made his mark as a singer, composer, lyricist, arranger of music, presenter and producer.
He had a passion for music from an early age, at a time where the pop era was at its peak, with the Beatles, Rolling stones and Pink Floyd were driving fans crazy with their upbeat melodies, and the local bands were also coming up such as the Super Golden Chimes and the Moonstones. He started his own band in the 1990’s, in order to regenerate the 70’s music, as ‘Rajiv and the Clan’ who entertained both young and old with the unforgettable melodies of the 70s and baila music, which received a massive response.
Pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi