TV Times

TV Times

'Soul Christmas' : Originals by Lankan singers
By Sanath Weerasuriya
'Soul Christmas' is the latest original Christmas album by young Sri Lankan artistes, which was released last week by M. Entertainments.

'Original Music Competition' on TV Times feature 'Soul Christmas' as the star of this week's 'Original Music Competition', which is organised by M- Entertainment in collaboration with TV Times.

The album 'Soul Christmas' comprises eight original tracks by ten talented young singers .

'Time of the Year', 'Praise the Lord', 'Home for Christmas', 'Chapel on the Hill', 'Playing Santa', 'Stay United', 'Our Christmas Wish' and 'Vinodayen Api - This Christmas Time' are these originals in English and Sinhala.

This project was initiated by Asitha Attanayake, Rajive de Silva and Mihiri Bopearachchie, who were joined by Agra Premarathne and later by Shean Dharmaratne.

Asitha Attanayake (the team leader at T1 Productions) has been the main driving force in the entire production of "Soul Christmas". He wrote many lyrics for this album, contributing ideas on the styles of singing to be used on it and music arrangements.

The other members of the project are Chathuranga, Ranadatta, Shiraz Yoosuf of 'Rude Bevoy', Elishya Godamunna, Shilpee Bopearachchi and Sajith Gunaratne. 'The theme for this album came about with an attempt to put forth music created to reflect some of the true emotions felt by people during this season. It is a step apart from a traditional Christmas album, allowing listeners to enjoy these tunes all throughout the year', said Asitha.

The is the very first original Sinhala/English Christmas album by Sri Lankan artistes. It encompasses many music styles, from Hip-hop to Country and Western to Fusion, catering to a wide audience.

'T1 Productions' started in 1994 by the name of "Take 1". This production house was mainly concerned with producing tracks for TV and radio commercials. In the year 2000, the successful production of Bathiya and Santhush's first album "Vasanthaye" was overseen by T1 under the guidance of Ranga Dassanayake, who now operates his own studio "Hit Factory". The function of audio engineering has since changed hands from Shane Pillai to Chathuranga Ranadatta and now to Rajive and Agra.

Thereafter, Asitha decided to take the production house upto the next level and produce tracks for other talented new comers as well. Since then, T1 has been responsible for the lyrics and production of the theme songs for the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and the 14th Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) held in Colombo in August 2000, as well as many other tracks of new talented artistes. The release of these tracks will follow this Christmas production.

The tracks for the album were orchestrated by Agra and Rajive, both audio engineers at T1 productions; and lyrics were written by Asitha, Rajive and Mihiri.

Rajive de Silva is currently working as a music composer and audio engineer at T1. Rajive has composed and recorded many songs at T1, with his former partner Thilina de Silva. Together they performed as the duo R&T. He has also released many tracks and is working on some more, which would be released after "Soul Christmas".

Mihiri is a past member of the Merry An Singers. She has been performing with many bands around Colombo as a freelancer since 1999 and also has been appearing for performances with Dream Team from time to time. She was collaborating with the R&T productions when she was introduced to T1. Since then, she has voiced radio jingles at T1. She also voiced the English lyrics on the AAC theme song.

Agra is a diploma holder in South Indian music conducted by the Kalakshetra University Chennai, India. He worked as assistant music director for his father Kalashuri Shelton Premarathne for films, teledramas, stage productions and albums. He is the keyboardist and a vocalist of the country and western band Deflection.

A very versatile singer, Shean was the male frontline vocalist of Dream Team from the year 1998 till October 2002. In the meantime, he collaborated with a few local original production and has also introduced fresh talent to the music scene. While in Dubai with Dream Team, he has performed with the stars likes of MLTR and Jackie Graham.

Chathuranga began his career in audio engineering at T1. Whilst maintaining close ties with T1, he also runs his own studio "Montage", where he composed and recorded the theme song of the 14th AAC. He also sang the Sinhala lyrics of this song and of the theme song of the FFSL. He has completed part 1 of the "Visharadha" exam in violin, conducted by the Bathkhande University, India. He is currently working on an album due for release in the near future.

Shiraz started in the music scene as a guest performer with Sohan and the Experiments. He pioneered the hip-hop scene in Colombo going on to form an outfit called Rude Bwoyz Republic under a London based producer. He had two major hits in Colombo in 1997 called "Underground Style" and "Free Style". The style of rap he uses now is the Jamaican Patwa style known as Ragga. Among many of his tracks are 'Obnoxious'. He recorded "Kelle Kelle" with Urban Sounds and "C-Town girl", which he recorded with Rajive. He is also planning on releasing his own album in the near future.

A talented singer, song writer and violinist, Elishya has completed the "Visharadha" exam in violin, conducted by the Bathkhande University, India.

Shilpee Bopearachchie is another member of the group and a past member of the Merry An Singers and has also sung in the St. Bridget's senior choir. She is a teacher of speech and drama. This is her debut feature, where she joins in the vocals with her sister Mihiri.

A "Showboat Karaoke Championships 2002" finalist, Sajith is the main vocalist of the band Image. He has co-ordinated the TV Times sponsored Millennium talent contest last year alongside Dalreen Suby.

'Soul Christmas' is now available at all M Entertainment preferred dealers.

All the winners of previous contests can collect their prizes from Maharaja Entertainment (Pvt) Ltd., at 330, T.B. Jayah Mw., Colombo 10.

To enter this contest, all you have to do is answer the question on the coupon No.84 and send it to the address given below-The address is "Listen to Original Music Contest, No. 84, C/o Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Tell: + 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me@lgo.lk

All the entries must be originals from the TV Times and no photocopies or faxes will be entertained. All correct entries will be drawn by a panel of judges.

The entries should reach the above address by Decmber 24, the latest. The decision of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly.

Here are the winners of contest no. 80. The winners of two Sony original CDs are Shantha D. Perera of Gampaha and Lakmal Rodrigo of Kandy. Two audio cassette winners are Manuli Jayaweera of Nugegoda and Kawinga Pieris of Colombo 15.

10% off gift Vouchers go to Chamiri Gamage of Gampola, Suranjith A Perera of Kundasale, Dilshan De Mel of Wattala, Amila Sampath of Piliyandala, Gishau De Soyza of Mt. Lavinia and Sasanga Amaratunga of Panadura.

Posters winners are A Malasinghe of Gampaha, S.A. Ravinda Dissanayake of Gampaha, Chaturika Taniya Bandara of Ja Ela, Champika Ruwanjith of Galle and Tishan Marian of Colombo 13.

'Golden Dance Medley's' by Harold Seneviratne
Veteran Musician released his very first compact disc 'Golden Dance Medleys last week.

The name, Harold Seneviratne, is synonymous with vintage music of a very high quality, which has held Sri Lankan fame enthralled for several decades.

His new CD and audio comprises ten dance medleys from Waltz, Cha-cha, Latin, Ballroom, Samba, Rumba to bailas.

'Oh My Papa', 'Sail Along Silvery Moon', 'In My Little Room', 'Side By Side', 'On the Street, Where You Give', Tennessee "Waltz". "It's a Long Way to Tipperery", 'Auld Lang Syne', 'Que Sera', 'Quando', 'La Paloma', 'Brazil', 'Marina' are some of the old favourites featuring on this latest album of Harold.

The musical backing for this 'Golden Dance Medley's' by Harold himself with his Atto Sax along with Duncan Clyde on drums, Hilary Christie on Key Boards, Clifford Andrews on guitar, Darion Perera on guitar, Ranjan De Silva on bass and Malcolm De Zilva on Tenor Sax.

The CD and audio is a production of Torana music and it is available at all Torana outlets.

Harold took to music at the tender age of thirteen while still at his "Alma Mater" St. Peter's College. Two names he can never forget are those of "Papa" Menezes and Donovan Andree, who nurtured his talent and encouraged him tremendously in his musical career.

His performances at the Silver Fawn night club the Orchid Room, the GOH and New Delhi, just mention a few venues are now legendary. Horold has had the honour of playing before such international personalities as Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Jack Tea Garden and Red Nichols and the Five Pennies. He has also provided the musical backing for his school-mate Bill Forbes, The Golden Gate' quartet, Tony Brent, The Blue Diamonds and other top flight international artistes.

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