Lanka’s first Open House Party CD

Sri Lankan Open House Party is a high energy non-stop Dance CD with all time greatest ‘baila’ hits, powered by Kanishka Wijetunga, Ganesha Wijetunga, Suresh Maliyadde and Mariazelle Gunethilake.

Adding a fusion mix to the CD is guitarist Russell Ali (Universal Records-USA) Brothers, Kanishka and Ganesha are two musicians based in the United States who started their music careers in Sri Lanka, while in their teens. Suresh is a renowned composer and a maestro keyboardist based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The rest of the musicians who joined the band to record the CD are a set of a -list performers from elite bands in Sri Lanka.

History and the Vision of ‘Sri Lankan Open House Party’: The idea for a Sri Lankan Dance CD with all time greatest hits emerged during Suresh's USA music tour in 2004. After a show in California he met up with his friends and former band members Kanishka and Ganesha. The trio wanted to produce a CD together and tossed around ideas for an album.

Suresh, as a contemporary composer, has produced many songs. His music production also extends to other facets of entertainment such as movies and tele dramas. Kanishka and Ganesha have in their stack of treble clef indexed papers, music material of their own. Being seasoned live performers (Kanishka and Ganesha primarily playing in USA and Suresh to audiences all over the world), and sharing a passion for Sri Lankan dance music, it was natural for the trio to embark on a project that involved Baila. While being able to work on something they loved they thought that the project would give them an opportunity to promote this inherently Sri Lankan music in USA and other parts of the world. Subsequently the "Sri Lankan Open House Party" Project was born-A CD project that would have a collection of all time greatest "baila hits" from the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Next, the trio focused on the actual sound they wanted to create. Authentic sounds from the past wee recreated to match the sounds of each decade. Focusing on the feasibility of the project, the producers came up with a game plan to do the entire CD production from the two corners of the globe. The CD production was split into two phases. First phase was to be completed in Sri Lanka. This involved arranging the format and progression of the music and tracking in a studio in Sri Lanka. Second phase to be completed in USA included tracking male vocals (Kanishka, Ganesha and Suresh), and the subsequent Mixing and Mastering of the CD in a top notch Grammy award winning Studio in Washington DC. An A-List set of musicians joined Suresh at Torana Studio to track the music for the CD. Mariazelle Gunetilake colored the female vocal tracks during he reocrding sessions done in May 2005. You will hear tastefully done Eastern drums by maestro percussionist Manoj Peris blending into the tonic drum track by Gypsies drummer Niresh Perera.. Lead guitarist Mahinda Bandara (Fortunes) and bassist Tilak Dias bring to life the "Warm and energy filled dance tracks" with their signature guitar and bass styles. Several takes and multiple sound samplings were exhausted by the producers to create a crystal clear sound that was very tight and dancy. All tracks were digitally cut to be shipped to USA for the second and final phase.

Introducing to Sri Lankan Audiences - Rocker Guitarist Russell Ali of Universal Records.

Russell is a signed guitarist of Universal Records in USA. Also endorsed by Ibenez, Russell has worked with numerous multi platinum artistes. A former band member of Kanishka and Ganesh and a close friend, Russell joined the Sri Lankan Open House Party crew with enthusiasm to add a magic touch of fusion to this CD.

Phase 2 in Maryland USA - Vocals Russell's Guitar Tracks Mix down and Mastering

The second phase of the CD came to life in April 2006. It unfolded at the Omega Sound Studios in Washington DC. Kanishka, Ganesha, Suresh and Russell rendezvoused at this first tier recording facility to track the vocals and guitar. After the tracking, mixing and mastering the sound was warm and punchy yet tastefully reminiscent of "baila" from yesteryears. With 4 musicians and, renowned sound Engineer Caleb Kieter at the mixing board, a well siphoned musical creation was born unto this world. Stages of the two phased productions in Sri Lanka and USA were filmed by a camera crew and few sneak peaks are available at both www.knishkaonline.com and www.maliyadde.com. This is a first in Ssri Lankan music history in that listeners can get a glimpse on line, of how a CD comes to life in a studio.

The CD will be launched simultaneously in Sri Lanka and USA. Sri Lankan Open House Party CD will be available in Sri Lanka in most music stores including Torana, Vibrations, Majestic City and Liberty Plaza.

USA and Canada residents will be able to purchase the CD online at www.KanishkaOnline.com or at www.maliyadde.com
Tribute to the Singers and Song Writers of the Past

Kanishka, Ganesha and Suresh have dedicated this CD to the singers and song writers who created these everlasting hits. On the CD cover, you will find the following thoughts penned by the trio that attest to the deep appreciation they have for creators of Sri Lankan Baila.

It Reads…
‘For an Artist Beauty lies in a creation that is revered by an audience. Same holds true to a Musician. A melodic creation, while intoxicating the mind, anchors your emotions in harmony with the suggestive rhythms you hear. For any Creator, beauty is what inspires the inner mind to embrace innovation. Baila is a song and dance format developed by the party savvy islanders of Sri Lanka. Regardless of where you are in life, this genre of music is capable of ushering an audience to the pinnacle of blissful oblivion. In honor of the creators of this music format we have recreated it for you.
Music indeed is a concord of sweet sounds!"
Signed-Kanishka-Ganesha-Suresh