Popular folk-rock band Lalon is set to release their new album, 'Bauls of Bengal,' after a six-year break. The album will be out on October 17, marking both the 250th birth anniversary and the 134th death anniversary of the great mystic Fakir Lalon Shah.
The album features seven tracks, celebrating songs from famous Baul mystics. Of these, four are by Fakir Lalon Shah himself. The other songs include works by Shah Abdul Karim, Radharaman Dutta, and Bijoy Sarkar. Lalon’s lead singer, Nigar Sultana Sumi, provides the vocals, while Thein Han Maung, the band’s drummer and leader, is in charge of the musical arrangements.
The first song from the album, 'Ekta Bod Hawa,' was released on October 11 on the band's YouTube channel. It features Sumi’s vocals, with guitar by Rafi Islam and Julkar Nain Ratul. Ashfaque Ahmed Turjo played the bass, while Thein Han Maung Titi handled the drums. The rest of the songs will be released later this month.
Other tracks in the album include Lalon’s popular songs 'Shotto Bol Supothe Chol,' 'Mon Torongo,' and 'Odhor Chand.' Notably, 'Odhor Chand' features guest vocals from Baul singer Shafi Mondol. The album also includes Shah Abdul Karim’s 'Tomaro Pirite Bondhure,' Radharaman Dutta’s 'Bondhu Doyamoy,' and Bijoy Sarkar’s 'Ami Jare Bashi Bhalo.'
Lalon’s last album, 'Shada Kalo,' came out in 2018, making this new release a highly anticipated one. The current lineup of the band includes Nigar Sultana Sumi (lead vocals), Thein Han Maung (drums), Tahjib Ur Rashid Adib (bass), Aarafat Bosnia (keyboard), and Mohonto Sarker (guitar).
