Artist : ESQI:EF Syaharani and the QueenFireworks
Album : Anytime
Released Date : March 26, 2010
Label : Queenfireworks Music & Demajors Independent Music Industry

We all know Syaharani since more than a decade ago as one of the undisputed female jazz icon loved by millions in Indonesia. We know that she has a soulful, sexy and sultry voice that always gives a different texture to each song she sings. But we have to know that she’s actually more than just a singer. She’s been gifted with more than just an amazing voice. She’s very progressive, explorative and dynamic. She’s always restless to find out more about the way everything run properly. She always loves to learn about many things in life including every aspect of recording processes and all about music in general. The perfect partner in action was found in the multi-instrumentalist Fareed “Didit” Saad who actually shares the same passion with her. Together they boldly go exploring every corner of music. This magical collaboration got completed With Donny Suhendra, a fully experienced senior guitarist. Then a highly creative band was born. It’s ESQI:EF : Syaharani and the Queenfireworks.

ESQI:EF is the whole different ball game for each of the personnel who came from different backgrounds. It’s interesting to see how these creative brains merged as one unique concept as the result. ESQI:EF is not led by one particular person, in fact it’s a brainchild of a creative team united by the same point of view: “music to share.” They can appear in any music forms; often give just about anything in delightful crossover. Light Jazzy, Power Pop, Acoustic, Ambience, Lounge Dance, Groove, Blues, Soul, Rock, Bossa or whatever that can present their flow of taste. Even when bringing the current or vintage style, ESQI:EF always knows how to bring it real. Listening to them will make us realize that at a certain point, music and its variety is one of the greatest gifts in life sent from above. You don’t have to think about it, you just have to celebrate and enjoy it. Put it simple, ESQI:EF brings back the essence of music. It’s universal and dynamic, and it can’t be classified. Music is the part of life and nature, one of the most beautiful forms of art that can quench the thirst of our souls.

It’s been 4 years since their first album “Buat Kamu” was released. Ever since that album was released, they already started to brainstorm their ideas to one another, thinking and finding the next concept they should bring. After working on it for more than 2 years and building each song carefully by caring about every detail, the result can finally be felt now. “ANYTIME” is the second album of ESQI:EF that speaks louder about the joy of music and life. The boxes are opened, different genres, nuances and musical elements burst out creating multi-colored songs that are all easy to love. Why not? After all, no matter what they bring, ESQI:EF concept has always rooted in 3 “E”s: “Easy Listening, Entertaining and Everlasting.” I might add some more E’s: Ear Catchy, Enjoyable and Explorative.

The process of making this album has its own story. ESQI:EF recorded their songs using digital technology, but amazingly the result shows like the real acoustic and organic instruments. ESQI:EF has proven that using digital recording process does not always have to eliminate the soul of music art. It doesn’t always have to be a “machined” music. Listening to the whole tracks of the album will surely make you feel the soul alive and breath inside, just like the real sense of life like the feeling you will get from live band playing. “This album has to sound alive not the artificial one and we have to go through a lot of hard works realizing it..” said Syaharani. “Digital recording will make the work easier, but we avoid digital editing. We did real takes of vocal and instrumental playing. If the result still didn’t satisfy us, we did retakes again and again. No digital editing was allowed even a single once.” she continued. The process wasn’t simple; in fact it needed a lot of works with patience to bring the best result. And they did it remarkably well.

The cover design is stunning. It tells the whole story about what’s inside, colorful, rainbow-like genre diversity, unique, cozy and fresh. It’s one of the most creative cover works we’ve seen lately. The packaging was made in “Think Green” concept. Besides the three founders, Syaharani, Didit Saad and Donny Suhendra, the album also featured session players and guest stars such as Ian Ingram (trumpet), Fajar Trias and Iwano Coconut Tree (keyboard), Ivanka Slank, Kristian Dharma and Adi Dharmawan (bass) and Sirhan M Bahasuan (drums).

In general this second album of ESQI:EF, “Anytime” appears cozier than their previous one. They pay close attention on details to every single track contained in the album. Some retro nuances complimenting various music styles from the early 60’s to the late 70’s can be felt along the tracks, but that doesn’t make the song go out-dated, because the frame is still made to fit the current music trend.  Syaharani has also raised the game by stepping one step higher with her vocal. She really shows what she is capable of, the kind of quality that we have never seen from her before, really standout as a terrific singer and songwriter. “Anytime” is a tribute and love to the roots of music along with their variations, served elegantly in ESQI:EF’s specific style.

Let’s see what’s inside. The album starts with “Kiranya” that appears in cozy cheerful light groove in the spirit of Swing Out Sister‘s style with a certain amount of folk/country embedded in. The collaboration between groovy guitar strumming and the lovely horn sound including some jazzy muted-trumpet sounded by Ian Ingram make this song standout as a very cool opening. Watch out for a fast swing manouver in the middle including Syaharani’s cool scat. Get more into the country-side by  holding nicely on the smooth and cozy groove with “Mungkin (Katakan)”. A slight taste of vintage 70′s style and the flow of Syaharani’s voice from soft to husky shape this song even more interesting. If you want to dig deeper into the vintage music pattern, the next song exactly gives that. “Kekasih Palsu” brings a story about a girl got fooled by her boyfriend. Syaharani wrote the lyrics in a brief and simple story telling. This song gets more texture by a cool flugelhorn play and keyboard sound that create a reminiscence of the sound of 60′s-70′s. This song brilliantly fuses many genres as one, the distinct “SORE”-like vintage nuance, the light groove just like the first song, Bruce Hornsby’s piano touch, some classic 60′s Britpop scene and jazz. Get much cozier with the breezy “Jangan Lagi Datang”. This song appears in the spirit of classical, rich, and melodious style of Burt Bacharach‘s. “Sayang Sayang Sayang” (retro dance version) will bring you to feel the glorious scene when disco ruled the world more than 3 decades ago.

It’s time to see how great Syaharani can explore the blues meeting the classic britpop with a nice topping of psychedelic rock with her stunning vocal quality on “Cancellation No More.” This fully emotional song shows Syaharani’s wide vocal range and ability to play around with her vocal, sloping up and down in perfect control. Hear how she screams her heart out dramatically in the end, something that we don’t hear often from her. Besides Syaharani’s stunning vocal ability, this song also brings the taste of traditional horn section sound of “Chicago” and Jefferson Airplane‘s psychedelic style. “Apa? Apa? Apa?” is a song featuring Ivanka Slank, a case of ESQI:EF’s approaching the heavy rockin’ area.

The album then turns its direction to visiting the exotic bossa nova with the relaxing acoustic “Anytime”. In this song Syaharani captures Karen Carpenter‘s singing style focusing on the beauty of the melody and pure/honest style of Astrud Gilberto into her own style. You’ll absolutely fall in love with this song easily. “So Far Away (Again Again Again)” again brings the vintage nuance into your soul. The original version of “Sayang Sayang Sayang” is next. Unlike the retro dance version, this time “Sayang Sayang Sayang” serves in between retro funky groove, rockin’ lines, soul and blues.

The second last song is the retouched version of a song from the first album, “De’Dia”. Unlike the version before, it now appears in delicious medium tempo lounge dance with bossa beat. The whole new arrangement came from Didit’s creative idea. A special party is set for the last song, as ESQI:EF brings us to a “Picnic in the Sky”. The rockin’ guitar acts as the wings that lead us to fly up to the sky. This song closes gloriously with a choir, featuring Dave Laurence, Pramirtha Sudirman, Anita Nibzz, Dee Prima K, Laras K, Sirhan M Bahasuan, Ken and Alin.

ESQI:EF Syaharani & Queenfireworks‘ second album “Anytime” is a rainbow-like album across the genres. It’s like a tasty box of candies in different delicious flavors, made by a set of creative brains. Once again this band shows how they can never be trapped into one certain box. They choose to go with the flow, releasing them freely, and the result is a nice package of musical celebration in variety. Smart crossover of genres can be found all over the tracks while having to the roots; blues, jazz and folk; as the core. This is an album to grab not only for Syaharani & Queenfireworks’ fans but also to those who want to see how far human could stretch their creativity without necessarily have to be difficult and complicated. ESQI:EF keeps it simple focusing on the beautiful aspect of the melody, their creations should not be difficult to enjoy no matter what kind of music you are into. “Anytime” is a brilliant album that definitely should not be missed.

“Life and the “Ballad” heritage in our team’s soul are the undeniable reasons that build a ‘junction’ of taste in our second album. We find the flow, learning along and through our path of music. Regardless the genres boundaries. Because our hearts are free.
Yet, in this life, good or bad, can never be defined, by genres… man, woman, black or white.. We do believe in unity, and we do it by exploring our color and creation. Having fun with it..live it..
Live the life.. live the music… anytime.. “- ESQI:EF

 

Tracklist:
Kiranya
Mungkin (Katakan)
Kekasih Palsu
Jangan Lagi Datang
Sayang Sayang Sayang (retro dance)
Cancellation No More
Apa? Apa? Apa?
Anytime
So Far Away (Again Again Again)
Sayang Sayang Sayang (original)
De’dia (retouch)
Picnic to the Sky

Personnels:
Syaharani (vocal, song/lyrics writer)
Didit Saad (guitar, bass, art, programmer)
Donny Suhendra (guitar, music supervisor)
Ogon (mixing/mastering)
Ian Ingram (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Fajar Trias (keyboard)
Iwano Coconut Tree (keyboard)
Ivanka Slank (bass)
Kristian Dharma (bass)
Adi Dharmawan (bass)
Sirhan M Bahasuan (drums)

Voicing at “Picnic to the Sky”:
Dave Laurence, Pramitha sudirman, Anita Nibzz, Dee Prima K, Laras K, Sirhan MB, Ken, Alin

Don’t forget to attend ESQIEF Syaharani and the Queenfireworks’ “Anytime” Launching Concert at Blacksteer Auto Lounge fX lifestyle X’nter 1st Floor, May 26,2010 at 8:30 PM. (Check out the complete info here)

Buy the album at the nearest CD Store or order it at Syaharani and the Queenfireworks (ESQI:EF)’s official website

Get the special Promo Package for all ESQI:EF Fans!

• Buy 5 CDs get 1 free CD at the price of IDR 225.000 *
• Buy 1 CD + 1 T-Shirt for IDR 100.000 *

* shipping fee not included

To order or more info, please contact +62 8161110142 or just email them at merchandise@queenfireworks.com

Payment transfered to:
BCA acc 4740272760
Zubaeda Alisyiana
Transfer prove fax to:
+62 21 74864672

For more info, log on to ESQI:EF’s official website

Reviewed by: Riandy Kurniawan
Proofreader: Alhenri Wijaya

Popularity: 5% [?]

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