Jayanta Pathak
Remix maestro, Jayanta Pathak juggles his roles of a music producer, composer, and recording engineer with panache. He is singularly credited with bringing Indian DJs into the limelight and making club remixes a Page 3 affair.
He has been an ace DJ. He has produced music for Bollywood movies, and composed music albums for Channel V Popstars and various Indian singers. He is better known as the king of remixed Indian music. From being a passionate musician to the main producer at Agency Global Enterprises, London, Jayanta Pathak has done it all. Presently involved in various projects with singing sensations like Melissa White and Milayna, he is also working on his self-titled album to be released this year. TE caught up with this musical genius for a chat. Following are some excerpts from the interview:
How did you get into music direction?
Music has been a passion from my childhood. As soon as I finished my education, I got into music full time.
The Indian DJ phenomena owes its popularity to you. Tell us something about how you brought out that trend in the music scene?
The DJ scene was not new to the Indian music world or to Mumbai when I started off. Till 1994, it was limited only to a few night clubs and pubs. Some of my friends used to play in some well-known clubs in Mumbai. We used to have some gigs along with DJs in clubs, sometimes playing blues, funk or retro. I did my first album called Moksh with DJ Whosane. But it was released in 1997 ,after the release of Jalwa for which I worked with DJ Akbar. That was when the Times Music section of Times of India Group came out with the idea of having a contest called War of the DJs (for the first time in India) along with DMC from US. My album, Jalwa was released on that event, promising to promote the winners with their own albums.
Where do you think is the DJ market heading to, as far as future prospects are concerned?
The DJ market is growing big all over the world. DJs don’t just play music on the turntable. DJ-ing is an art. A DJ need not necessarily be a musician or a singer, but he needs to have a massive knowledge on all kinds of music.
Though music remix is a popular culture, there is a general opinion that it wears out the beauty of the original track. What do you feel about it?
This has been a big debate and controversy for a long time. I’ve had to face the same question in a lot of interviews on TV and even in person. Remix can be good music, if the old songs are rearranged in a sensible way and if you can make them more interesting for the new generation. Earlier, the technicians and engineers of our industry had limitations in audio technology; but they still managed to churn out quality sound. Now we have better equipment and much more advanced technology. We can obviously produce much better sounding music. As far as making remixes is concerned, it has become child’s play. So it is basically for the listeners to decide what to listen to and what to buy.
Many singers begin their career with remix albums. Do you think it is a safe bet for them?
Why not? After all, songs are songs. Even some of the most popular singers today, started their career in playback singing with remix songs. In the end, what matters is how well he/she can sing.
You had composed the background score of the World Cup soccer song for England team 2006 - “It’s the Time for England”. How was the experience?
Composing the World Cup song was a great experience and I received a lot of appreciation in the UK. For the first time, I worked with a Grammy winner –Melissa Bell of the band Soul 2 Soul, and her associates.
What are your forthcoming projects?
There are a couple of them. The first one is for the mainstream. It’s with four, British young and old artists singing RnB with electro and acoustic upbeat (including Melissa Bell and Melanie). There are some songs which still need to be refined, before I hand them over to the record label. Another album is for the Indian listeners with Various Artists, and some other Indian singers from UK, India and USA.
How do you view the Assamese musical industry?
The Assamese music industry has always been big and it will get the support and love from the locals, irrelevant of who is in or out. The only thing is that someone has to keep in tune with time and originality.
There is a variety in the folk music of the Northeast that has remained confined to festivals only. Do you think something needs to be done to refurnish it for the uptown musical crowd of today?
Very interesting question! Without our knowledge, many melodies and rhythm patterns of our folk songs have been adopted by composers and musicians from all over the world. What we require is some technical input, and the ability to afford to keep the folk songs intact, and thereafter portray them with better frames. I’m sure the world will listen to our folk songs and appreciate their richness.
Bihu, as folk music, has been modernised to a great degree. Some are of the view that this is discouraging the native flavour, while some others find it suiting the new audience. What is your opinion?
I think Bihu songs should remain what they were earlier. Folk music should have its own originality after all. It’s been ages since I heard a good Bihu song; except the old ones.
Apart from music, what else do you like doing?
I’ve started reading books again, after a long time, since my college days. I read mostly about technical stuff. I’m also involved in writing for my films. I still love playing cricket. I have also been travelling a lot since the last couple of years.
How often do you come home (Assam)? Which is your favourite vacation spot in the Northeast?
Once in a year. As for vacations, nothing is better than home!
His favourite singers
Jayanta Hazarika
Kishore Kumar
His favourite DJs
Plenty of them…
Axwell, BT, ATB, Shasa, Tiesto, Paul van dyk and yes, Fatboy slim too!
His most popular remixes:
Aye sanam mere pyar mein tere sung by Abbey in the album “Josh” (Various Artists),
Chori chori by Channel V pop star group “Viva”,
Dekho dekho ye hai jalwa in the album “Jalwa”.
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