Chardi Kala by Sonny Singh
Chardi Kala is the Sikh concept of revolutionary eternal optimism. Even in the toughest of times, Sikhs have spiritual and political obligation to remain in high spirits. This album is a reminder that hope, love, and devotion are crucial to our struggles and our collective survival. Chardi Kala is a musical autobiography, but isn’t specifically about Sonny Singh at all—it’s about what inspires and grounds us in the darkest of times.
Many of the lyrics on this album come from Gurbani (Sikh devotional poetry) and Sufi poetry set to Sonny's original music. While these words were mostly written in the 16th and 17th Centuries, their message of denouncing tyranny, oppression, and dogmatic ideologies, while uplifting oneness and justice resonates deeply today.
Tracklist
| 1. | Aisee Preet | 3:45 |
| 2. | Chardi Kala | 3:34 |
| 3. | Ghadar Machao | 4:36 |
| 4. | Turiya Turiya Ja | 4:17 |
| 5. | Mitar Pyare Nu | 3:24 |
| 6. | Duniya | 4:12 |
| 7. | Thir Ghar Baiso | 2:28 |
| 8. | Koi Bol Ram | 3:14 |
| 9. | Sajana Tere Bina | 4:03 |
| 10. | Rebel | 2:46 |
| 11. | Rahao | 1:37 |
Credits
Produced by Wil-Dog Abers
Mixed by Patrick Avalon (except tracks 8 & 11 mixed by Wil-Dog Abers)
Mastered by Justin Weis
Assistant engineer - Warren Huang
Cover art painting by Eran Prager
Special thanks to the generous support of Paul Kandhari, Santosh Ravi Rao, and all 239 Kickstarter backers.
Sonny Singh - vocals, trumpet, dhol (tracks 8 & 10), harmonium (tracks 1 & 6)
Wil-Dog Abers - bass, guitar (tracks 4 & 8)
Jonathan Goldberger - guitar (tracks 1-3, 6, 7, 9-11)
Nadav Peled - guitar (tracks 5 & 7)
Michael Dwan Singh - sarangi (track 1)
Dominic Johnson - violin (tracks 2 & 6)
Jake Leckie - acoustic bass (tracks 2 & 6)
Carey Frank - keyboard (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8 & 9)
Anantvir Singh - harmonium (tracks 4, 5, 8, & 9)
Ernest Stuart - trombone (tracks 1 & 8)
Miwi La Lupa - bass trumpet (track 10)
Daro Behroozi - bass clarinet (track 3), tenor saxophone (track 10)
Warren Huang - tenor saxophone (tracks 2 & 8)
Estevan Sanchez - sousaphone (track 8)
Mario Calire - drumset (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8, 10)
Dave Sharma - drumset (tracks 1 & 3), dholki & percussion (tracks 1, 3 & 10), mandolin (track 1)
Neelamjit Dhillon - tabla & kanjira (tracks 2, 4, 5, & 9), alto saxophone (tracks 2, 4, 5, & 8)
Justin Poreé - drums & percussion (track 7)
Ganavya - vocals (tracks 2 & 9)
Roopa Mahadevan - vocals (track 6)
Ria Modak - backing vocals (tracks 4, 6 & 8)
Basim Usmani - backing vocals (tracks 8 & 9)
Ashni Davé - backing vocals (track 8)
Ali Mir - poetry vocals (track 10)
Sham-e-Ali Nayeem - poetry vocals (track 10)
License
All rights reserved.
Simultaneously spiritual & rebellious, Sonny Singh's music is a reminder that hope, love & devotion are crucial to our struggles and our collective survival. Sonny’s 2022 debut solo album is entitled Chardi Kala, the Sikh concept of revolutionary eternal optimism. JazzTimes calls it, “vibrant, ebullient, & energized...a prayer for our ailing world.” His 2nd album Sage Warrior came out 9/6/24.