FreeSpirit Announces Special Album

To Raise Funds for Tsunami Victims 

Mumbai, January 11, 2005 

FreeSpirit Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. has announced to compile a special album to raise funds for the Tsunami victims in the country. The album (yet Untitled) will feature some of the biggest names of the Indian music fraternity. The announcement was made at a press conference Hosted by Out of the Blue, Hotel Pali Hill, Bandra, in presence of world-renowned artists Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Sultan Khan, Taufiq Qureshi, Shankar Mahadevan and Ali Azmat (of Junoon fame). Ad-man & lyricist Prasoon Joshi who is penning the lyrics for the main new track was also present. FreeSpirit artists from Bangalore Ricky Kej, Natraj of Vinapra (who have made a new track for the album) and Uday Benegal (Alms For Shanti) were also present at the occasion.  

Said Ustad Zakir Hussain, “This has been a mammoth tragedy and the loss is unprecedented. Music has always been a great healer in life and when Taufiq approached me to be part of this new song he is composing I immediately agreed. I feel this is our honest and sincere effort to generate funds for our fellow countrymen who are passing through the worst phase of their lives”.  

Said Taufiq Qureshi, “I was very moved by the TV images of the effected areas and when Rajeev Sharma called me with his plans to put out an album for raising funds and asked me for a special song, it was the least I could do. Thereafter I have had the support of such stalwarts as Zakir Bhai, Ustad Sultan Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, Prasoon Joshi and many more artist’s have come forward. I am grateful to all these artists and hope this song reaches out to India and the world”. 

Shankar Mahadevan was also of the opinion that a lot has been lost in this natural calamity and its time that humanity rises above all differences. “I think that life has taught us a big lesson. We always dream big, think we are the safest in our homes. But when nature is at its worst we are helpless. Technology and big talks are also minuscule in front of nature. Its time we gather ourselves and do our bit for the survivors who have nowhere to go. As musicians we are doing our bit through this song and the album”. 

Also present on the occasion was Ali Azmat all the way from Pakistan. Azmat and Mahadevan will share the vocals with Ustad Sultan Khan on the track along being penned by Prasoon Joshi. Said Azmat, “When this tragedy struck the Asian continent, people in Pakistan were equally shocked and saddened as in the effected countries. I wanted to do something to support people who have suffered huge losses. When FreeSpirit informed me of their decision to do the album, I instantly insisted that I would be a part of it”.  

The initiative for the album has come from Rajeev Sharma, Managing Director, FreeSpirit Entertainment who has decided to donate all profits from the album to support the victims. “Although Corporate India, Government organizations, NGO's, people from all walks of life have already contributed and many more new efforts are being seen every day, we at FreeSpirit feel that the album will sell over a period of time and the funds collected, will help in adding to the money needed for rehabilitation and other long term activities being done by the government and other organizations. The album will have two new tracks featuring the big & fresh names in the music industry and we are trying to get support from a film star to feature in the video. We also have plans to hold a concert to raise more funds for the cause,” he informed.

Plans are to release the album by January 26 and will comprise of total 14 tracks - two new tracks, two unreleased songs of Rickey Kej and ten other tracks of FreeSpirit releases, featuring these artist. 

This album and songs on it will help raise funds in all possible ways like Physical sales of CD’s and Cassettes, Digital downloads from Sites across the world, Ring Tones and Radio airplay royalties. All such monies received for the next one year will go to the fund. 

Said Sharma, “Our partners from across the world are also supporting this album in any way they can, Petrol Records (USA) has confirmed placement of this album on all iTunes digital sites and all royalties received by them will be passed on towards the fund. Similarly efforts are on to release the physical album too in USA / CA, AUS / NZ & Europe through other record labels”. 

The target is to collect upwards of Rs. 2 Crores over this period. Although with the support of Corporate India or Individuals buying bulk Qty’s for further gifting etc, the units sold can easily surpass the expectations and money raised could cross Rs. 5 Crores. 

Many Corporates have come forward to associate themselves with this project and help create awareness by using their customer bases or resources to sell more Albums and thereby increase the fund. FreeSpirit welcomes all support and is grateful to all involved. 

For getting in touch with FreeSpirit regarding support of any kind please write to us at info@freespiritindia.com or rsfreespirit@yahoo.com  

FreeSpirit Entertainment Pvt Ltd: India’s first ‘World Music’ label dedicated to showcasing the best in India Traditional music and music from around the world. Under the FreeSpirit label, artists have the freedom to find their own expression so that listeners can enjoy music in its evergreen spirit. 

FreeSpirit as a company is committed to providing world-class music to the Indian market and across the world. The repertoire focuses in the genre of ‘World’, ‘World beat’, ’Traditional’ & ‘Lounge’. 

FreeSpirit has an artist roster comprising of Taufiq, Alms for Shanti, Ricky Kej, Kailash Kher & Vinapra. The  repertoire includes artists: Ustad Zakir Hussain , Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma , Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra, Rahul Sharma, Rakesh Chaurasia, Abhijit Pohankar amongst other.