HFT and their Acquired Senses
By MDT for Goa Backstage
Releasing their new Album Acquired Senses, High F***ing
Times (otherwise commonly referred to HFT) is a whole class above the usual
so-called Jazz-fusion Bands in India. HFT deliver sounds that ease you into a
sunny afternoon daze, the easy blue jazz frequency of HFT are carefully crafted
with love, devotion and technical expertise. This Band is pretty tight. As a
fusion/blues/jazz band HFT has created a sound that is unique and showcases the
kick-ass talents of India. The Bands inspiration draws from various sources
globally and is assimilated into an original eclectic sound that is distinctively
HFT.
Based in Delhi, HFT is comprised of three well-travelled
gentlemen with mean skills that take you on a melodic Journey to a land of soft
breeze and resonate ease.
Guitarist Arjun Sen, one of India’s best-acclaimed
musicians, has had an extensive music career since his early days back in the
80’s. Being part of the nations important bands such as “Great Society”, Arjun
has and still continues to write scores for the entertainment industry. Being
well traveled and experience Arjun brings a world-class sound to his Guitar.
The sweet melodies, mad licks and rhythm enthrall harmonious notions that
soothe your mind.
Lew Hilt, the one and only bassist in the nation that
captivates and shakes the funky bones within you. Lew’s bass is Phat and
swallows you whole into a thick lush sound, happy yet profound. Also an artist and actor, Lew has been
around since the scene began in Kolkata in the 70’s playing for bands such as
Shiva and High. Lew has also featured in jazz bands such as, Karlton Kito,
Louiz Banks and Braz Gonsalves to name a few. Having some killer skills, Lew
has claimed a strong fan base nationwide. Hilt brings to HFT the funk; raw
blues bass feel that provides the warm wholesome atmosphere to their sound.
Suchet Malhotra, the percussionist has a unique set-up in
HFT. The ambient percussion, djembe, wooden bongos, cymbals and flamenco Cajon,
fashion the “world Jazz” sound into HFT. Suchet plays an eclectic array of
percussions such as Udu, root drum, table, darbouka, and frame drums to mention
a few. Suchet’s mutlipercussion setups have been featured in orchestras and
ensembles worldwide. Amphora’s drumcussion has been showcased in live concert
stages, amphitheaters, and dance clubs. Suchet’s percussion is heartbeat to
HFT’s rhythmic soul.
The trio amalgamated together, each with their own unique
sounds and styles, gives combustion of a new and distinct jazz, blues fusion
vibe to the Indian Music scene. Their improvisational skills are what make this
band original; their music is open to inspiration of the spur of the moment.
Their extreme talent is what allows one musician to feed off the other’s spontanious
tunes, creating the improvisational attitude to feel as though the tune was
indeed pre-written. HFT’s gigs are always slightly different from one another,
and this very fact is what makes the band exciting.
Together HFT ignite a listener into a hazy dream of a laid
back sunny afternoon that progresses into a starry night surprise. Elegance and
panache, HFT is India’s most skilled, experienced and eclectic blues-jazz
fusion band.
HFT in 2011 have been featured at the Bangalore Habba Jazz
Festival, the Du Dubai Music festival, the opening for the Nashri tunnel in
Jammu and Kashmir, The India Music week Conference and Habitat Centre in New
Delhi. Apart from gallivanting playing their tunes around the Nation and UAE,
HFT has had special performances in the smaller beachside clubs in Goa.
Realizing that Goa, host a newer underground Live music scene, HFT have indeed
showcased their music to the local and international crowd in Goa and hope to
aspire younger local bands to get it together and make the Goa music scene
virtually spin into a new wave of talent.
HFT, one of the nations most talented bands give to the
world a classy, jazzy blues feel, that take you on musical marvels, yet still
keep it real.
