Why  iconic  Leslee Lewis feels like a “kid-newcomer” with his latest  global Hindi ‘The White Album ‘ release ? 

- Chaitanya  Padukone

 Deviating from the conventional marketing norms, maverick maestro senior musician-composer singer  Leslee Lewis' has just released  his latest vocal venture The White Album in an unconventional way. Strangely, the unique promotional poster has him in his own flashback image as an 18-month chubby toddler. 

The outspoken Leslee discloses that  he feels like a 22 year old newcomer all over again And even like a baby toddler . 

Speaking to me exclusively, Leslee explained the logic of his album title and the unique concept. “ When you think White, you tend to shed all your existing colours and that transports you into a zone of tranquil-peace and yet with an intense romantic undercurrent. All my six songs speak and converse with the attentive listeners. There are global harmony vibes yet with the local desi connect that hits you. One of the songs goes “Aadhi Raat Whisky Aur Tu’. This time I feel it’s like my rebirth like a newcomer. Because besides being the composer-singer-lyricist I am also the ‘independent producer’ of The White album and also the videos, for the first time,” smiles Leslee who incidentally has an illustrious lineage. That’s because Leslee happens to be the son of  the legendary ‘late’ Bollywood choregrapher P.L.Raj, known for his dance-direction in iconic songs of  memorable movies like  Sholay, Don  { Khaike Paan song }, Sholay, Sargam, Teesri Manzil, Junglee  and many more. 

 Meanwhile buddy celeb-singer-composer Hariharan feels that “the subtle, soothing vibes in The White album are straight from the heart , The songs catch you and you take off into a different world. Its so surreal and inspiring,” shrugs Hariharan who has collaborated in the past with Leslee in iconic musical ventures like ‘The Colonial Cousins’ <1996>. 

Music virtuoso-singer-performer- instrumentalist Leslee rolled into one is now looking at these seven colours of white through a prism. He is coming out with three rays of light, the White, Black and the Tirangaa albums."While the white brings you peace, the black is the ante -- your wild side, and the Tirangaa is an ode to the true desi in you," elaborates Leslee Lewis. The down-to-earth Leslee who incidentally has an amazing family background.  That’s because Leslee happens to be the son of  the legendary ‘late’ Bollywood choregrapher P.L.Raj, known for his dance-direction in iconic movies like  ‘Junglee. ‘Teesri Manzil, Sholay, Don  { Khaike Paan song },Bombay to Goa and ‘Sargam’ and many more. 

The White Album launched in Tap restobar at  Andheri with friends and fellow musicians attending, showing their support and congratulations for the legendary Leslee Lewis. Among the celeb-attendees were buddy Hariharan with son Akshay Hariharan, Jeetu Shankar, Kavya Jones, Sandip Soparrkar with actress-model Shanthi Priya, , host Ankit Tamang, DJ Akbar Sami, Girish Wankhede, Chaitanya Padukone, Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, Karan Oberoi, Sherrin Varghese and Danny M Fernandes, actor Prit Kamani, Shubham Ray,Siddharth Haldipur,  Meghdeep Bose, actress-anchor Akshaya Shetty  Mukul and Sasha Dabholkar, actor Hrishikesh Pandey, Sheldon D’Silva, beat-boxer Divyansh Kacholia and many others.
The album cover was formally unveiled by Leslee Lewis, Hariharan, Jeetu Shankar, Vivek Prakash and Girish Wankhede.

The video for the song Tere Bina Love from the album was played, enthralling the attendees with its romantic melodies and uplifting vibes.

Avers Leslee Lewis, “Each of us has a soul colour, a soul music we seek, depending on our mood and state of mind. These albums are mood music -- some soothe you, others sear your soul, while some are sheer celebration."

The music also reflects the journey of Leslee Lewis, through time, through musical genres, the soul music, blues, pop, folk -- essentially compositions that effortlessly weave a tapestry of notes that envelopes, enlightens and entertains you. And mind you, that is no easy task.
Agrees Leslee Lewis, "It is like baring your soul, dreaming naked in front of the arclights wanting the world to love you and travel with you. I am beginning with the clean, optimistic and powerful colour -- white," Leslee Lewis' offerings beginning with The White Album is appropriately named Global Hindi, as the creations in our national language boast of beats for every heart the world over.
The White Album is out now on Spotify, Wynk Music and Youtube. Check it out!