Artist description An international band whose musical style is "cross-over" by definition. On our first album we have showcased our writing and playing abilities in several genres.world-VUAn independently produced CD, world-VU features 11 original songs that could set new crossover standards for album-oriented radio and retail markets worldwide.

Music Style rock, pop, rhythm and blues, folk, world, reggae, jazz, funk, fusion,

Musical Influences Beatles, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, the Band, Indian music, Weather Report, Allman Brothers, Rush, Doors, Chicago, the Who, J. J. Cale, Barclay James Harvest, Jethro Tull, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Traffic, U2, Jackson Browne, Elton John, Billy Joel, Joan Osborne, Tori Amos, Alanis Morrisette, Bonnie Rait, Seal, Third World, Sting/Police,

Similar Artists you be the judge of that. We think we are quite original although the above influences seep through...

Artist History Bnef History of world-VUworld-VU—a global idea born in the heartland of America—is the brainchild of producer-musician named Hemant Desai. The idea behind “world-VU” and the songs showcased on this debut album came together when songwriter H.D. got together with co-writer Raj Alur and drummer/blues-harp player Shawn Cole and decided to record songs that Hemant and Raj had penned. Alur and Desai have known each other since the early 1980’s (as both grew up in Bombay, an island-city on the tropical West Coast of India). Raised in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of India’s premier music city, the world-VU writers-to-be were exposed to a variety of melodic influences in songs by artists and groups such as the Beatles, Allman Brothers, Rush, Doors, Pink Floyd, Chicago, the Who, J. J. Cale, Bob Marley, Jethro Tull, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Traffic, and U2. After playing in a few rock bands in Bombay, India, in the mid-eighties, Raj and Hemant eventually moved to the US: Raj to Boston, Mass., to work in the computer industry and HD to Long Island, New York, on a college scholarship. Shawn Cole and Hemant met—through a music store advertisement—in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1993 where the former had moved from Indiana to further his musical career whereas the latter had relocated to the Midwest to undergo training as a psychologist. With the core team of Hemant, Raj, and Shawn, the thrio set about in Fall 1997 (supplemented by sax player Jim Jenkins and a couple of other friends from local bands in Lincoln such as Jesse Becker, Leanne Dennison, and Scott Roskowski) to create a new and exciting brand of music that could only be dubbed “world-VU”. In defining their musical vision, the conscious goal behind world-VU was to create a sonic statement that could defy categorization and seamlessly blend diverse styles. In this they appear to have succeeded: world-VU contains stylistic elements that range from modern / alternative rock to reggae, country-folk, blues, swing, and rhythm ‘n blues. What distinguishes world-VU musically is a merger of traditional and popular formats in a unique package of songs with a distinct international flavor. The debut CD spells out a variety of influences as heard in the highway-friendly Sunset Driver, the Soul-tinged Waiting for a Sign, the Beatlesque On My Way Home, the introspective Don t Ask Why, the jazz-fusion flavored Arcadian Moon, the front-porch swing of Probation Blues, the reggae mood in Love Sublime, and the folk-pop musings of Searching for a Friend.With a strong first album, world-VU is currently searching for promotional label interest while they write more songs for their next studio venture. Live performances featuring the original line-up are not immediately scheduled (given the physical distances between Boston, Lincoln, and Los Angeles!) although a new album is expected next year. For more info or your comments on the phenomenon called world-VU, email us:worldVU@hotmail.com and listen to our songs at www.mp3.com/worldvu

Group Members Hemant Desai (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals), Raj Alur (guitar, vocals), Shawn Cole (drums, percussion)

Instruments voice, guitars, bass, keyboards (piano and sunthesizers), drums, percussion

Albums ist: 'world-VU' (1998) Blue Planet Music CD1010. 2nd: 'Another World' expected 2001 Spring

Press Reviews First formed around 1997, Lincoln, Nebraska, from the remnants of country-rock group 'Mustang Rain'Album recorded in Denver, Colorado, and Lincoln, Nebraska between 1997 and 1998Performed in Nashville, Tennessee,and Torrance, California in 1999 and 2000 (mainly Hemant doing solo acoustic gigs).

Additional Info we love feedback on our music: worldvu@hotmail.com

Location Bloomfield Hills, Michigan - USA

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