“My question is, why not?
“Never worry about failure, just about aiming too low,”
said Nivelli, an India native who has worked on such films as If
Looks Could Kill, Sarafina! and Yesterday, the first-ever Oscar
nominee from South Africa.
The band is currently collaborating with Nivelli on his forthcoming
project, Rainbow Raani, a genderbending comedy that will begin filming
in April in Guyana, Africa.
The titular character is a backup singer for The Rainbows, a Guyana
band looking to make it big in America -- a goal not unlike that
of the Fayetteville group, which will possibly change their name
to The Rainbows at Nivelli’s request.
In fact, for the film, the band is recording under the new moniker.
“This is a very big opportunity for us, not something a 24-year-old
sees every day,” said Arnab Banerjee, keyboardist and vocalist
for the group.
“It’s unimaginable.”
Adding mightily to the project’s prestige is the presence
of vocalist Slinger Francisco of Trinidad, known to legions of calypso
fans as The Mighty Sparrow.
During his 50-year career, which was jump-started with his 1956
single, Jean and Dinah, the singer has packed stadiums across the
globe.
The film is history in the making, Nivelli said, as the Mighty Sparrow
has never sung other people’s songs for a film before.
It will also feature vocals from the singer’s daughter, Karen
Francisco.
Nivelli worked with the Mighty Sparrow on an earlier film, The Caribbean
Fox, and had always wanted to repeat the experience, he said.
He tried for about six months to get in touch with the singer ...
“It’s easier to contact President Bush,” he said
-- to no avail.
He had given up when a dream about his beloved pet parakeet playing
with a sparrow prompted him to try once more.
“A divine force guided me to try to contact him one more time
... and everything gelled,” Nivelli said.
After hearing some of the music, the Mighty Sparrow was moved to
join the project.
“I don’t have a monopoly on talent,” he said.
“I got to listen to it, and I thought this is nice.
“These guys have sweet voices.
“Can you improve perfection?
“I see this as a smash hit.
“I hear him say stuff like that, and I still think I’m
dreaming,” Banerjee said.
The adventure began for the local band with an e-mail Banerjee received
several months ago announcing that Nivelli was in search of music
for his new film.
They sent in some songs, Nivelli liked what he heard, and they were
on a plane to New York the next day, Banerjee said.
After meeting with Nivelli to study the script and discuss how the
music should sound, the band returned to Fayetteville and spent
the next few months composing.
They were on a tight schedule because Nivelli wanted to begin recording
in December, Banerjee said.
They have completed seven songs with vocals, the last of which was
recorded Friday at local studio The Listen Laboratory.
The band will also compose the film’s background score.
In addition to Banerjee, the group includes keyboardist-percussionist
Abin Thomas, guitarist Andrew Blume and bassist Michael Allen.
They have played together for about five years and are hoping to
use the film as a stepping stone toward a music career, Banerjee
said.
It will be some time before Fayettevillians can catch the band live,
though.
“We’re focusing all our energies on completing this
project,” he said.
“The message, I guess, is for other bands in Arkansas to keep
trying, and something will come along.”
The Mighty Sparrow agreed, noting that he has something in common
with the up-and-coming musicians.
“On their first venture out, they hit the jackpot,”
he said.
“Just like me.”
Nivelli said he does not know when Rainbow Raani will be released,
but it will be Guyana’s official entrant for the Oscars.
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