Rajeev Raja Combine unshackles the music of Human Bondage
It’s amazing how the past has become a present for the future. Take, for instance, Rajeev Raja Combine’s tribute to ’70s Bangalore-based iconic band Human Bondage at Mumbai’s Bluebop Café, on February 06, 2026.
In covering the R&B of music through the years – in this instance, Rock and Blues – the band, consisting of leader vocalist/flautist/harpist Rajeev Raja, Hitesh Dhutia (lead guitar), Adrian D’Souza (drums), and John ‘JD’ Thirumalai (bass), supported Human Bondage member Henry ‘Babu’ Joseph (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica) on the shows that travelled through Bangalore and Goa, and culminated in Mumbai.
Henry “Babu” Joseph (Human Bondage)
Commencing proceedings at the packed venue about 10pm, the Combine warmed the audience with an original composition that appropriately went by the title, “Funk Those Blues”. The title of the song precisely consisting of just those two genres with Rajeev providing the underlying musical theme across the mid-tempo melody playing the flute, interspersed with Hitesh’s guitar, followed by Rajeev switching gear by transitioning to harmonica. It was the perfect appetiser before Babu was invited onto the stage with Melbourne-based Paul Santiago (acoustic guitar), as they performed an amazing rendition of this writer’s favourite riff-driven song from the Rolling Stones repertoire, “Honky Tonk Women”. The blues kicked in immediately thereafter with John Mayall’s uptempo “Walking On Sunset” from 1968 that had featured Mick Taylor on guitar, who eventually went on to further acclaim with the Stones.
The obvious connects within the setlist continued as the band dwelled in “Layla” by Eric Clapton, who was also a one-time alumnus of Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Moving into “Call Me The Breeze” next, composer JJ Cale’s songs have been covered by Clapton (“After Midnight” and “Cocaine”) before both guitarists combined their talents on 2006’s brilliant ‘The Road To Escondido’ album. Among other selections featured in the one-hour first set also included more from the Stones (“Dead Flowers”), Beatles (“Come Together”) and a haunting cover of Jethro Tull’s take on Bach’s “Bourree” interspersed with “Locomotive Breath” with Rajeev, once again, excelling himself as a flautist.
Set two commenced just after 11.15pm with selections that included “I Shot The Sheriff” (Bob Marley), a guitar-based “Light My Fire” (Doors), and “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window” (Beatles). A welcome return to blues occurred thereafter through a rendition of the Ray Charles popularised “I Don’t Need No Doctor”, and Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago”, followed by a brief drum solo by Adrian before merging into Johnson’s other blues classic, “Crossroads”.
A version of Albert King’s “Born Under The Bad Sign” added to the blues collection, although a variety of genres were provided thereafter through an instrumental rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”, followed by Grateful Dead’s “Bertha” (performed as a tribute to the passing of original band guitarist Bob Weir on January 10, 2026), Creedance Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary”, with the set ending almost at 12.30am with the rocking standard, “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66”.
Rajeev Raja (flute)
It was also a pleasure listening to Rajeev chat in between songs during the two hour, 15-minutes show, describing Babu has his mentor. Babu’s dynamic stage presence along with his soulful vocal style were distinctive, a reputation built while Babu helped define his band’s musical identity through innovative interpretations of international repertoire, most of those selections since being placed under the “classic rock” mould. Currently based in Spain, it must have surely taken a lot of effort to ensure that this tribute, featuring Babu, came into fruition.
More credit to Rajeev Raja incorporating the flute into the arrangements as most of originals never did feature that instrument.
What was notable at this event though was there was more authentic blues on display than several seasons of the Mahindra Blues Festival which appears to have grown into a meeting place for socialites rather than content(ment). Certainly, a well-deserved accolade for Rajeev Raja Combine’s tribute to Human Bondage.
When’s the sequel, Rajeev?
