Dolcy D’Cruz
During Holy Week, as one reflects on the deeper meaning of the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ, the message conveyed through readings and songs often resonates more deeply and powerfully. The song released by Plug Play Record on Palm Sunday Special, ‘Goodness of God + Mhojea Deva Tum Sorv Boro’ had the same response as the song went viral and has gained over 14,000 views in a few days. This cover of ‘Goodness of God’ mixed with ‘Mhojea Deva Tum Sorv Boro’ feels simple and full of emotion. It keeps a raw and natural sound, letting the beautiful vocals of Chelsea D’Silva and Vanessa Menezes express the emotions clearly. The live instruments and the smooth transition from English to Konkani gives the song a wider appeal. The video keeps the focus on the singers and the musicians. Executed within a week, the project reflects their spontaneous, community-driven spirit and commitment to authentic music.
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A moving cover of ‘Goodness of God’ by Bethel Music (originally sung by Jenn Johnson) and a devotional Konkani hymn ‘Mhojea Deva Tum Sorv Boro’, are presented under Plug Play Record, founded by Errol Andrade, Nashvin Cunha Gomes, Chelsea D’Silva, and Nahil Flores. The tracks feature performances by Vanessa Menezes, Lezio Fernandes, Nigel Quadros, and Denver Gracias. Recording took place across multiple studios, including Groovebox in Panaji, Audio Masters Goa, and Reuben Audio, with recording engineers Marino De Souza, Nashvin Cunha Gomes, Aurville Rodrigues, and Reuben Quadros overseeing the sessions. Audio mixing and mastering were handled by Nashvin Cunha Gomes. Cinematography was executed by Studio 12, led by Valjoe Pinto, Vivan Fernandes, and Santosh Ganthi, with assistance from Sanisha Shailesh Borkar. The project is directed by Edric George. Errol Andrade is a musician who is known for his work as a bassist and performer, and he has been part of bands like Crimson Tide.
Errol says, “Somehow, this song touched our hearts among the many we considered, especially because Konkani feels so close to home. We put the entire concept together within a week, I remember all of us coming together in the studio, and from there, everything just felt blessed. One special moment was when the video was screened at a parish before The Passion of the Christ, which deeply moved us. We added our own creative touches, including key changes, while keeping the overall feel simple and soulful.” Goa-based musician with over 17 years of experience in the industry, Nashwin is one of the driving forces behind Plug Play Record. “Through Plug Play Record, we wanted artists from different bands to collaborate and create music. While music remains our core, we are also planning to explore short films, podcasts, and other creative projects under the brand. During Holy Week, we brought together a group of musicians to record hymns. Vanessa, a trained vocal coach, featured as the lead vocalist. Lezio Fernandes from Ragas to Riches contributed on melodica and flute, Nigel Quadros, who freelances and performs with Omar De Loiola Pereira played the keyboards, and Denver Gracias, who plays with Errol in Crimson Tide, handled the bass. The entire project, from song selection to final output, was completed in less than a week and was a truly fulfilling experience. The response to our recent projects has been overwhelming, with listeners reaching out and sharing positive feedback.
Initially, we had selected a different song, but Errol strongly felt we should do a Konkani track, as people are connecting deeply with Konkani music today. It turned out to be the right decision, even though everything came together at the last minute. The vocalists delivered beautifully, and the final outcome truly reflected the spirit we set out to create. One of the lead singers in the song, Chelsea D’Silva says, “Working on this gospel music video project was a truly rewarding experience. Collaborating with such a talented group of musicians and singers brought a unique energy to the set, creating an environment where both the music and the message could flourish. The visual storytelling was spearheaded by Edric George and Valjoe Pinto, who, along with their dedicated team, translated the emotional depth of the songs into stunning visuals. Their ability to capture the heart of each track ensured that the final production was as visually compelling as it was spiritually uplifting. I am looking forward to many more of such collaborative projects with Plug Play Record in the future.” Vanessa Menezes says, “This medley was a beautiful blend of music, friendship, and faith. I had an amazing time recording alongside my friends at Plug, Play & Record and that sense of camaraderie really shines through in the song. Both Goodness of God and ‘Mhojea Deva Tu Sorv Boro’ have great meaning to me personally. They remind me of how good God has always been in my life, and all the credit truly goes to Him. It was very special to bring these two songs together one so familiar and one so close to my roots and create something that speaks of faith, gratitude and God’s goodness.”
