AUDIO REVIEWS

GHARWALI BAHARWALI
T-Series; Rs. 38
Anu Malik’s hip-hop music in this film is sure to click in a big way with the masses, what with its jhatkas and thumkas. But then that is exactly what a David Dhawan comedy demands, and Anu has given him the right kind of compositions that suit the subject. The album takes off with a bang with the first song, the title song Ek taraf hai gharwali, ek taraf baharwali, which has an infectious rhythm and a background sound which goes chik a chik. So what if it is similar to the background sound in the Duplicate number Mere mehboob, which also happens to be Anu’s baby. The next number, Ta ra ra ra sung by Kumar Sanu and the Southern singing sensation Anuradha Sriram, is the highlight of the album, with its catchy tune. Sriram’s sexy voice is just right for this raunchy number. Rub jaane bhai rub jaane is inspired by another Anu-song Main khiladi to anari, while Ghunghat mein chehra lists the ‘pluses’ and ‘minuses’ of a wife, which the new woman will surely object to. The lyrics are outrageous, but the music definitely enjoyable.

MAHA-YUDDH
Plus Music; Rs. 32
That Laxmikant-Pyarelal are completely out of synch with the present day trend becomes evident through this album. Their elaborate orchestration and outdated scores are sure to leave you yawning. The title song is too inane to be heard out even once. The romantic ditty, Tanak dhan dhani is such a slow and strained effort that if you didn’t pay heed to the lyrics you could easily mistake it for a tragic number. Rest of the songs are equally torturous. Mr Sudesh Bhosle, can’t you ever shake off the Bachchan baritone, it is rather jarring in the Ab maza aaye ga. Complete lack of element of novelty adds to the listener’s ennui. L-P have to shape up or ship out.

MYSTICAL MOODS (INSTRUMENTAL)
PolyGram; Rs. 35
Chintoo Singh compiles ten film hits in this intrumental album. Side A has Piya tu ab to aaja from Caravan, the evergreen RD hit Mehbooba from Sholay, the cabaret number Duniya mein from Apna Desh, Chura liya hai from Yaadon Ki Barat and Aaj main upar from Khamoshi. The flipside also has hit numbers from old and new films including Kuchch na kaho from 1942 - A Love Story. Passable fare sans any repeat listening value. Chintoo Singh hasn’t employed the latest technology available, that is for sure and has largely depended on acoustics.

PIYA NAHIN JAB GAON MEIN
PolyGram; Rs. 55
Chandan Dass, the ghazal gayak famed for his selection of meaningful lyrics and his mellifluous rendition is back with a nice, new album. Chandan Dass fans can rejoice for this album offers the usual Dass fare. Na jee bhar ke dekha... is specifically mentionworthy for its enduring appeal, and it will force you to revisit the ghazal over and again. You will find yourself humming many of the ghazals included in this album. Meaningful, soulful and haunting, Chandan Dass is very much in his elements still.

PYAR DA MUKADMA - JAZZY B
Venus; Rs. 30
A rather tiresome bhangra dance album which is mostly loud and unimaginative. The group claims to be a pioneer of bhangra music in North America. The music features a mix of traditional folk elements along with western elements such as rap and saxophone sounds. The best songs of the lot are perhaps the energetic Time and the slower Dil, but none of the other songs are worth mentioning since most of them sound alike. Further detracting from the overall quality is the heavy use of synthesiser to create many of the instrumental sounds, giving the album a somewhat amateur feel.

JIMMY RAY - JIMMY RAY
Sony; Rs. 100
Jimmy Ray is an energetic mix of rock ’n’ roll and pop. Practically every song is a pleasure to listen to, often managing to combine upbeat and mellow tones in a refreshing way. The introductory song, Are you Jimmy Ray? sets the tone for the rest of the album. Other highlights are Goin’ to Vegas and Way low. On the more romantic side are Look inside for love and Free at last. Overall there is a distinct ’60s feel to the album. At other times there are hints of early ‘Wham!’ sounds, when George Michael and Andrew were a duo. But there is enough of originality in this album to make it highly recommended, while Jimmy Ray’s voice is boyish and tuneful. A very good buy.

THE MICHAEL KAMEN SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Polygram; Rs. 95
This album is made up of movie themes and soundtrack extracts from films such as Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and Circle of Friends. There is nothing exceptional about this collection, but it makes for pleasant listening. Most of the tracks are rendered by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and a couple by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. The orchestration is by Michael Kamen. Among the nicer numbers are Maid Marian at the waterfall (Everything I do, I do it for you) and Dona Ana (Have you ever really loved a woman?) from the film Don Juan De Marco.

ALL SAINTS
PolyGram; Rs. 100
‘All Saints’, the four-girl band, has come up with an excellent album of lilting, innovative numbers, a mixture of pop, rock and rap. The music is mostly of a mellow, laid-back quality, rather than being energetic dance numbers. It kicks off to a great start with Never ever, a sensitively written number about a girl’s reflections on a broken relationship, starting with a slow rap. The voices of Nicole, Melanie, Natalie and Shaznay are mellow and harmonise well with each other. Other good numbers are I know where it’s at and Take the key. A very good buy.

 

FILM ALBUMS / HINDI
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya Dil To Pagal Hai Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai Duplicate Jeans Salaakhen Keemat Gharwali Baharwali Ghulam Dushman	[T-Series] [HMV] [Tips] [HMV] [T-Series] [T-Series] [Venus] [T-Series] [Tips] [HMV]

 

POP ALBUMS / INDIAN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Azaadi - Junoon Best Of Daler Mehndi-Daler Mehndi Dance Masti - Various Come Be My Lover- Stereo Nation Asha Once More - Asha Bhosle O Jaane Jaana- Kamaal Khan Salaam- Nusrat Fateh Ali Yaaron Sab Dua Karo - Ram Shankar Kismat - Sonu Nigam Dil Hona Chahida Jawan -Gurdas Mann	[EMI] [Magnasound] [Sony] [Plus] [PolyGram] [HMV] [HMV] [Zee Music] [Magnasound] [Venus]

 

MUSIC ALBUMS / ENGLISH
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Titanic - Soundtrack Let's Talk About Love - Celine Dion Ray Of Light - Madonna Aquarium -Aqua Vuelve - Ricky Martin Chart Busters '98 - Various The Full Monty - Soundtrack Yeild - Pearl Jam MTV Unplugged -Bryan Adams Time Out Of Mind - Bob Dylan	[Sony] [Sony] [Warner] [BMG-Crescendo] [Sony] [Plus] [BMG - Crescendo] [Sony] [PolyGram] [Sony]

 

UK TOP TEN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya Saat Rang Ke Sapne Dil To Pagal Hai Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai Duplicate Ishq Zor Bada Din Aflatoon Salaakhen	[T-Series] [T-Series] [HMV] [Tips] [HMV] [Baba] [Plus] [HMV] [T-Series] [T-Series]