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Reviews
PHIR BHI DIL HAI HINDUSTANI
Sony Music, Rs.
55
The team of Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Aziz Mirza and Jatin-Lalit have
always come up with hummable numbers (Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Yes Boss),
and needless to say the music of this film, which marks Shah Rukh and
Juhi’s debut as producers, too has catchy compositions. But the best
part of the album is Javed Akhtar’s lyrics. The lyricist is just too
good with his words in the title song, which captures the essence of an Indian.
Akhtar’s similies are just too apt, and bring a smile on your lips.
And Jatin-Lalit have composed it well, with a light feel, which makes it
instantly catchy. Udit Narayan’s singing enhances the appeal of the
song further, which undoubtedly is the higlight of the album. Another catchy
number comes next, the folksy Banke tera jogi, in which Sonu Nigam sounds
different but good. I am the best looks like it has been written just for
Shah Rukh, and the tune is inspired from Jatin-Lalit’s own Jo Jeeta...
song. Abhijeet renders it with aplomb. The number is repeated on Side B in
the voice of Jaspinder, but it doesn’t have the same effect as Abhijeet.
The thought-provoking Vande Mataram dwells on the societal ills.
On the flipside, Kuch to bata sounds like the Yaarana number Rabbi re ralli. Aur kya is slow and lilting, and so is Aao na aao na sung well by Jatin himself. An album to go for.
SIGNATURE COLLECTION - A.R. RAHMAN
Tips, Rs.
65
This collection is a guaranteed hit with Rahman fans and music lovers. It
features the wizkids’s recent hits from the Tips stable, where you get
a glimpse of his knowledge of Indian and Western classical, and jazz and
pop. You get to hear the recent hit Taal numbers Taal se taal mila, Ishq
bina, and Beat of passion, all of which, many would agree, are among
Rahman’s best compositions, with the kind of orchestration rarley heard
on the Indian music scene; the endearing Aawara bhanware from Sapnay, the
sizzling Tanha tanha and Hai Rama, and high-pitched Mangta hai kya from Rangeela,
the touching title song of Roja, the very ‘different’ Daud songs
- O bhavre and Zahreela pyar, and the fast-paced Muqabla song. A good
collection.
THE MILLENNIUM MIX
HMV, Rs. 50
The unforgettable songs of Dil To Pagal Hai, which were superbly composed
by Uttam Singh, have been remixed in this album. The concept behind remixing
is to package the much-played songs anew, and revive the sales. Come to think
of it, all the songs of Dil To Pagal Hai have a modern feel to it, and they
are danceable numbers, so remixing them doesn’t make much sense. Listen
to the album and you’ll agree. The remixing doesn’t enhance the
hit numbers in any way, rather it proves to be an unwanted intrusion. The
songs Chakdoom, Pyar kar, Are re are yeh kya hua, Le gayi, Bholi si soorat
and the title song make for a much better hearing in their original form,
and we are sure they are selling well even now.
PYASI NAZAR KO SALAAM
Sangeet, Rs. 35
The devotional qawwalis in this album have been set to tunes of hit film
songs. Yet this doesn’t hamper the devotional feeling, rather the filmi
tunes ensure that they reach out to masses. Though staunch devouts might
not agree. What matters is that qawwal Anwar Jaani sings it with feeling,
and conveys the devotional feelings rightly. The first qawwali Ibne Ali ki
pyasi nazar ko salaam is composed to the tune of Solah baras ki bali umar
ko salaam (Ek Duje Ke Liye), Ya Rasoolallah ya Habiballah has been composed
like Ae mere humsafar (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak), while Dil ka chain ya Hussain
has been composed like Tum mile dil khile from Criminal. The album serves
the dual purpose of entertaining and educating.
NOOR BHARA AAYA RAMZAN
Sangeet, Rs.
35
This album is for the Ramzan month, in which you have qawwalis sung yet again
by Anwar Jani. The six qawwalis here talk about the holy month and the importance
of fasting with the help of anecdotes. Noor bhara aaya Ramzan which has been
composed like Ishq bina from Taal, is a lengthy qawwali which captures the
essence of Ramzan well. The other qawwalis too preach goodness. Must for
the devouts.
Reviewed by Salma Khatib