AUDIO REVIEWS

OM - THE INNER VOICE - ALISHA
HMV-EMI; Rs. 50
The singer, who made history with Made In India, the largest-selling Indi-pop album, has come up with Om... after a long of three years. Music lovers, who had been eagerly waiting for Alisha’s next album with great expectations, have a reason to rejoice since the pop diva has not let them down. It wouldn’t be fair to expect her to give a repeat of something like Made In India, but Alisha does come up with good and enjoyable music, what one would call quality stuff. And this album stands out from other Indian pop albums since there is a lot of experimenting with new sounds and styles. The album is divided into two categories. Side A is named The Rhythm Side and Side B is called The Soul Side. The Rhythm Side has racy, foot-tapping numbers, beginning with the title number Om, which has you hooked on to it instantly. Follows Let’s dance, a folksy dandiya number. But Laila, which comes next, is the one which sweeps you off your feet, leaving you asking for more. Composed by Lebanese Ragheb Alameh, this is undoubtedly the best song in the album, with its swaying Arabian beats and Alisha singing it with all the feeling. The ‘Babydoll’ is in her elements again in Eela ‘A’, an African style number. The Soul Side has slow, introspective numbers, three of which are composed by Shamim Ahmed. The lilting Tu jo mila and the meloncholic Tu hi meri zindagi tug at your heart-strings. The last song, Babul mora, is the one which catches your attention. Alisha, alongwith violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam, tries to sing this bidaai song written by Wajid Ali Shah and immortalised by K.L. Saigal. Though there can be no comparison between the traditional number and Alisha’s version (critics might be up in arms for Alisha daring to include this in her pop album), one must say that Alisha has tried her best and done a commendable job. This album is surely the one to go for, Alisha’s at her best after discovering her ‘inner voice’ here.

KASAM PYAR KI HAI TUJHKO
Sangeet; Rs. 35
Unmitigated romance in the form of nine numbers rendered by Udit Narayan and Sadhana Sargam. The album opens with Udit crooning ever so softly O sanam..., followed by the mischievous Gora gora badan.... The spirited banter of Is shahar mein.. and the entreaty to the dream-lover in Sapno mein.. are interesting. The tempo of the album suddenly slackens thereafter on Sadhana’s part, and on the flipside even Udit fails to rescue the decelerating tunes. The title number is also disappointingly slow and the melancholic strains of the duet Piya tere pyar bina do little to lift the gloominess. But Udit swings back in action endearingly with Lehera ke tum aaye, which clearly is the song of the album. Dripping with romance, if only the rest of the album were such, it would have been a treat to the Valentinos. Yogesh’s predictable lyrics leave little to imagination. Perhaps if composer Tapan Majumdar had been consistent, this album would have been a winner.

ROMANCE FOR SOMEONE IN LOVE
Plus Music; Rs. 45
Singer Raajkumar Bafna is surprisingly a good singer, easy on the ear and melodious in his rendition. In his debut album he writes a longish thank you note to all of his benefactors, and then takes the listener on a musical carousal celebrating romance. Of the eight numbers varying in composition and content, but not in theme (romance), the very first number Gin gin kar din is a pleasant folksy number reminiscent of pine-clad mountains, while the next, Dil ki baatein... advocates an easy-going philosophy of life. Tum ko dekh kar... is a catchy romantic number with OP Nayyaresque sound, Lo bolo has a zany refrain and Pyar ki zanjeer is mellifluous ghazal. Refreshing lyrics by Vinoo Mahendra and interesting score by Ravi Jule enhances the simple appeal of the album that introduces a singer with promise.

ASWASTHA WAARE
Focal Empire; Rs. 100
This Marathi pop album has a welcome breeziness and a lingering appeal to it. Rock, country, and pop, the album offers a novel experience to the listeners. The opening number Pashchimecha wara has an easy lilt to it with a compelling quality. The country sounds of Aajine sangitaleli are fascinating. Nandu Bhende is clearly in his pop element. Aaj kiti divasat on the flipside is a vibrant foot-tapper, but Manisha Pawar sounds a trifle jarring. Composer Milind Joshi could well have used a sweeter voice for this rapturous number. Nandu Bhende’s Ithe tithe is a balm to the sundered hearts, it’s hummable too. Of the two versions of the title song, Ravindra Sathe’s baritone scores over Mahalaxmi Iyer’s melody. The number in itself is startlingly haunting, and you just can’t have enough of it. Lyricist Shivpriya Surve and composer Milind Joshi display perfect harmony of verse and music through this maiden venture of theirs. This album is a sure treat. Though the price is steep, it is well worth the money spent. Softly, gently and then firmly, this windy album will blow out the cobwebs of ennui of rut and routine.

 

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

 

POP ALBUMS / INDIAN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Yeh Hai Prem - Milind Ingle Azaadi - Junoon Kismat - Sonu Nigam Om - Alisha Chinai Sifar - Lucky Ali Dance Collection - Various Gabbar Mix - Bali Brahmabhatt Boondein - Silk Route Koi Akela Kahan-Kavita Krishnamurthy Hindustani Gudia- Hema Serdesai	[Rajshri] [EMI] [Magnasound] [HMV] [Sony] [PolyGram] [PolyGram] [BMG Crescendo] [Plus] [Venus]

 

MUSIC ALBUMS / ENGLISH
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Titanic - Soundtrack Now-4 - Various Chart Busters '98 - Various Ray Of Light - Madonna Vuelve - Ricky Martin Let's Talk About Love - Celine Dion Savage Garden - Savage Garden Left Of The Middle - Natalie Imbruglia Jimmy Ray - Jimmy Ray Mega Mix Latino-Various	[Sony] [PolyGram] [Plus] [Warner] [Sony] [Sony] [Sony] [Crescendo] [Sony] [Plus]

 

UK TOP TEN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Duplicate Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya Kareeb Jeans Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai Dil To Pagal Hai Gharwali Baharwali Ghulam Dushman Zanjeer	[HMV] [T-Series] [Tips] [T-Series] [Tips] [HMV] [T-Series] [Tips] [HMV] [Merica]