AUDIO REVIEWS

JEANS
T-Series; Rs. 38
The release of A.R. Rahman’s music is eagerly awaited, raising expectations and curiosity. Well, the music of Jeans lives up to the reputation of the ace music director, who is known to be innovative. The compositions have the typical Rahman flavour, yet you discover something new in each number. And with Javed Akhtar as the lyricist, the six songs in this album are sheer delight. Akhtar puts across simple thoughts in simple words which click instantly. Truly, he is amazing, and for once you want to hear the songs for their lyrics. Take for instance the first number Ajooba. The song is a perfect ode to beauty (in this case Aishwarya Rai), and describes her as the eighth wonder of the world. The next number, Columbus chhutti hai aayi is about youngsters who, like Columbus, want to go in search of a Utopian world. According to the credits, Sonu Nigam sings the number, but he doesn’t sound his usual self at all. Rather he sounds like Rahman, pronouncing chhutti as chutti in typical South Indian style. Kehne ko dadi extolls the virtues of a grandma, who, as mentioned in the number, is like a friend. The song describes her as fun-loving, youthful, beautiful and even hints that she can call up Clinton and say ‘I love you’ to him. A tongue-in-cheek remark on the Clinton sex-scandal. Kehta hai mera dil, which sounds like Kehna hi kya from Bombay, is beautifully sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, while Hai rabba has a catchy rhythm and is a potential chartbuster. Like all of Rahman’s compositions, these too take time to grow on you, but once they do, you are sure to get hooked on to them.

THE GREATEST CHANNEL HITS
PolyGram; Rs. 55
As is obvious from the title, this album compiles the ‘greatest’ hit numbers which have been played on different channels. The 12 numbers featured maybe hits alright, but they certainly don’t qualify as the ‘greatest’ hits, barring a few. Side One begins with the folksy Mera laung gawacha from Bally Sagoo’s album Kinna Sohna, followed by Asha Bhosle’s O mere sona re from the remix album Rahul & I. The third number is yet another delightful hit Asha number Raat shabnami from the pop album Jaanam Samjha Karo. These two, alongwith Aditya Narayan’s version of Tu cheez badi hai mast mast from the album Yeh Kali Kali Aankhen are a bonus. On Side Two you have other numbers from the same albums featured on Side One. There’s Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Kinna sohna, Asha Bhosle’s Piya tu ab to aaja from Rahul & I, Nazia Hassan’s Aap jaisa koi, in a remixed version from the album by the same name, Aditya Narayan’s Yeh kaali kaali ankhen, and Lata Mangeshkar’s popular bhajan, Payoji maine Ram Ratan dhan payo from Ram Ratan Dhan Payo. With all this variety this sure makes for an interesting fare.

PYAR HUA HAI JABSE (REMIX BY TABUN)
T-Series; Rs. 30
Why should a bikini clad Pratibha Sinha be found sitting on the cover of a remixed cover version of Kishore Kumar hits? T-Series chaps do owe us an explanation for this sort of a senseless gimmickry. We are sure the woman’s rights organisations would have something to say about that too.

Kishore Kumar’s peppy and hummable hits have been re-sung by Kumar Sanu and Bela Sulakhe, and compiled into a neat album. Starting with Pyar hua hai jabse from Abhilasha, Dekha na hai re from Bombay To Goa to Pyar manga hai tumhise from College Girl and De de pyar de form Sharabi, the album does pack some foot-tappers. Sanu’s nasal twang sounds rather discordant and Bela just about serves her purpose in the duets. Tabun’s re-mixing only distorts the original melody.

28 SUPER NON-STOP REMIX
T-Series; Rs. 30
A re-mixed cover version of recent hits, the album compiled by T-Series is catchy and racy. Side A begins with Aflatoon aflatoon, goes on to Aankh mare, then Na na na re and other hits. The transition from one number to another has been done interestingly. There’s not a single dull moment in the album. Side B too has peppy numbers like Sundara Sundara, Shahar ki ladki, Ankhiyaan noo chain na aaye and Yaai re yaai re, to name a few. The music arrangement by Sajid-Wajid is good and does not jar in any place. Sudesh Bhosle, Babul Supriyo, Kavita Paudwal and Jojo among have rendered songs with a lot of gusto.

TERE HOTHON KO SALAM
PolyGram; Rs. 55
When ghazal nawaz Ashok Khosla and shayar Qateel Shifai bring out an album, you expect an auditory feast of the soft, soulful kind. Unfortunately, the album doesn’t live upto the expectations. It turns out to be disappointingly drab. Whether it is the thought-provoking Shayari sach bolti hai... or the title song, the music has a droning monotone. Lakh bachte phiro... on the flipside is rather inspired, yet it makes for good listening as the lyrics are meaningful. But with the very next ghazal, Rubaru woh hai... slips back to the sad, soulful sameness that is bound to leave you yawning. Khosla has a trained voice, but his music lacks the essential element of novelty. It’s a predictably boring album.

JAGRATA
T-Series; Rs. 30
A devotional album dedicated to Goddess Durga, Jagrata has Anuradha Paudwal singing non-stop popular bhajans. There’s Jaagde rehna, Mera nahin lagta jee, mere ghar aa Mata, Main tera dar nahin chhadna and Ho gaya bhai ho gaya to name a few. Composed by Surinder Kohli and written by Pt. Dalili, Jagir Gurdaspuri and Nandi Khanna, most of the songs are fast-paced. Jagrata is sure to go down well with Mata’s devotees.

WALT DISNEY’S STORYTELLER - CINDERELLA
Plus Music; Rs. 100
If a fairy-tale were to be told, no one could do it better than the Disneys. For instance, Cinderella’s story couldn’t have been narrated any better. Complete with the screaming step-mother, bawling step-sisters, squeaking mice and the genteel fairy godmother — this album is as much a treat for the tiny-tots as for their grown-up moms and pops. The drama is interspersed with delightful songs. They at Walt Disney sure know how to transport you to the realm of fairies. And fill your world with pure joy. Cinderella is a must have for those who care for fun and fantasy.

ALADDIN
Plus Music; Rs. 100
If you have missed watching Aladdin, don’t fret. Here’s a delightful album which both, youngsters and elders, will love listening to. Aladdin is a part of the six-cassette pack on Disney classics brought out by Plus Music. This original Walt Disney film has been reproduced alongwith dialogue and songs. Even if you have watched the film, the album makes for an interesting listening as it re-lives the magic. Aplty named the story-teller, Aladdin is a collector’s item.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

JAB PYAAR KISISE HOTA HAI
Tips; Rs. 45
Jatin-Lalit, who show sparks of brilliance once in a while, have come up with some enchanting music in this film. Seems like while composing music for this film, the music director duo were at their creative best. Of course one can catch glimpses from their past numbers in some compositions, but then that’s done to establish their style. The best thing about the album is that Lata Mangeshkar is the female singer in most of the songs, which gives it an edge. Side A begins with the already hit number O jaana na jaana. This very catchy duet, sung by Lata and Kumar Sanu, is the best in the album. Naturally it is repeated on side B. Lata sounds like a teenager experiencing first love. And with Lata as his partner, Sanu gives his best and sounds refreshing. Madhosh dil ki dhadkan is a lilting romantic number, while the next Is dil mein kya hai is peppy, with the Western classical music touch. On Side B, Pehli pehli baar comes across as different from the Jatin-Lalit mould, except for the sound of trumpet which the duo always use. Kumar Sanu renders the number with verve and doesn’t sound his usual self. Chal pyar karegi, the concluding number, is a typical ched-chaad song. Though the credit goes to Sonu Nigam and Lata Mangeshkar, the song is sung by Sonu and Alka Yagnik. To sum it up, if you want to experience the magic of melody, don’t miss out on this one.

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 Saat Rang Ke Sapne Keemat Salaakhen Bada Din Qila Jeans	[T-Series] [HMV] [Tips] [HMV] [T-Series] [Venus] [T-Series] [HMV] [BMG Crescendo] [T-Series]

 

POP ALBUMS / INDIAN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Azaadi - Junoon Best Of Daler Mehndi-Daler Mehndi Channel Hits - Various Salaam- Nusrat Fateh Ali Dance Masti - Various Yaaron Sab Dua Karo - Ram Shankar I Love You-Udit Narayan Humnasheen - Pankaj Udhas Mohabbat Kar Le - Shaimak Davar Gabbar Mix - Various	[EMI] [Magnasound] [PolyGram] [HMV] [Sony] [Zee Music] [Wings] [PolyGram] [PolyGram] [PolyGram]

 

MUSIC ALBUMS / ENGLISH
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Let's Talk About Love - Celine Dion Aquarium -Aqua Titanic - Soundtrack Maxi Dance - Various MTV Unplugged -Bryan Adams Grammy Nominees '98 - Various [V] Rewind - Various Yeild - Pearl Jam Time Out Of Mind - Bob Dylan Whigfield - Whigfield	[Sony] [BMG-Crescendo] [Sony] [Plus Music] [PolyGram] [BMG-Crescendo] [Sony] [Sony] [Sony] [HMV]

 

UK TOP TEN
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10	Dil To Pagal Hai Saat Rang Ke Sapne Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai Aflatoon Duplicate Ishq 2001 Bada Din Lal Badshah Salaakhen	[HMV] [T-Series] [Tips] [T-Series] [HMV] [Baba] [Time] [HMV] [Pen Audio] [T-Series]