Reviews

BULANDI
T-Series, Rs. 46
Viju Sha is back after Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan, composing his usual stuff of techno music. If there is any change, it’s only in his name. Notice that he has deleted the ‘H’ from Shah to make it Sha. But like Shakespeare said, what’s in a name? A tune with electronic gimmicks and folksy tune has to be Viju Shah’s, sorry Sha’s. Here, the music, which is more folksy than techno, is monotonous. Side A begins with an upbeat, danceable and catchy Hungama ho jaaye, which has a bit of Tridev music in it too. This number is the saving grace, with Sonu Nigam, Jaspinder Narula and Rakesh Pandit creating a hungama. But one can’t make out the difference between the two male singers since both sound so similar. Teri akhiyon mein is irritating and Kavita Krishnamurthy’s jabbering in it adds to the irritation. Mujhe hichki lagi is equally bad, and even the queer sounds in it, somewhat like the ones heard in Kisi disco mein jaayen, don’t help. Udit Narayan and Jaspinder try their best to infuse life into the garba type Bujho re bujho pyar ki paheli, yet the song doesn’t rise above the humdrum score.

Believe it or not, but the first two songs on Side B sound similar, and you can barely make out one from the other. Hum ne tum ko chun liya hai, compared to other songs, is better, though it definitely sounds inspired. Teri meri ik zind, the bhangra-rap number, which has music arranged by Sukhwinder Shinda, and which is sung by UK singer Jazzy B, doesn’t lift your spirits. Anand Bakshi’s lyrics are a letdown. If a change in his name has led to this unimaginative score, then Viju better stick to is earlier spelling, and come up with a score like Gupt.

AISI LAAGI LAGAN
PolyGram, Rs. 55
Here’s a bonanza for bhajan lovers and Anup Jalota fans. PolyGram has done a great job of compiling the Bhajan King’s best devotional songs, since, of late, he hasn’t really come up with a bhajan album which matches his past albums. Besides the all-time classic Aisi laagi lagan, you get to hear in this album other popular Jalota bhajans like Hari naam ka pyala, Radha ke bina Shyam aadha, Itna to karna Swami, Hey Govind raakho sharan, Woh kaala Bansuriwala, Rang de chunariya, Prabhuji tum chandan hum pani and Radha aisi bhai Shyam ki diwani. A collector’s item.

VJ’S MOST WANTED
PolyGram, Rs. 65
The album features MTV VJ’s favourite Hindi film numbers. Though one doubts whether some of these VJs have ever listened to any of the numbers they have listed, going by the poor knowledge they display on MTV about Hindi films and Hindi films songs. Anyway, the songs compiled here make for a good listening since they are the peppy, danceable kind. Cyrus Broacha’s favourites are R.D. Burman’s Mehbooba mehbooba and Yamma yamma; Nafisa Joseph lists Nazia Hassan’s Aap jaisa koi and the Jaanbaz number Pyar do pyar lo as her top songs; Amrita Arora likes Dil lena khel hai dildar ka and Wada karo from Aa Gale Lag Jaa; Maria Goreitti’s favourite is Pyar mein dil pe from Mahaan; Maliaka Arora lists Puchcho na yaar kya hua and Yaar bina chain kahan re as her hit numbers; Shenaz’s faves are the Yaarana number Sara zamaana haseenon ka deewana and Laila o Laila; Raageshwari lists another R.D. Burman number Jaana o meri jaana and Jahan teri yeh nazar hai (Kaalia) as her favourites; and Nikhil Chinnappa loves the Asha Bhosle number O Maria.

A PERFECT LOVE
BMG Crescendo, Rs. 125
A compilation album which has some of the best sentimental songs by the leading Western pop singers and groups. And some of the songs are classics rarely heard. There’s Whitney Houston’s Saving all my love for you, Annie Lennox’s A whiter shade of pale, Gary Barlow’s Love won’t wait, Trademark’s I’ll be there for you, Aqua’s Turn back time from the soundtrack of the film Sliding Doors, Lisa Stansfield’s All around the world, M People’s Just for you, Oasis’ Wonderwall, Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, Sweetbox’s Everything’s gonna be alright, Take That’s How deep is your love, Air Supply’s Without you, Eternal’s Angel of mine, Spandau Ballet’s True, Midge Ure’s Breathe and Elvis Presley’s Always on my kind. The album surely makes for a perfect listening.

MAA BAAP NE BHULSHO NAHIN (GUJARATI)
Studio Siddharth, Rs. 33
An audio consisting of the songs from the Gujarati film Maa Baap Ne Bhulsho Nahin, with music by Amarkumer Jadeja. Most of the tracks are emotionally moving, specially the title song which occurs twice, on Side A it has been rendered by Mahendra Kapoor and on Side B by Praful Dave. Both the singers have rendered the meaningful lines with feeling. There is also a racy number, Eke chhande beeje chhande, rendered by Meena Patel, and will appeal to the younger generation. More or less, the same can be said of Rudine rangili wala tari vansani sung by Vatsala Patil and Praful Dave. Included in the audio are other tracks like Mara ghagarano ulado by Praful Dave and Poornima, Odhi murang chundadi by Meena Patel, Dikari mayriyu chhodi chaali by Meena Patel and Praful Dave, Kaun halave limbdi by Deepali Shah and Deepak Joshi, and Dikro jeo videsh gayo by Praful Dave and Poornima. All the lyrics written by Natudan Barot, Mukesh Malwankar and Amar Nawab are meaningful. An audio which will please both the old and new generations.

NARAYAN DHUN
Ultra Music, Rs. 35
In this audio, the listener is offered the continuous chanting of the name of Lord Narayan. Narayan Narayan Narayan bolo Narayan Narayan Narayan goes the chant repeatedly in the voice of well-known singer and composer Rajkamal, with appropriate pitch variation. An album eminently suited for playing at religious functions and ceremonies.

NAKHWA RA UDHAAN AAYLAYAA RA (MARATHI)
Tips, Rs. 32
This is another of the Koli folk song cassette to come into the audio market. Of the eight tracks (four on each side), two are rendered by Uttara Kelkar. She has sung the title song Nakhwa ra udhaan aaylayaa ra with Girish Shinde, while the other Vaadlaan vaaara is a solo rendering. Both are catchy and eminently hummable so is Dholki waajav re rendered by Daya Babre. There is also a song revolving around liquors like brandy, whisky and pheni rendered by Girish Shinde and Daya Babre which may prove popular for its sheer novelty. Of the remaining four tracks, three are rendered solo by Ganesh Banda and the remaining, a duet, by Ganesh Banda and Daya Babre. Santosh Patil, Bhalchandra Gharat and Shrikant have written the lyrics, and they have been set to music by Santosh Patil. An audio which will find favour with lovers of Koli folk songs and music.

MURALI MADHUR GHANSHYAM
Ultra Series, Rs. 35
This is a bhajan album, the lyrics for which have been written by Pt. Kiran Mishra and Bharat Acharya, and set to music by Pradyumna Sharma with Sangeeta Gupta as arranger. They have all been rendered by Nitin Mukesh with feeling and devotional fervour. Of the eight tracks (four on each side), Hari sumiran mein Hari chintan mein, written by Bharat Acharya and bunjaaye mun Gokuldhaam, as well as Hriday mein mere dhadkan hai (both written by Pt. Kiran Mishra) deserve special mention. An audio whcih will find a place in a devotee’s collection of devotional albums.

MAHERCHI DIWALI (MARATHI)
Krunal, Rs. 35
With the festival of lights (Deepawali) round the corner, comes an album which consists of songs which hold an appeal for newly-married girls, who are apt to recall the memories of Diwali celebrations at the paternal house. The songs, with Prathama-Pratik as music arrangers, are laced with popular traditional folk tunes, a few of which have the typical Koli folk flavour also. Singer Chandrakala Daasari has suitably rendered the songs, the words of which are wistful in nature. All of them have been written by Manuel Gaikwad. Aali aali Deepawali aali, Bai mee jaail maherala, Diwali aali dhamaal jhaali, Jagawegli maherchi Diwali and an Ovi (traditional) hold special appeal for music lovers.

KALUBAICHA BHARALA DARBAR (MARATHI)
Classic, Rs. 35
An audio of devotional songs in the nature of aartis and pooja eulogising Goddess Amba, Goddess Durga and Kalubai. They are traditional in nature and have been rendered by three well-known singers Ravindra Sathe, Uttara Kelkar and Tyagraj Khadilkar. Another well-known name, that of Prabhakar Pandit, is associated with it as the music composer. The songs, ten in all, have been written by Rajan Khandekar. Jaagi ho saawale, Aai Kalubai tujsi paahile, Kalubaipa aamhi saare and Owalin aai tula have been rendered by Ravindra Sathe; Aarti karooya, Aaichya jatyat, Kaay maagu Kalubai and Vandin Ambabai are sung by Uttara Kelkar, and the remaining two, Mandharkshetri mahima gaaje and Aai Kalubai Durgamata, are by Tyagraj Khadilkar. An ideal audio not only for the devout but also all music lovers .

Reviewed by Salma Khatib And Pandit Shimpi