Usha Khanna: Bambai Ka Maharaja (1980)

I've always been slightly partial to Usha Khanna, and while 1980 was hardly the best vintage for any Bollywood music director, I was hoping 'Bambai Ka Maharaja' might be of some worth. Which it is, partly at least.I don't find the first couple of songs particularly memorable, but things really pick up on the LP's second side. The title track is a sophisticated lounge funk number sung by Asha Bhosle, sounding like it could have been a James Bond theme and including several ace breaks. 'Too Jahan...

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Babla: Yesterday Once More (1982)

A few years ago I posted Laxmichand "Babla" Shah's 1984 soundtrack 'Meetha Zehar'. An excellent score, it did however omit one particular piece of music featured in the movie, a captivating instrumental prelude to the gorgeous song 'Aye Mere Dil Tu Rona Nahin'. I became a bit obsessed by it, and with the help of Shazam and some asking around I was eventually able to identify it as 'Babla's Theme'.It's the highlight of 1982's 'Yesterday Once More', a collection of mainly instrumental...

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Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 13

Another volume of highlights from two (or so) years' worth of soundtracks. To download or stream. And remember, there's plenty more where it came from, in the archive and on Mixcloud. Track listing: 1. Music (from Bond 303) 2. Sharab Nahin Hoon (from Adhikar) 3. Humdum Mere Maan Bhi Jao (from Mere Sanam) 4. Aye Mere Dil Tu Rona Nahin (from Meetha Zahar) 5. Ae Mohabbat Unse (from Bazar) 6. Meri Jaan (from Dahshat) 7. Dekh Lo Woh Ghata Chand Par (from Roop Tera Mastana) 8. Pantomime (from Shakespeare...

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S.D. Burman: Tyaag (1974)

'Tyaag' [review] is a charming Sachin Dev Burman score made at the tail end of his career. A playful cabaret track is what initially caught my attention, as is often the case. 'Abhi Tujhe Pyas Hai' is a zesty and flirtatious little number, perhaps not as elaborate as what his son was producing at the time, but great fun. The album has more going for it though, especially its trio of lovely ballads: The beautiful 'Kore Kagaz Pe Likhwale', the sweetly sedate 'Ham Tum Tum Ham', and the haunting,...

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Chitragupta: Hamara Adhikar (1971) / Sonik Omi: Dharma (1973)

'Hamara Adhikar' is another soundtrack where asking prices have so far prevented me from obtaining an LP copy; fortunately the score's highlight is featured in its full length on this EP. 'Bum Pam Bum Pam Ra Ra Ra' is a bouncy pop'n'roll tune with cool guitar licks (even a Dick Dale inspired bit) and a catchy chorus. The track has pedigree of sorts – it's essentially a straight lift of a similarly titled 1967 Greek tune by Aris San, and was later given an Arabic makeover by Bob Azzam....

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Sonik Omi: Mahua (1969)

This comparatively early Sonik Omi score took me slightly by surprise. While the duo's trajectory would in time see them embrace (and sometimes copy) the modern styles of especially RD Burman, 'Mahua' represents a much more traditional sound, one which I previously hadn't associated with them. And that could go either way. But the music here is of such quality that stylistic form becomes moot.The album's best tracks have a pleasantly melodic, really quite poppy feel to them, and lyrical content...

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Shankar Jaikishan: Jahan Pyar Miley (1970)

All credit to Mohd. Rafi, who recorded some superb songs for Shankar Jaikishan, but it's the female sung tracks that appeal to me on their 1970 score for 'Jahan Pyar Miley'. Of the two versions of the title tune 'Chale Ja Chale Ja' I prefer Suman Kalyanpur's - something about its groove. And I'm really taken by the energetic and lavishly orchestrated 'Nas Nas Men Agan'; the scene in the film looks gorgeous and I wish the clip was in better quality. The best and I believe most...

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Night In London (1967)

For reasons now forgotten it took me a long time to decide 'Night In London' would be a worthwhile soundtrack to acquire, and subsequently an even longer time to actually locate a copy. The cost of dithering; man, some of these original pressings are pricey. I had to make do with one of somewhat dubious origin. It's a wonderful score from Laxmikant Pyarelal though, from its exuberant, catchy title tune, through to the final rock'n'roll infused song to a dog (beginning with a bark) 'O Mere Yaar...

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Shamsunder: Bazar (1949/1979)

In a cool pop-art(ish) sleeve comes a score from long ago. The focus of MFT3F has seldom been music made before 1960; soundtracks from the 1940s are scarce here. Remissness perhaps – 'Bazar' is certainly a very enjoyable record. One imbued with that sweet tinge of nostalgia; lovely melodies, melancholy sounding many of them (obviously/unfortunately I don't know what they're singing about); beguiling arrangements. Highlights for me include Rafi's 'Shaheedo Tumko Mera Salam', Lata's 'Ae...

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Rahul Dev Burman: Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi / Lakhon Men Ek (1971)

The 'Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' LP is one of those very sought after soundtracks that tend to cost silly money when copies turn up. Too much for me anyway, so I've made do with a shortened EP. Luckily the score's highlight makes an appearance, Kishore Kumar's delightfully cool-yet-upbeat 'Ek Bottle Hoga'. Funky in a quirky kind of way, it's quintessential early 70s RD Burman and would have been a rare male inclusion to the Bollywood drunk song mixtape compiled a few years back. 'Sunoji Tum' and...

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Shankar Jaikishan: Shikar (1968)

As acquisitions become rarer, new posts become less frequent. But I do have a couple left in the box, starting with a late 60s Shankar Jaikishan score; they tend to be good value. And while 'Shikar' [review] might not be in my top anything of theirs, there's a nice (poppy) vibe running through it which makes for pleasant listening. 'Shikar Karne Ko Aaye' has a bright folky feel; even before finding the YouTube clip I could have guessed it was set in the countryside. Upbeat 'Hai Mere Pass...

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Kalyanji Anandji: Aamne Saamne (1967)

Kalyanji Anandji's 1960s output isn't generally as immediately attention-grabbing as that from the following decade, yet as has been demonstrated earlier on this blog, their pre-funk-era scores could at times be highly enjoyable affairs. 'Aamne Saamne' [review] [2] [3] is no exception. The highlights are on the LP's first side. Opener 'Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door The' has a top melody with a kind of elegant, hummable pop feel, while 'Nain Milakar Chain Churana'...

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Roop Tera Mastana (1971)

Quite a few vintage Bollywood soundtracks (like the ones on my want list) are becoming increasingly hard to find for less than silly money, so I was particularly pleased to get this nice copy of 'Roop Tera Mastana' from someone not out to fleece his customers. It's a great score too; a diverse collection of excellent songs on which Laxmikant Pyarelal's flair for dramatic arrangements is evident throughout. Lovely opener 'Akash Pe Do Tare' is soulful and soaring; 'Haseen Dildruba' sounds...

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Satyajit Ray: Shakespeare Wallah (1966)

'Shakespeare Wallah' [review] belongs on MFT3F mostly by association, as it technically isn't a product of Bollywood. Yet it makes sense to include it; the film is made and takes place in India, it features well known Hindi actors, and its beautiful music is composed by one of the country's biggest cinema legends. Not unlike 'Bombay Talkie', which coincidently came from the same producer-director team, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. Whereas that soundtrack was by a pair of MDs...

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Rahul Dev Burman: Raksha (1981)

Upbeat and lively, 'Raksha' is a soundtrack with essentially great sounding tracks that nonetheless I have, for the most part and for some reason, been struggling to get really excited about. It is arguably growing on me and may continue to do so over repeated listens, but the songs don't stick the way RD Burman's best work does. Curiously, it is one of very few scores not given a single mention in my go-to book on him and his career. (And speaking of books...) 'Naye Purane Saal Men' certainly...

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