Rahul Dev Burman: Dhongee (1975)

Following on from last week's Burman soundtracks that weren't very good, here's one that is... with apologies for the delay to whoever it was I promised 'Dhongee' more than a year ago.

Two tracks highlight this score, 'Dil Chhina Chain Churaya' and 'Hai Re Hai Tera Ghunghta'. Both are drum/percussion based, very rhythmic (syncopated and tribal sounding respectively), giving them a more ethnic feel than a lot of R.D's output from the period (the stuff I tend to like anyway)... heavy grooves. With plenty of tasty details in the arrangements to flesh them out; excellent stuff indeed, worth grabbing. (Meri Bahena O Meri Bahena' and 'One, Two, Three, Go' are also nice).

I remember almost passing up on this LP when I first came across it; the cover was a bit tattered. I'm glad I reconsidered... especially since it hardly ever turns up anymore :-)

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Dil Chhina Chain Churaya
2. Kishore Kumar: Meri Bahena O Meri Bahena
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: One, Two, Three, Go
4. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Hai Re Hai Tera Ghunghta
5. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Amit Kumar: Woh Hai Ek Bahroopiya

Kalyanji Anandji: 5 Rifles (1973) / Naami Chor (1975)

A couple of Kalyanji Anandji EPs while I'm at it.

'5 Rifles' falls more or less into the same category as 'Hasina Maan Jaayegi' below... there are bouncy rock 'n' roll bits in 'Tera Husn Allah Allah', 'Pyar Ke Patang Ki' has a great intro; otherwise there's nothing much of interest going on.

'Naami Chor' is better... 'Kahte Hain Mujhko' is a cool Kishore Kumar number featuring an ace piano and whistling break (there's a Spanish trumpet in there as well) and Asha's 'Aap Se Mujhe Aap Se Pyar Ho Hi Gaya' has a nice mid-tempo beat, plenty of instrumental details as well as being a lovely choon.

Track listing, '5 Rifles':
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Jab Se Sarkar Ne
2. Kishore Kumar: Tera Husn Allah Allah
3. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Pyar Ke Patang Ki
4. Asha Bhosle: Malmal Men Dadan

Track listing, 'Naami Chor':
1. Kishore Kumar: Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja
2. Asha Bhosle: Aap Se Mujhe Aap Se Pyar Ho Hi Gaya
3. Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Aaye Hai Jo Mahfil Men - Qawwali

Kalyanji Anandji: Hasina Maan Jaayegi (1968)

'Hasina Maan Jaayegi'; a nice but not quite great Kalyanji Anandji score from the late 60s. There are several tracks on it that fall into the "sounds promising" category... containing intros or other bits that have me thinking "hmm, this could be good" but then subsequently fail to deliver.

'Dilbar Dilbar Kahate Kahate' is probably the best one... a fun and chirpy Hindi rock'n'roll number reminiscent of Shankar Jaikishan's contributions to the genre, though not as good as their best ones. 'Be Khudi Main Sanam' is alright as well; atmospheric and/yet upbeat. 'O Dilbar Janiye' has potential but is lacking in something... a strong melody maybe? And the multi-layered, 8 minute plus 'Suno Suno Kanyaon Ka Varnan' has loads going on, some but not all interesting.

Might be a sleeper though...

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Dilbar Dilbar Kahate Kahate
2. Manna Dey & Asha Bhosle: Mere Mehboob Mujhko
3. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Be Khudi Main Sanam
4. Mohd. Rafi: O Dilbar Janiye
5. Mohd. Rafi: Chale The Saath Milkar
6. Mohd. Rafi & Mahesh Kumar: Suno Suno Kanyaon Ka Varnan

Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 3

Compilation no. 3, another CD-R's worth of sounds culled from the last 30 or so posts. A fair amount of old school (pre-60s) selections this time, hence – in part – the b/w cover art. It's such an amazing still though (from 'Awara'); Nargis' pose, her expression... very sensuous.

Track listing:
1. Title Music (from The Burning Train)
2. Aa Jane Jaan (from Intaqam)
3. Jan Pahechan Ho (from Gumnaam)
4. Kya Yahi Pyar Hai (from Rocky)
5. Too Mera Chand (from Dillagi)
6. Been Music/Man Dole Mera Tan Dole (from Nagin)
7. Om Shanti Om (from Karz)
8. Aaj Ki Raat (from Anamika)
9. Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jane (from Toote Khilone)
10. Prabhuji Dedo Ek Suntaan (from Nasbandi)
11. Do Chamakti Aankhon Mein (from Detective)
12. Background Music (from Vijeta)
13. Baghon Mein Bahar Hai (from Aradhana)
14. Doston Se Pyar Kiya (from Shaan)
15. Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni (from Awara)

Sachin Dev Burman: Aradhana (1969)

Here's one I'm quite fond of. Burman Sr. this time - although I suspect Rahul Dev had a hand in 'Aradhana' [review]; the trademarks are there. Check out the cool shuffle of 'Roop Tera Mastana', the chirpy bounce of 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' and the groovy backbeat of 'Baghon Mein Bahar Hai' (my favourite). Add a lovely Lata Mangeshkar contribution in 'Chanda Hai Tu Mera Suraj Hai Tu' and you've got what amounts to an ace score.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Roop Tera Mastana
2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Gun Guna Rahe Hain Bhanvre
3. Kishore Kumar: Mere Sapnon Ki Rani
4. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Baghon Mein Bahar Hai
5. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Chanda Hai Tu Mera Suraj Hai Tu
7. S.D. Burman: Saphal Hogi Teri Aradhana

Rahul Dev Burman: Nauker (1979)

Oh dear... one of those rare things (on this blog anyway), the second bland RD Burman score in a row. Marginally better than 'Biwi-O-Biwi', maybe, but sans any tracks that are able to hold my attention... a million miles from great. If memory serves, I bought 'Nauker' quite early on, under the assumption that anything Burman from 1979 would be good, by default. Not so.

The Pancham backlash starts here then? Hardly; most of the time he was genius. And the next post will be better, I promise.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Pallu Latke
2. Asha Bhosle: Aaya Na Karo
3. Kishore Kumar: Chandni Re Jhoom
4. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & chorus: Dekheen Hazaron Mehfilen
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Chandni Re Jhoom

(PS. The MP3 for track 5 is incorrectly tagged; the artist singing is Lata, not Kishore. Duh. I trust you can re-tag it yourselves?)

Rahul Dev Burman: Biwi-O-Biwi (1981)

Back again. Not with a vengeance though, as 'Biwi-O-Biwi' is one of those rare things (on this blog anyway), a really dull RD Burman score. So no commentary; I'm just going to quickly leave it here, then move on to more exciting stuff (coming tomorrow).

And you can all decide for yourselves if you're going to take my word for it, or download the album anyway :-)

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Wagt Se Pahle
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Ek Nahin Do Nahin
3. Kishore Kumar: Gori Ho Kali Ho
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Meri Bulbul Yun Na Ho gul
5. Kishore Kumar: Sadiyon Se Duniya Men
6. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Paise Ka Khel nirala
7. Kishore Kumar: Socha Tha Kya Kya

A short hiatus

Just a quicky to let y'all know there won't be any posts for the next couple of weeks - loads of stuff to do and places to be coming up, thus not really giving me any time to rip records. But I will be back :-)

Bappi Lahiri: Toote Khilone (1977)

Another pre disco-era Bappi Lahiri offering, chock-full of good tracks: 'Maana Ho Tum' is a nice, slightly Morricone-tinged lounge number, 'Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jane" (best track, arguably) has a great Lalo Schifrin type intro and a whole bunch of cool instrumental details (including one reminiscent of Sun Ra's 'Space Is The Place' - how awesome is that?!?), 'Nanha Sa Panchhi' (the happy one) is nice and dreamy, 'Doob Raha Hai Mera Dil' is a lovely Lata Mangeshkar number (with a surprising bouncy middle break), and 'Bandham Kat Gaye' is moogs and assorted weirdness.

I'm not a huge Bappi fan so I've not listened to that many of his scores - but I wouldn't be at all surprised if 'Toote Khilone' is among his very best.


Track listing:
1. Bappi Lahiri: Maana Ho Tum (Happy)
2. Kishore Kumar: Nanha Sa Panchhi (Sad)
3. Amit Kumar & Sulakshana Pandit: Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jane
4. Yesudas: Maana Ho Tum (Sad)
5. Kishore Kumar: Nanha Sa Panchhi (Happy)
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Doob Raha Hai Mera Dil
7. Bappi Lahiri: Bandhan Kat Gaye

Sathyam: Cheppindi Chestaa (1978)

Track 1 off this soundtrack was included on the second 'Doob Doob O' Rama' compilation a few years back. It didn't really belong there; the series was subtitled 'Filmsongs from Bollywood', and as 'Cheppindi Chestaa' is a Telegu film, it's actually Tollywood.

Therefore the score shouldn't really be on this blog either... but I'm not that particular :-) And besides, 'China Daani Chirunavvulu' is great. Pretty much in the same tradition as contemporary Hindi songs, especially as done by RD Burman (and doesn't the cover have a 'Hum Kisise Kum Nahin' feel to it?); good fun.

None of the other tracks do anything for me though.

Track listing:
1. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vijayalakshmi Sarma & Chorus: China Daani Chirunavvulu
2. P. Susheela, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Chorus: Happy Birthday
3. P. Susheela, Vijayalakshmi Sarma & Chorus: Kanne Pillalam
4. P. Susheela & S.P. Balasubrahmanyam: Koti Vuhala
5. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Chorus: Okaanoka Kanne Chilaka
6. P. Susheela & Vijayalakshmi Sarma: Aadaala Paadaala

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Intaqam (1969)

Laxmikant Pyarelal's good songs, and there are a few, are not only awesome, they usually also sound uniquely their own; not at all like any of their contemporaries. Listen to 'Aa Jane Jaan', which while bearing all the hallmarks of your average psyched-up westernized Bollywood number (horror effects, organs, unusual percussion, jazzy grooves, crazy intermezzos, screams) really is something else. Lata Mangeshkar sounds amazing... one to rival 'Aaj Ki Raat' for atmosphere, this is a definite favourite of mine. Stunning!

Elsewhere on 'Intaqam'... 'Mehfil Soyee' is pretty cool; lively rock 'n' roll in a Shankar Jaikishan vein. And, how many songs do you know that end with a hiccup? 'Kaise Rahun Chup' does.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Jo Unki Tamanna
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Geet Tere Saaz Ka
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Kaise Rahun Chup
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Aa Jane Jaan
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Hum Tumhare Liye
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Mehfil Soyee

PS. Couldn't find an appropriate YouTube clip for 'Aa Jane Jaan'... seems to be a famous song though, as I did find this.

Kalyanji Anandji: Yaarron Ka Yaar (1978)

Another not really very good offering from the Shah brothers. As such, the soundtrack to 'Yaarron Ka Yaar' benefits from it's brevity... 'O Mere Lal Mujh Pe' (pretty) and 'O Dekho Mehfil Men' (bouncy) are semi-decent tracks, the rest is forgettable.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Main Yaarron Ka Hoon Yaar
2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Pahli Pahli Baar Mujh Ko
3. Asha Bhosle: O Mere Lal Mujh Pe
4. Asha Bhosle: O Dekho Mehfil Men
5. Manna Dey: Are O Meri Jaan

Kalyanji Anandji: Nasbandi (1977)

I once saw this hyped on eBay as a Kalyanji Anandji funk score. Instead of showing the album's front cover (which under the circumstances probably would have been off-putting), the seller opted for the back, featuring a picture of Amitabh Bachchan fronting a bunch of nasty looking bikers. Bids went sky high.

Problem is, that even though 'Nasbandi' comes from the pair's arguably funkiest (and best) period, it's not very good. Mostly dull songs, nothing special in terms of arrangement, not funky at all... I'm trying to find something worth highlighting... 'Prabhuji Dedo Ek Suntaan' and 'Kis Kamke Ye Math Mandir' are both quite nice and should warrant a listen or two, but they're hardly outstanding.

I can't speak for whoever won the auction; I would have been a bit peeved though.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Kahan Gayee Wo Teri Ahinsa
2. Nitin Mukesh & Amit Kumar: Kiski Chali Hai
3. Anuradha: Prabhuji Dedo Ek Suntaan
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Kis Kamke Ye Math Mandir
5. Mahendra Kapoor & Manna Dey: Kya Mil Gaya Sarkar
6. Anuradha & Usha Timothy: Humen To Maar Diya Kashti

Shankar Jaikishan: Awara (1951/1975)

Much as I enjoy Bollywood soundtracks, I don't often find myself wanting to see the films they're taken from. 'Awara' [review] [2] is an exception... looking at some of the YouTube clips, plus this one I found via Parties, Sarees and Melodies (where the album was posted some time ago), I'm really taken in by the art direction and b/w cinematography. So must buy, probably.

Anyway, the score: Shankar Jaikishan's second ever, and it's excellent. Some of it possessing a manic, tribal quality, like 'Title Music' and 'Naiya Teri Manjhdhar'; plenty of really lovely, atmospheric goings-on ('Hanste Bhi Rahe Rote Bhi Rahe', 'Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai' and 'Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Minh Phere'); an ace cabarat number in 'Ek Do Teen', sung by Shamshad Begum and performed by Cuckoo in the film... and the best saved for last, with the final two tracks constituting a miniature suite of sorts (soundtracking a dream sequence I think)... 'Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni' is stunning; orchestra in high drama mode, horror effects, pounding drums, a delicious melody... top notch Hindi exotica.

A splendid album. (Sorry about the noise on track 1; the rest is OK though.)

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Naiya Teri Manjhdhar
3. Shamshad Begum: Ek Do Teen
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jab Se Balam Ghar Aae
5. Mukesh: Hanste Bhi Rahe Rote Bhi Rahe
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai
7. Mukesh: Awaara Hoon
8. Lata Mangeshkar,& Mukesh: Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Minh Phere
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya
10. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni
11. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi

Rahul Dev Burman: Shaan (1980)

And more. Same composer, same year (same almost-impossible-to-scan-decently cover), similar sound. Much of what I said below goes for 'Shaan' [review] as well... a treasure chest of weird, wild and wonderful sounds (and mixtures thereof); a gold mine for DJs looking for samples. Choice cuts: 'Doston Se Pyar Kiya', a John Barry-esque disco stomper featuring Usha Uthup* in what would have been Shirley Bassey's role had this been a James Bond song; and 'Pyar Karnewale', an ace electro-driven Asha Bhosle number backed by wah wah guitars, echoey horns and loads more groovy details.

Not as consistent as 'Rocky', but still a very worthwhile soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Usha Uthup: Doston Se Pyar Kiya
2. Mohd. Rafi: Naam Abdul Hai Mera
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Mittua
4. Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Usha Mangeshkar: Janu Meri Jaan
5. Asha Bhosle: Pyar Karnewale
6. Mohd. Rafi, R.D. Burman & Chorus: Yamma Yamma
7. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar & Chorus: Dariya Mein Jahaz Chale

* Listening to the Usha Uthup track, I remembered I have an album of hers where she covers Western disco and pop hits of the late 70s, among them her famous take on 'Don't Stop Till You Get Enough' - I'm adding it as a bonus.

Rahul Dev Burman: Rocky (1980)

Disco-era Burman. As therefore can be expected, there are a million and one things going on in 'Rocky'... RD packs more sounds (and punch) into a single track than others manage during the course of an entire career.

'Aa Dekhen Jara' kicks it off with funky beats, wild percussion, sitars and a shameless steal from Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The Worlds'... a great galloping melody with all sorts of vocal details, moog stabs, horns... the works. 'Kya Yahi Pyar Hai' is more subdued, with a great intro, a lovely bossa-tinged rhythm and a few James Bond-isms thrown in; 'Dance Music' is fun, for Gopi Krishan's scat singing if nothing else; 'Hum Tumse Mile' is upbeat and poppy and has several sub-themes included... need I go on? Burman on top form, a wonderful album!

BTW, ever tried scanning an oxidized metalic embossed mirror sleeve? It's very difficult.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, R.D. Burman & Chorus: Aa Dekhen Jara
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Kya Yahi Pyar Hai
3. Gopi Krishan: Dance Music
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Hum Tumse Mile
5. Kishore Kumar: Aao Mere Yaro Aao
6. Asha Bhosle: Geet Sunoge Huzoor
7. Kishore Kumar: Doston Ko Salaam

Naushad: Mere Mehboob (1963)

Circumstance (and a chronology that only makes sense to me) seems to be dictating quite a few less than great posts at the moment... but as always I take solace in knowing that many enjoy these more than I; the rest of you will have to bare with me. (Burman's up next).

Quickly then: Even more Naushad (and I find myself wondering how come I have so many of his), 'Mere Mehboob' is a bit dull I think. None of the songs are very memorable ('Aye Husn Zara Jag' and 'Jane Man Ek Nazar Dekh Le' are OK) and there's nothing particularly interesting going on in terms of instrumentation or arrangements... so probably the least exciting of the scores I have of his.

Feel free to disagree :-)

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Mere Mehboob Tujhe
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Mere Mehboob Men Kya Nahin
3. Mohd. Rafi: Aye Husn Zara Jag
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Allah Bachaye Naujawanose
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mere Mehboob Tujhe
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Tere Pyar Men Dildar
7. Mohd. Rafi: Tum Se Izhare Hal
8. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Jane Man Ek Nazar Dekh Le
9. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Yad Men Teri

Naushad: Dillagi (1949/1978)

Another very old Naushad effort. 'Dillagi' is hardly in my top anything - I don't think the melodies are strong enough - but the general mood is quite nice. As are some of the instrumental details. Best track is the opening 'Too Mera Chand' with it's shuffling rhythm, cool piano bits and flute... sounding almost like a (vocal) precursor to the recurring theme on Kalyaniji Anandji's 'Dharmatma'. Well worth a listen.

Also; and while I'd never say a bad word about Lata or Asha, it is kind of refreshing with a female playback singer sounding decidedly different for a change. From what I can recall, this is the only soundtrack I have that features Suraiya. (In fact, she starred in the film as well).

Track listing:
1. Suraiya & Shyam: Too Mera Chand
2. Suraiya: Tera Khayal Dil Se
3. Suraiya: Duniya Kya Jane Mera
4. Mohd. Rafi: Is Duniya Men Ae Dil Walo
5. Suraiya: Char Din Ki Chandni
6. Suraiya: Murli Wale Murli Baja
7. Suraiya: Leke Dil Chupke Se
8. Suraiya & Shyam: Zalim Zamana Mujh Ko
9. Suraiya: Nirala Mohabbat Ka
10. Shamshad Begum, Umadevi & Chorus: Meri Pyari Patang
11. Mohd. Rafi: Tere Kooche Men

The Best Of Music Director Ravi (1984)

Other than 'Kaajal' (below), the only other Ravi soundtrack I own is an e.p. - which I vaguely recall being quite good but I'm going to wait a bit before posting. (I need to find it first... after last year's move there are still loads of things that aren't where they're supposed to be). Instead, here's a compilation of songs taken from other scores of his... some quite nice, some a bit dull, most of them low key, none that I find exceptionally exciting if truth be told. A few of them were probably hits though.

Regular services to follow.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Jab Liya Hath Men Hath (from Vachan, 1955)
2. Asha Bhosle: Kaise Kahun Main Baat (from Gehra Daag, 1963)
3. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizayen (from Aaj Aur Kal, 1963)
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Aap Ki Inayaten (from Vandana, 1975)
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Lo Aagai Unki Yaad (from Do Badan, 1965)
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Badle Badle Mere Sarkar (from Chaudhvin Ka Chand, 1960)
7. Mahendra Kapoor: Aap Aayen (from Gumrah, 1963)
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Ai Mere Dil-E-Nadan (from Tower House, 1962)
9. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Mujhe Pyar Ki Zindagi Denewale (from Pyaar Ka Saagar, 1961)
10. Mohd. Rafi: Husna Se Chand Bhi Sharmaya Hai (from Door Ki Awaz, 1964)
11. Lata Mangeshkar: Hazar Baten Kahe Zamana (from Ghatna, 1974)
12. Mohd. Rafi: Bhala Karne Wale (Ghar Sansar, 1958)
13. Lata Mangeshkar: Sab Kuchh Luta Ke (from Ek Saal, 1957)
14. Salma Agha: Faza Bhi Hai Jawan (from Nikaah, 1982)
15. Mohd. Rafi: Raze Dil Unse (from Apna Banake Dekho, 1962)

Ravi: Kaajal (1966)

One from Ravi, the guy who wrote 'Been Music' off 'Nagin'. The songs on 'Kaajal' aren't anywhere near as good though. In fact it's all a bit nondescript to my ears... a few pretty, atmospheric tunes, like 'Samjhi Thi Ke Yeh Ghar Mera Hai' and 'Mera Bhaiya', but nothing really memorable.


Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Tora Man Darpan
2. Mahendra Kapoor: Mudat Ki Tamnaon Ka Sila
3. Asha Bhosle: Samjhi Thi Ke Yeh Ghar Mera Hai
4. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Zulf Agar
5. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Zarasi Aur Pil Ado
6. Mohd. Rafi: Chhu Lene Do
7. Mahendra Kapoor: Aap Ke Pass
8. Asha Bhosle: Mera Bhaiya
9. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Agar Na Mile Tum
10. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Mehfil Men Teri
11. Asha Bhosle: Chhun Chhun Ghungaru Bole