Wednesday 30 July 2008

Rahul Dev Burman: Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980)

Alibaba

I remember the first time I saw mention of this soundtrack, it was being hyped to high heavens. Burman's maddest score, over the top Bollywood mayhem, the dope for beatheads and DJs, stuff to that effect. It could only have been on eBay.

But 'Alibaba Aur 40 Chor' (a Russian/Indian coproduction) is an enjoyable record, with several good songs... though I would hardly consider them his most memorable. 'Jadugra Jadu Kar Jayega' is a nice, catchy Kishore/Asha duet, 'Sare Shaher Men' is a lively offering from Lata and Asha, and you'll be singing along to the semi-anthemic 'Khatouba' (I love the way Ali Baba's hideout magically transforms itself into a Saturday Night Fever like disco in the film clip.) There's also an odd Morricone-goes-Balkan styled 'Title Music'.

The main reason why I will never part with this album though, is 'Music', one of RD's finest instrumentals. Imagine yourself alone, at night, in a secret robbers' cave, exploring it... dark, musty, mysterious; not knowing what dangers lie beyond the next cobwebbed corner... this is the music you'll be hearing. A fantastically weird and wonderful piece of ominous oriental electronica; stunning!

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Aa Ja Sar-E-Bazar
2. Music
3. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Khatouba
4. Title Music
5. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Jadugra Jadu Kar Jayega
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Qayamat
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Sare Shaher Men

26 comments:

  1. Ahhhhhhh!!!!
    Shukriya shukriya!
    Thanks a million bunch! =)

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  2. Just FAB. Thanks :-)

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  3. Oh yeah, one of my favorites! Got this one just for the music, and the album's worth it just for this. I actually got chills hearing it, and could totally picture bats flying at my head when I heard that flitting sound that's repeated throughout the middle part of the track.

    Thanks, PC!

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  4. Hello again. I wanted to invite you and your readers to my new social network that I have created. It's similar in appearance to myspace (minus all the hormone-crazed teenagers), but it is intended to serve as a hangout for artists, musicians, and music lovers. I have also included a forum category for music bloggers such as yourself to promote their blogs and share updates. If you are interested, here is the url:

    http://digitalmeltd0wn.ning.com

    I hope to see you there. Take care.

    Zer0_II

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  5. The film was just reviewed here:

    http://apnieastindiacompany.blogspot.com/2008/07/alibaba-aur-40-chor.html

    :-)

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  6. Thanks for posting, sounds scrumptuous!

    Any idea where a quality DVD of this - with english subs - could be had in the USA?

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  7. Absolutely !
    Here you go my friend =)

    http://store.nehaflix.com/alaur40chord.html

    Enjoy!

    Harshi

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  8. Hi,
    Hey aren't there any Rajesh Roshan's scores! He had a fantastic time in the late 70's and early 80's- Manpasand, Baaton Baaton Mein, Julie, Doosra Aadmi, Des Pardes, Mr. Natwarlal, Kaala Patthar, Yaarana, Khuddar, Kaamchor, to name a few!
    Sir, pls. find them for mortal souls like us.
    THANKS for all the effort!

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  9. I only have a few EPs with his name on it - I'll be posting those in the not too distant future.
    PC x

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  10. sorry dude to be an idiot but how do i download these gems from you? not obvious to me how to do that from your website.

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  11. Check the initial comment to every post :-)
    PC x

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  12. Mmmnnnh! Zshare seems to be going round and round when you try and DL it...

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  13. Hey PC,

    Thanks for all your albums !!!

    Do you have any more Shankar Jaikishan vinyls ?. Also, do you by any chance have "An Evening In Paris" (1967) composed by them ?.

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  14. Yup, there are more Shankar Jaikishans coming up - including Evening In Paris. Not entirely sure when though as it's not been ripped yet and I have quite a few other scores already lined up.
    PC x

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  15. Thanks PC, looking forward to those S-J albums and all the other ones !.

    Keep up the excellent work !!!.

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  16. Hey, fantastic work man!! thanks a ton!!
    I was looking for songs from the movie "Amar Prem". It would be great if u could upload them.

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  17. Awesome blog! Thanks a lot for the great numbers....always a pleasure to get here while surfing and find more gems. Do you have any more albums of RAVI or any of MADAN MOHAN?

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  18. Amar Prem - Haven't got it.
    Ravi/Madan Mohan - I think I might have one or two, coming later.
    PC x

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  19. Hi,

    I wanted to invite everyone to my new Rajesh Roshan Group. I know there are many fans of this composer out there. It would be nice if you join and share your views and insights about the composer and his work.

    If anyone is interested, the link is:

    http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rajesh_roshan/

    Regards

    PA

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  20. Thanks a million PC for ALL of your albums, greatly appreciated !!!!.

    Keep up the excellent work !!.

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  21. Sorry, the new link to the RR Group is:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rajeshroshanfans

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  22. Hello to all. I'm from Moscow. Alibaba is my favorite film.
    In my view the russian version of soundtrack is more attractive. Listen here:
    http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=hgOJiiUVsp0
    Tell me please where can I find it.
    Thanks.
    Write me please on: vadimtashkent@mail.ru

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  23. I hadn't seen that. Did they not use Burman's score on the Russian version then? I have no idea where you could find it.
    PC x

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