Charanjit Singh: Instrumental Film-Tunes (1975)

2014 began with a collection of Charanjit Singh's reworkings of Bollywood movie hits, so why not end the year with another. Those of you familiar with these will know what to expect: a unique blend of garage-rock, lounge-pop and exotica, at times almost kitsch sounding (but in a deliciously good way) depending on his instrument of choice, all played by himself.

This one differs from the previous records featured in that it doesn't only contain RD Burman compositions. Additionally, the majority of them are from films I haven't posted the soundtracks from and thus new to me. But, just like before, everything on it sounds absolutely ace. I've heard Bollywood cover versions that sound really soulless; Charanjit Singh on the other hand seems to make everything he touches radiate with life. And joy.

See y'all next year!


Track listing:
1. Yeh Dosti - Transicord (Sholay)
2. O Manjhi Re - Claviolin (Khushboo)
3. Ek Main Aur Ek Too - Bass Guitar (Khel Khel Mein)
4. Aayega Aanewala - Transicord (Mahal)
5. Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi - Transicord & Claviolin (Chori Chori)
6. Ek Din Bik Jayega - Transicord & Claviolin (Dharam Karam)
7. Mehbooba Mehbooba - Transicord & Claviolin (Sholay)
8. Tumhen Yaad Hoga - Transicord & Claviolin (Satta Bazar)
9. Naina Barsen Rimjhim - Transicord & Claviolin (Woh Kaun Thi)
10. Tere Milne Se Pahle - Hawaiian Guitar (Ponga Pandit)

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Various: Cabaret Songs From Films (1976)

Before disco, there was of course the cabaret number. And considering how much these show-stopping songs have informed the whole Music From The Third Floor project I think it only appropriate that a compilation of some of the best ones should be the blog's 300th record posted.

This is one hell of a cool LP (in one hell of a hot sleeve). Ok, the tracks are edited so connoisseurs will want to search out full length versions, but any album containing 'Piya Too Ab To Aaja', 'Aa Jaan-E-Jaan', 'Mera Naam Hai Shabnam' and 'Aaj Ki Raat' (which if push comes to shove probably continues to be my favourite Bollywood song ever) in any form will inevitably be worthwhile, regardless. Add to that a couple of killer tunes from soundtracks still on my want list (come on guys, help me find 'em) and this collection has me beaming.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Main Ik Ladki Hoon (from Nirmaan)
2. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Piya Too Ab To Aaja (from Caravan)
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Thoda Se Thehro (from Victoria No. 203)
4. Asha Bhosle: Jaloon Main Jale Mera Dil (from Chhupa Rustam)
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Aa Jaan-E-Jaan (from Intaqam)
6. Asha Bhosle: Raat Akeli Hai (from Jewel Thief)
7. Asha Bhosle: Mera Naam Hai Shabnam (from Kati Patang)
8. Asha Bhosle: Hanhama Ho Gaya (from Anhonee)
9. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Woh Mere Pichhey Padi (from Ponga Pandit)
10. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Gulabi Chehra (from Madhosh)
11. Asha Bhosle: Reshmi Ujala Hai (from Sharmilee)
12. Asha Bhosle: Aaj Ki Raat (from Anamika)

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Various: Disco Hits From Hindi Films (1980)

Stumbling over this recently, I was drawn to the cover not only because of it's enticing imagery, but because it looked very familiar. And no wonder, as an almost identical one was used on Cultures of Soul's 'Bombay Disco' set from earlier this year.

'Disco Hits From Hindi Films' came out at the height of things and contains… well basically what is says on the box. Some of the tracks will be well known to those who have followed the blog for a while. 'Om Shanti Om' actually makes its third appearance, 'Chhodo Sanam' was featured only a few days ago, 'Jab Chaye' is as infectious as ever. Of the previously unposted stuff there's always room for some Usha Uthup in my life – 'Hari Om Hari' is cool even if it is essentially a Hindi version of Eruption's 'One Way Ticket'. With a bit of 'That's The Way I Like It' thrown in. But hey, loads of Bollywood disco has Western heritage... sometimes it just works.

Need music for the New Year's party? A quick introduction to Bollywood Disco? Or simply a concentrated fix? This one's for you then.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Om Shanti Om (from Karz)
2. Usha Uthup & Chorus: Hari Om Hari (from Pyara Dushman)
3. Anette & Kishore Kumar: Chhodo Sanam (from Kudrat)
4. Asha Bhosle: Jab Chaye (from Lootmaar)
5. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Yaar Ki Khabar Mil Gai (from Ram Balram)
6. Bappi Lahiri & Chorus: Yaari Hai (from Shiksha)

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Rahul Dev Burman: Kudrat (1980)

The last regular post before Christmas. RD Burman again, and a rather good one even though it's not among his most memorable, or at least not the most immediately accessible.

'Kudrat' [review] has grown on me a lot since I first got hold of it. Contrary to some of Burman's better know soundtracks this doesn't contain anything very elaborate or explosive, just really well-crafted songs. The piano on both parts of 'Sajti Hai Yun Hui Mehfil' and the strings on the first 'Hamen Tumse Pyar Kitna' are sumptuous. Parveen Sultana's singing on the second version of the latter is spellbinding... it's always nice to come across singers I haven't heard before. Chandrashekhar Gadgil is another new voice and the groove on 'Dukh Sukh Ki' is irresistibly hypnotic. (A version sung by Mohd. Rafi serves as the film's title music; for reasons unknown to me it doesn't feature on the LP.) Best of all is the very cool, almost laidback disco track 'Chhodo Sanam' which is the sort of thing that will make you want to dance, but slowly, nonchalantly, with your eyes closed.

An album of music to relax to then. I'm sure I'm not the only one who can use that in December. I'll be back before the new year with a couple of specials; in the meantime, happy holidays to all.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Toone O Rangeele
2. Anette & Kishore Kumar: Chhodo Sanam
3. Kishore Kumar: Hamen Tumse Pyar Kitna
4. Asha Bhosle: Sajti Hai Yun Hi Mehfil - Part I
5. Parveen Sultana: Hamen Tumse Pyar Kitna
6. Asha Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar & Chorus: Sawan Nahin Bhadon Nahin
7. Asha Bhosle: Sajti Hai Yun Hi Mehfil - Part II
8. Chandrashekhar Gadgil: Dukh Sukh Ki

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Rajesh Roshan: Julie (1975)

This one often turns up as a recommendation when Rajesh Roshan's work gets mentioned. And rightly so, as it's a very good record. Unlike many other mid-70s albums I've posted, there's nothing particularly out there or jazzy or funky within its grooves; 'Julie' is simply a collection of really nice, well crafted songs. That tends to work too.

In terms of arrangements and general tone I find the record has more in common with contemporary European soundtracks than anything else, especially on the stunning instrumental 'Julie Falls in Love' which almost sounds Italian, and on 'Dil Kya Kare'. Maybe it's just the whistling on the latter that gives me associations to Morricone's frequent collaborator Alessandro Alessandroni. Regardless, it's a lovely track. So are both 'Yeh Raaten' (where have I heard that bit starting at around 1:22 before? Bacharach?) and 'Bhool Gaye Sub Kuchh'. I've heard it said (by some) that Lata Mangeshkar was past it by this point in time; I think these songs are perfect for her.

The best known track is Preeti Sagar's sweet, poppy 'My Heart Is Beating', which just about manages to stay on the right side of saccharine. It's one of those rare Bollywood songs that are sung completely in English. Like 'Bobby' from a few years prior, the film is a teen love story exploring inter-faith/inter-caste relationships; the titular Julie is from an anglo-Indian family.

A beautiful, mellow soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Dil Kya Kare
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Yeh Raaten
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Bhool Gaye Sub Kuchh
4. Julie Falls In Love
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Bhool Gaye Sub Kuchh
6. Preeti Sagar: My Heart Is Beating
7. Asha Bhosle & Usha Mangeshkar: Sancha Naam Tera

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Sonik Omi: Woh Main Nahin (1974)

Damn it, this pressing is so wonky I don't know what's happened... inexplicably there are portions of the record that sound as if they've managed to include the pressing machine's unoiled, squeaky parts onto it. Annoying, because while 'Woh Main Nahin' may be a minor soundtrack, the songs still warrant decent reproduction. So for those able to listen past the noise...

To me, Sonik Omi have always come across like RD Burman copyists, a bit. The Latin inspired cabaret elements on 'Tujhe Ek Ladki Mile Jawan' and the lounge-jazz start and easy-pop feel to the rest of 'Sanam Tu Hi Hai Tu Hi Tu Hi Hai' could easily be mistaken for something he could have done during the same period. But even if Sonik Omi's arrangements aren't particular original, they still often sound good, and the melodies are nice. At the end of the day that's what matters.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Lehnga Khisak Jayega
2. Asha Bhosle: Tujhe Ek Ladki Mile Jawan
3. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Sanam Tu Hi Hai Tu Hi Tu Hi Hai
4. Asha Bhosle: Cheecho Cheech Ganeriyan
5. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Chayeh Purush Ho Chahey Nari

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Rahul Dev Burman: Mela (1971)

Early 1970s RD Burman soundtracks tend to be easy to like, but I must admit it has taking longer than expected to get properly into 'Mela'. It's a fairly pleasant one to listen to, yet there seems to be something lacking; hooks maybe, both melody-wise and in terms of the arrangements. Songs such as 'Dekho Re Hua', 'Kya Soch Raha Re' and 'Meri Sakhiyo Bolo' are all quite good (and each have their moments of nice instrumental details); they're just not great. The closest to that is probably the droney, psychedelic sounding 'Rut Hai Milan Ki'. The thing is, that after playing this album I don't feel any particular need to do so again, and that's always a worrying sign. Maybe it'll grow on me more if I persevere? Or maybe I'm just so used to Burman being almost consistantly brilliant that anything less that breathtaking from him throws me.

Track listing:
1. Manna Dey: Dekho Re Hua
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Kya Soch Raha Re
3. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Meri Sakhiyo Bolo
4. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Rut Hai Milan Ki
5. Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Gori Ke Haath Men
6. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Ek Bar Rakh De Qadam Zara Jhoom Ke

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Illaya Raja: Do Dil Deewane (1981)

Ilaya Raja, or Ilaiyaraaja as he's more commonly known, is a South Indian composer I haven't featured much on this blog due to him working predominantly in the Tamil film industry, aka Kollywood. He was however responsible for a few Hindi soundtracks, among them 'Sadma' which included the stunning 'O Babuaa Yeh Mahua'; after being posted here it was sampled by Danish DJ collective Den Sorte Skole for their 'Lektion III' project.

Like 'Sadma', 'Do Dil Deewane' was a Hindi version of an original Tamil movie. And like 'Sadma', it boasts an excellent soundtrack, consisting of some delightfully sunshiny pop gems, sounding if not totally unique, at least different to almost anything I've heard from Bollywood music directors. All sung (or co-sung) by S. Janaki who's recorded somewhere in the vicinity of 15000 songs.

There's an alluring happy-sad melodicism to them, like something out of the classic songwriting school of masters such as Burt Bacharach. You can hear it on 'Dilbar Aa' ('Germaniyin Senthen'), and perhaps mixed with a bit of Abba on 'Yeh Jahan Tum' ('Azhagu Aayiram'). They're both fantastic tracks, neither of which I tire of listening to these days. The rest aren't half bad either; 'Aaj Khoye Se Ho Kyoon Tum' ('Naan Undhan Thaayaaga') and 'Kitne Rangeen Hai' ('Azhagiya') both have a curious country & western feel (if you can imagine country & western augmented by 80s synths) and 'Hai Pyar Ka Sangam' ('Dheiveega Raagam') is enticingly driven by a quirky stop-start rhythm.

None of them seem to be available on YouTube so I've linked to the Tamil originals (parenthesized) which are. And a word on the sound quality: It's kind of horrible; wobbly like a warped cassette tape – but you could argue that that only lends to its charm.

Regardless, a highly recommended soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. S. Janaki & Chorus: Hai Pyar Ka Sangam
2. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki: Dilbar Aa
3. S. Janaki: Yeh Jahan Tum
4. S. Janaki: Aaj Khoye Se Ho Kyoon Tum
5. S. Janaki: Kitne Rangeen Hai

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Bappi Lahiri: Wardat (1980)

Those of you who have heard Bappi Lahiri's 'Surakksha' soundtrack will likely have an inkling as to what to expect from its sequel. The 1979 original represented Bappi's first wholehearted foray into the disco genre, and a year later he had already pretty much turned it all up to eleven.

Bombastic, over the top, anthemic, camp, bonkers; I've long since run out of adjectives to describe his musical antics. And the visuals often match; check out 'Dekha Hai Maine Tujhko Palatke', 'Din Ho Ya Raat' or 'Na Mai Hun Tera' (my favourite) if you have no idea what I'm on about.

Derivative is another word you see a lot in connection with Bappi. On 'Wardat' [review] [2] he even nicks from his (UK based) compatriot Biddu; after an intro that brings Ennio Morricone and Edda Dell'Orso to mind, 'Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai' sounds very much like something Nazia Hasan could have sung on 'Qurbani'.

So do I like it? Well it is kind of fun, but not as good as its predecessor. Still, you'll probably want to have it.

Track listing:
1. Bappi Lahiri & Chorus: Dekha Hai Maine Tujhko Palatke
2. Mohd. Rafi & Usha Mangeshkar: Sara Jahan Chhod Ke Tujhe
3. Usha Uthup & Bappi Lahiri: Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai
4. Bappi Lahiri, Annette & Chorus: Din Ho Ya Raat
5. Shailendra Singh & Chorus: Jalim Duniya Hum Pey
6. Usha Uthup & Bappi Lahiri: Na Mai Hun Tera

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N. Datta: Chehre Pe Chehra (1980)

This one I picked up on a whim, more or less. I had no prior knowledge of 'Chehre Pe Chehra' [review], and I had only noticed music director N. Datta (aka N. Dutta, full name Datta Naik) on a Mohd. Rafi compilation before. I guess I wanted to hear someone new for a change. It's nice when impulse purchases work out, as this isn't a bad soundtrack at all.

The first couple of tracks are slightly underwhelming (although I find the spaghetti westernish intro to 'Yeh Raat Nek Raat Hai' rather appealing) but from there on it starts getting good. I like the two cabaret/item numbers 'Le Jaam Le Jaam' and 'Main Hoon Pari'. The former seems to be played out in a cantina or saloon of some sort and has a distinct Latin flavour, while the latter is more akin to RD Burman's stuff with it's beat-heavy and effect-filled arrangement. And speaking of Burman, 'Aa Kuchh Karen' which is arguably my favourite track on the record has an intro very reminiscent of the fantastic dance music from 'Mukti'; that was bound to entice me.

You'll notice the cover also credits Salil Chowdhury. I'm guessing he was resposible for the incidental music accompanying the film's action and as such had nothing to do with the songs, but I'm not entirely sure. I don't think I've ever come across an extra credit for background music on a Bollywood soundtrack album before.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Sulakshana Pandit: Aaj Socha Hai
2. Manna Dey & Chorus: Yeh Raat Nek Raat Hai
3. Asha Bhosle: Le Jaam Le Jaam
4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Main Hoon Pari
5. Sulakshana Pandit: Tum Se Kahna Hai
6. Dilraj Kaur & Chorus: Aa Kuchh Karen

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Madan Mohan: Bhai Bhai (1956/1980)

The Madan Mohan soundtracks I've featured so far have all been from the 1970s, yet his career did in fact extend back several decades. 'Bhai Bhai' is from 1956 and I was primarily attracted to it because of the lovely, lively 'Ye Dil Muje' which appeared (in shortened form) as 'Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De' on the Geeta Dutt compilation posted a few months back. She's credited under her maiden name on this issue of the soundtrack (one with a different cover had been released earlier); incorrectly I believe, as she had already been married to Guru Dutt a few years when it was recorded.

All the other songs on the album feature Lata Mangeshkar, Mohan's female singer of choice. It's a very lively score for the most part. 'Mera Nam Abdulrehman', 'Duniya Mein' and 'Sharabi Ja' are infectious and danceable and tear along at nearly frenzied tempos; as such the slower paced 'Ghar Mera' is an almost welcome respite. But as with many Bollywood soundtracks of the era, everything has that compelling, almost mysterious, old-wordly aura about it I find really appealing.

Incidentally, there's also an Ollywood film with the same title and from the same year as this one. I have to admit that led to some confusion while I was researching this post.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Mera Nam Abdulrehman
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Duniya Mein
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Raja Jane Jani
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Sharabi Ja
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Ghar Mera
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Chotta
7. Geetha Roy: Ye Dil Muje
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Teri
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Kudar Jane Na

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Madan Mohan: Mahraja (1971)

You know how when you once in a rare while hear a song that's so good you're convinced it's the best thing ever made, and never mind that it's probably not really; that feeling of exhilaration and amazement, of needing to play it again and again and making you want to tell everyone you know to check it out? That's what happened the first time I heard 'Kitni Haseen Hai Meri Pyar Ki Nazar'. Many will be familiar with Bollywood Funk; well this is Bollywood Punk and it is sensational. Raw, dirty, raunchy, sweaty; the surf rock intro, Asha sounding (and Helen looking) ooh so seductive, the Mariachi horns, the echo-drenched chorus, the gritty and distorted guitar sound; sparks flying! Absolutely amazing stuff.

And while there's nothing that can measure up to such an opening track, 'Mahraja' contains more songs that would easily highlight other soundtrack albums. 'Tum Se Bichhar Kar Chain Kahan Hum Payen Gay' is sumptuous orchestral pop sung by Lata, 'Main Ne Pee Kee Mera Dil Kiya' is an upbeat, country-tinged drunk-song (Helen again looking irresistible in the film clip), and the traditional sounding 'Pee Kee Najar Gori Tanse Lipat Gayee' exudes a sense of wild urgency that inevitably draws you in. And in between there's an instrumental that sounds like old-school burlesque striptease music.

You might need a shower after listening to this one.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Kitni Haseen Hai Meri Pyar Ki Nazar
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Tum Se Bichhar Kar Chain Kahan Hum Payen Gay
3. Dance Music
4. Asha Bhosle: Pee Kee Najar Gori Tanse Lipat Gayee
5. Asha Bhosle: Main Ne Pee Kee Mera Dil Kiya
6. Manna Dey: Raaste Ka Maal Saste Men

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Sapan Jagmohan: Videsh (1981)

Sapan Jagmohan's greatest moment was in all probability 1973's superb 'Call Girl'. The composing duo was responsible for a number of additional scores though, of which 'Videsh' is quite enjoyable if not entirely spectacular.

It's fairly funky, much of it… opening track 'Meri Aakhon Mein Ek Sapna Hai' has been featured on compilations and contains an irresistible guitar intro (why can't Bollywood actors playing guitar in films ever even try to make it look believable?) and some interesting breaks, while 'Come On Baby Dil Kisko Degi' and its English language counterpart 'Don't Burn Me' are supremely cheesy (and catchy) dancefloor stompers. Is that The Osmonds' 'Crazy Horses' they've borrowed the whinnying sound at the end of the verses from?

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Pankaj Mittra: Meri Aakhon Mein Ek Sapna Hai
2. Hari Om Sharan, Jaspal Singh, Diltaj Kaur & Chorus: Tera Naam Pyara
3. Ajit Singh & Chorus: Come On Baby Dil Kisko Degi
4. Mohd. Rafi: Londonwali Se
5. Ajit Singh & Chorus: Don't Burn Me

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Satyam: Khooni Kaun (1975) / Vijaysingh: Dimple (1975)

Chellapilla Satyam, aka Sathyam, was a Telugu music director whom I featured a long time ago when posting a – for this blog – rare Tollywood score. 'Khooni Kaun' is one of his considerably fewer Bollywood efforts, but a nice one; cheerful sounding and fun. Like many of his contemporaries, Satyam took cues from RD Burman – you can plainly hear Pancham's influence on 'Yeh Beta' with its upbeat sunshine pop sensibilities and in the wild horns, choppy organ, relentless percussion and general funkiness of 'Aa Lag Ja'. They're both cracking tunes.



Vijaysingh's 'Dimple' offers more of the same. 'Jain Waadiyan Dilnasheen' is a sweet and lovely, almost loungy ballad sung by seldom featured Chandrani Mukherjee, 'Nadaan Hoon Sharmilee Hoon' is a summery 60s-pop-sounding duet, and 'Aao Sikhadoon Tumhen Khat Likhna' is a great fast-paced and slightly Latin-tinged number that's only let down by the non-inclusion of the harmonica intro heard in the film. 

Judging by the scarcity of clips and other info to be found online, neither of these films appear to be very well know. Does anyone know if LP versions of the soundtracks were ever released?

Track listing, 'Khooni Kaun':
1. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Beta
2. Mahendra Kapoor: Yoon Tere
3. Asha Bhosle: Aaja Re
4. Asha Bhosle: Aa Lag Ja

Track listing, 'Dimple'
1. Chandrani Mukherjee: Jain Waadiyan Dilnasheen
2. Asha Bhosle & Vijaysingh: Nadaan Hoon Sharmilee Hoon
3. Tirath: Na Ankhen Band Kar Saqi
4. Mohd. Rafi & Purnima: Aao Sikhadoon Tumhen Khat Likhna

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Sonik Omi: Shahi Lutera (1975) / Basu Manohari: Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1975)

Some EPs coming up, this and the next post. These don't have a lot in common other than they're all from 1975, a fairly good year for Bollywood soundracks, in general. That said, Sonik Omi's 'Shahi Lutera' leaves me surprisingly cold and I'm not sure why I at one point convinced myself I needed it. Bits of 'Gore Chehre Pe' has a sort of cool mystic vibe and 'Dil Se Dil Takra Lo' is moderately poppy, but both they and the two other tracks are really rather underwhelming, unfortunately.



'Sabse Bada Rupaiya' by Basu Manohari (another previously unposted team) is better. The title track especially is a cool organ and guitar driven souljazz-tinged number, again somewhat indebted to RD Burman stylistically, but that's not unnatural considering both Basu Chakraborty and Manohari Singh had worked as assistants for him. I'm not a huge fan of actor/singer Mehmood but I like this song, it's catchy and it's fun. 'Bahi Jaiyo Na' is quite pretty as well.

Track listing, 'Shahi Lutera':
1. Asha Bhosle & Omi: Gore Chehre Pe
2. Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey: Gar Ushq Men Aisa
3. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Omi: Dil Se Dil Takra Lo
4. Asha Bhosle: Tikhi Tikhi Nazron Se

Track listing, 'Sabse Bada Rupaiya'
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Wada Karo Janam
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Dariya Kinare
3. Mehmood & Chorus: Sabse Bada Rupaiya
4. Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar & Chorus: Bahi Jaiyo Na

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Nitin Mangesh: Khanjar (1980)

'Khanjar' is the last of what would appear to be only four films scored by Nitin Mangesh (1972's 'Samaanta' being the first), and to be honest it might not be quite as good as the other two I've posted. There are things to commend it though; the pleasant 'Tum Meri Zindagi Ho' (Aarti Mukherjee has a nice voice by the way), the atmospheric 'Zinda Hoon Magar Zinda Hoon Nahin', and best of all the upbeat and kind of sexy 'Honolulu Se Aai Hoon Pretty Mera Naam'. So it would be unwise not to check the album out at all.

I'm not sure why the Nitin Mangesh partnership wasn't more prolific; perhaps the films they scored weren't sufficiently successful. Oddly, Mangesh turned up a few years later as co-writer of a single by minor UK pop star Jona Lewie.

Track listing:
1. Jaspal Singh & Aarti Mukherjee: Tum Meri Zindagi Ho
2. Usha Timothy: Honolulu Se Aai Hoon Pretty Mera Naam
3. Aarti Mukherjee: Tum Meri Zindagi Ho
4. Aziz Nazan & Chorus: Lo Ham Aa Gaye Hain
5. Aziz Nazan & Chorus: Teri Nigahen Khanjat Teri Bahen Khanjar
6. Aarti Mukherjee: Zinda Hoon Magar Zinda Hoon Nahin
7. Mahmood & Anjali: Dekho Mera Yeh Jantar Mantar

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Nitin Mangesh: Qaid (1975)

Nitin Mangesh is another music director team it's tempting to compare to RD Burman. His influence was apparent on the previous soundtrack I posted by them, and you can hear similarities a few places on 'Qaid' as well. Indebtedness to others is always treading a fine line; lack of originality, perceived or real, will obviously lend itself to criticism. I never really mind though, as long the resulting songs sound good, and I reckon 'Yeh To Zindagi Hai' and 'Yeh Dil De De De' do. A bit jazzy and a bit rockin' respectively, both are energetic, hook-laden and groovily arranged; very much products of that era. I like 'em.

Of the rest, the Pop Goes the Weasel-themed 'Kali Raat Aai' is the kind of song one finds either fun or annoying,  'Diwana Hoon Pyar Ke' has an infectious beat if not the most memorable of melodies, and the 'Title Music' has a few nice and cool and probably very sampleable breaks.

Most tracks are preceeded by a few minutes of dialogue.

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Yahan Kaun Hai Asli
3. Kishore Kumar, Nitin & Chorus: Yeh To Zindagi Hai
4. Anjali Ram & Amit Kumar: Yeh Dil De De De
5. Anjali Ram & Chorus: Kali Raat Aai
6. Usha Mangeshkar & Mahmood: Karale Saaf Karale
7. Kishore Kumar: Diwana Hoon Pyar Ka
8. Asha Bhosle & Nitin: Beliya Alle Beliya

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Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 9

Cor blimey, another one of these. For the uninitiated: Top-notch selections from the last 30 posts or so, as chosen by me. 75 minutes of Bollywood soundtrack gold, without any filler. Let the festivities begin.

Track listing:
1. Aaj Mera Dil (from Chor-Police)
2. Yeh Kaun Hansa (from Mere Sajana)
3. Husn-E-Baharan Tauba (from Bombay By Nite)
4. Title Music (from Parmatma)
5. Naach Ae Dil (from Nadaan)
6. Let's Dance For The Great Guy Bruce Lee (from Morchha)
7. Jab Chaye (from Lootmaar)
8. Dilruba Meri Neeta (from Dil Deke Dekho)
9. Akela Joon Mai (from Jaal)
10. Music Theme (from Kashish)
11. Rut Hai Jawan (from Vandana)
12. Yeh Dhuaan (from Dil Aur Deewaar)
13. Jeena Hai To Jee Bhar Hanslo (from Hotel)
14. Yaad Kiya Dil Ne (from Patita)
15. Title - Theme From The Film (from Prem Shastra)
16. Geeta Shlokas & I Love You (from Swarag Narak)
17. Aaja Gale Too Lagale (from Karate)

Listen on Mixcloud.

Cover star: Tina Munim (from 'Lootmaar', 1980)

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K. Babuji: Parmatma (1976)

As I was saying, that last one wasn't actually K. Babuji's best effort. This one, recorded a year earlier (although the film appears to have been released later) is a fantastic record, and I love it to bits.

Why? The super infectious funk-pop of 'Pyar Ka Tum Badla', the freaked-out sexiness of 'Aankh Ladti Hai', the beautiful trippiness of "Toob Sab Ki Mata", the oddball country-soul of 'Surangani', the harmonica driven spaghetti western vibe of 'Title Music', to name a handful, is why. Really though, every track here is good. Fellow blogger Mr. Naidu once suggested that 'Parmatma' may be the best RD Burmanesque soundtrack written by someone else, and he has a point. You can hear the likeness, but you'll also find similarities to Kalyanji Anandji so maybe it's as much the era as any one influence. I'm sticking my neck out to claim this is among the best Bollywood soundtracks written by anybody. It is a pretty much flawless, absolutely killer score. Get it!

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Parmatma Hain Pyare
2. Asha Bhosle: Pyar Ka Tum Badla
3. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Aankh Ladti Hai
4. Asha Bhosle, Ganga Prasad & Chorus: Toob Sab Ki Mata
5. Asha Bhosle, Bhupinder & Chorus: Surangani
6. Mukesh: Saath Kisike Koi
7. Asha Bhosle: Apni Nazar Men
8. Title Music

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K. Babuji: Naya Bakra (1977)

'Naya Bakra' is kind of an odd soundtrack. On my first, cursory listen it didn't seem like much; nothing out of the ordinary. But then I began to notice things... moog stabs and other electronic effects unexpectedly popping up ('Rekha Tujhe Dekha', 'Naya Bakra'), certain melodies getting stuck in my head ('Aap Se Dil Mila', 'Nayi Nayi Jawani'), a discernible RD Burman influence ('Sajna Bin Tere'), and the album suddenly sounded a lot more interesting. I wanted to play it again, which is always a good sign.

Having listened to and written about Bollywood soundtracks for the better part of a decade, it is undeniably refreshing to once in a while come across a music director I haven't heard before. I really don't know a thing about K. Babuji though, and if the Internet is anything to go by, neither does anyone else. He doesn't appear to have been very prolific. But this wasn't his only soundtrack, and as good as it has turned out to be, nor was it his best...

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Rekha Tujhe Dekha
2. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Aap Se Dil Mila
3. Asha Bhosle & Amit Kumar: Chatura Sundari
4. Asha Bhosle: Pyar Ki Kitab
5. Amit Kumar, Bhupinder, Ganga Prasad & Omi: Naya Bakra
6. Asha Bhosle & Amit Kumar: Sajna Bin Tere
7. Asha Bhosle: Nayi Nayi Jawani

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Karz (1980) / Iqbal Qureshi: Bombay By Nite (1970/1977)

I wouldn't normally post a soundtrack EP when I've previously posted the long playing counterpart (only the other way around) but this one is special. 'Karz' contains a track that for whatever reason didn't make it onto the LP, and what a track it is. 'Theme Music' is an exquisite instrumental, slow-burning and sexy with a distinct European sound, reminiscent of the themes Ennio Morricone made for Italian (s)exploitation movies in the 1970s. I adore it! Considering the EP also includes the two best songs from the soundtrack, the fantastic 'Om Shanti Om' in a long (if not entirely complete) version even, there's a case to be made for it being the release you primarily need.



It's only been a few months since I posted the original 'Bombay By Nite' EP; this is the subsequent one, released years later, as mentioned in the earlier post. To be honest it's very shabby. I've often bemoaned how they tended to truncate tracks for EP versions of Bollywood soundtracks; here they've taken that practise to a new low. Not content with fading out songs long before they end, they also start them anything from 20-40 seconds in; on 'Kaun Si Manzil Pe' it sounds so amateurishly random I thought it was the record skipping. And while I'm sort of glad to have the joyous 'Yeh Sham Mehkati Sham' on record, I'm gutted it's lacking its brilliant intro. Bah! (The video versions are more complete.)

Maybe I should look for the 78 rpms...

Track listing, 'Karz':
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Om Shanti Om
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Main Solah Baras Ki
3. Theme Music

Track listing, 'Bombay By Nite':
1. Mukesh: Baharon Ne Kiye Sajde
2. Suman Kalyanpur: Kaun Si Manzil Pe
3. Kishore Kumar & Sulakshana Pandit: Dheere Dheere Dhal Na Jaye
4. Krishna Shinde: Yeh Sham Mehkati Sham

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Dil Aur Deewaar (1979)

'Dil Aur Deewaar' contains two songs I like; one good and one fantastic. 'Dhire Dhire Hole Hole' (along with the film's title music which is essentially the instrumental version) is a top pop song with a very catchy, beautiful soaring melody. (What to me at least sound like glitches at 2.01 and 3.56 aren't by the way; I had to double check and they're also in the clip.) The breathtaking 'Yeh Dhuaan' is one of Laxmikant Pyarelal's funkiest tracks; hearing it uncredited you'd be forgiven for thinking it might be Kalyanji Anandji who were responsible. It's chock-full of musical goodness; it's hot, cool, dramatic, raw, raunchy, sexy, sultry; it's superb!

The rest doesn't do a lot for me I'm afraid. The cover art raises a few questions though...

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Dhire Dhire Hole Hole
2. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Dhuaan
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Tod De Too Is Bandhan Ko
4. Title Music
5. Kishore Kumar: Mujhse Poochhe
6. Mohd. Rafi: Logon Yeh
7. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Wo Shola Badan

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Rajesh Roshan: Swayamvar / Swarag Narak (1980)

My cautious approach to Rajesh Roshan continues... Truth be told I wasn't expecting a lot from this two-fer, and truth be told it's mostly average. Mostly.

On the 'Swayamvar' [review] [2] side it's only 'Mujhe Chu Rahi Hain Teri Garm Sansen' that does anything for me; pretty, verging on saccharine but undeniably likeable. And the instrumental interludes are quite lovely. 'Nahi Nahi Koi Tumsa Haseen' on the 'Swarag Narak' side is similarly sweet; nice and hummable if not especially memorable. I like the tinkling piano.

It's the final track that really stands out and the one that sold me on this record. 'Geeta Shlokas & I Love You' is a medley of sorts; what appears to be a lament for a dying person juxtaposed with a steamy slice of Bollywood erotica. It's co-sung by Lata Mangheshkar and the rather enigmatically named Miss Christine, who may in fact be Annette Pinto in disguise. Or at least that's what the IMDb thinks. I'd love it to be the case, but I haven't actually been able to verify it. Does anyone know? Regardless, it's a remarkable piece.

Track listing, 'Swayamyar':
1. Kishore Kumar: Nari Kuch Aisan
2. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Mujhe Chu Rahi Hain Teri Garm Sansen
3. Kishore Kumar & Mohd. Rafi: Ek Mahal Ma Chum Chum Karti
4. Kishore Kumar: Aap Apne Nashe Mein Jeete Hai

Track listing, 'Swarag Narak':
5. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Leena O Leena
6. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Aag Hai Lagi Hui
7. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Nahi Nahi Koi Tumsa Haseen
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Miss Christine: Geeta Shlokas & I Love You

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Shankar Jaikishan: Nadaan (1971)

My copy of 'Nadaan' [review] is a Dutch reissue of unknown date and possibly dubious legality. But then I only paid $10 for it, considerably less than the 3-digit sums collectors have been known to fork out for Indian originals. Is it that good then? Well, one song is.

'Naach Ae Dil' is Shankar Jaikishan doing big band rock 'n' roll dance as only Shankar Jaikishan could. Surf rock guitar riffs, train siren horns, high-octane drumming... think 'Jan Pahechan Ho' and 'Kiss Kiss' and you'll get the idea. OK, it doesn't have Rafi on vocals, but we get a fired up Asha instead (plus Helen) so who's complaining?

There's a lot of percussive action on the rest of the album as well, albeit of a more traditional nature. I'm quite fond of 'Bol Nadaan Dil' and 'Jeevan Bhar', and 'Ae Baadal Jhoom Ke Chal' has a drum pattern that curiously brings the samba-reggae style of Brazilian Olodum to mind; surely a coincidental resemblance. Good stuff all of them, but inevitably it's the awesome dance number I keep returning to.

Track listing:
 1. Asha Bhosle: Bol Nadaan Dil
2. Mukesh: Ae Baadal Jhoom Ke Chal
3. Mukesh & Chorus: Mehnat Hamara Jeevan
4. Mukesh: Jeevan Bhar
5. Asha Bhosle: Chubh Gai Karejwa Men Nainwa Ki Sui
6. Asha Bhosle: Naach Ae Dil

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Mere Sajana (1975)

A comparatively unsung Laxmikant Pyarelal score; I don't think 'Mere Sajana' was on anyone's radar when I first started buying Bollywood vinyl.

For me, the highlight on a Hindi soundtrack will often be the Asha Bhosle-sung (and Helen-performed on screen) nightclub number, but not so here. 'Tumhari Aankh Se Joda' is OK, and certainly nice to look at, but somewhat unremarkable. Instead it's Lata Mangeshkar's songs that stand out; 'Ye Kaun Hansa' with its lovely melody, rollicking beat and her slightly maniacal giggling being my favourite. 'Pani Ki Boond' and 'Mere Sajana Teri' are both good too, the first upbeat and playful, the second slower; trippy almost. And then there's Kishore Kumar's contribution 'Main Ne Kuchh Khoya Hai' with it's quirky rhythm and luscious instrumental details... all in all this is an excellent album.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Yeh Kaun Hansa
2. Asha Bhosle: Tumhari Aankh Se Joda
3. Kishore Kumar: Main Ne Kuchh Khoya Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Pani Ki Boond
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mere Sajana Teri

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Usha Khanna: Dil Deke Dekho (1959)

The 1959 romantic comedy 'Dil Deke Dekho' [review] showcased an impressive amount of young, fresh movie talent. It was director Nasir Hussain's only second feature, it starred Shammi Kapoor in the process of establishing the stylish & romantic hero persona that would make him a legend, it was the debut of Asha Parekh (the first MFT3F sampler's cover star), and it was the first film to be scored by Usha Khanna.

It's something of a wonder how a just 17-year-old girl with no formal training managed to gain entry onto the Bollywood music scene, even if she was aided by O.P. Nayyar. She wasn't the first female music director in Bollywood (Ishrat Sultana, Jaddan Bai and Saraswati Devi had all scored films in the mid-1930s), and there have been others since, but she is by far the best known. I've really liked the (few) soundtracks I've come across by her, so I've been wanting to hear this one for quite some time. I'm happy to say it doesn't disappoint.

With a flurry of strings and a drum roll she jumps right into it on the title track; very much in the spirit of Nayyar's own work (with more than a nod to The McGuire Sisters' 'Sugartime'), and perfectly compelling. There's a joie de vivre flowing through the album; 'Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale', 'Bolo Bolo Kuchh To Bolo', 'Dilruba Meri Neeta' (nicked from Paul Anka's 'Diana'), 'Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama'; all lovingly performed by Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle (who came to consider Usha as a daughter). Songs that are damn hard to dislike. This would be impressive from any first time music director; from a teenager, it's a marvel.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Dil Deke Dekho
2. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Megha Re Bole/Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale
3. Mohd. Rafi: Bolo Bolo Kuchh To Bolo
4. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Pyar Ki Kasam Hai
5. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Dilruba Meri Neeta
6. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Yaar Chulbula Hai
7. Mohd. Rafi: Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama
8. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Do Ekam Do
9. Mohd. Rafi: Rahi Mil Gaye Rahon Mein

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Usha Khanna: Hotel (1981)

Ah, now this is more like it. 'Hotel' is another horror movie (produced by the infamous Ramsay Brothers), and while there's no apparent fear and trembling conveyed in the music here either the soundtrack is much better than 'Jaani Dushman's. Atmosphere, character, diversity… and top songs. Pop songs; Usha Khanna has a wonderful knack for writing unassumingly catchy tunes and this album has several. The floaty 'Pyar Karte Hain Ham', the cool and funky 'Tere Jaisa Pyara Koi Nahin', the beautiful 'Jeena Hai To Jee Bhar Hanslo' (I prefer the female version), the bittersweet sounding 'Dekho Pyar Men Aesa Nahin Karte' and the frenetic 'Kaun Yeh Aaya Mehfil Men'… I really can't fault any of them. Lots of playfulness in the song arrangements, and two short but awesome instrumentals as icing on the cake; this is about as perfect as it gets.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle & Manhar: Pyar Karte Hain Ham
2. Usha Khanna: Tere Jaisa Pyara Koi Nahin
3. Amit Kumar: Jeena Hai To Jee Bhar Hanslo
4. Music
5. Amit Kumar & Alka Yagnik: Dekho Pyar Men Aesa Nahin Karte
6. Amit Kumar & Usha Khanna: Kaun Yeh Aaya Mehfil Men
7. Usha Khanna: Jeena Hai To Jee Bhar Hanslo
8. Music

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jaani Dushman (1978)

I really want to like 'Jaani Dushman' [review]. And I've played this LP a lot more times than I usually afford a record before blogging about it. Why? It's Laxmikant Pyarelal scoring a horror film; that should, in my mind, signify quality. And does it? I'm not entirely convinced.

The music sounds sumptuous, from start to finish, filled with lovely, lush orchestrations. So what's missing? Drama perhaps; something (other than the great artwork) to suggest that this is a horror film. Not the clichéd big loud kettledrums, screaching violins and that sort of thing, but a sense of foreboding, tension… what Laxmikant Pyarelal so often did so well. And more memorable songs. 'Aasi Waise Na', 'Chalo Re Doli' and 'Sara Rishte' (my favourite) all make for pleasant listening, but I don't find any of them particularly attention-grabbing.

A few more listens then?

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Sare Rishte
2. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Are Sun Bhai
3. Asha Bhosle & Shatrughan Sinha: Aasi Waise Na
4. Kishore Kumar & Anuradha: O Meri Jaan
5. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Tere Hathon Men
6. Mohd. Rafi: Chalo Re Doli

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Keemat (1972) / Ravi: Vandana (1974)

Here are a couple of early 1970s EPs, the first of which is a slightly rubbish (noisy) pressing. Luckily, 'Keemat' [review] [2] isn't the most essential record I've ever posted. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, and it's hard not to be charmed by songs such as 'Rang Roop Ka Yeh Bazar Hai' and 'Main Ne To Pani Piya Tha' (I love Asha's yelps on the latter), but it doesn't excite me quite as much as many Laxmikant Pyarelal soundtracks a year or two down the line would do.

Or maybe it's just that it pales when compared to 'Vandana'.



I have over the years heard one or two Ravi songs that I've fancied but without really being convinced that he's a music director for me. So when I stumbled over 'Sochta Hai Kya' on YouTube and liked that a lot (who wouldn't? It's bright and breezy, super charming, summery folk-pop to die for), I decided to look for the soundtrack it was from, without expecting too much from the rest of it. Imagine my surprise in finding out it's not even the score's best song.

'Rut Hai Jawan' (which is) is essentially a remake of the Mexican standard 'Bésame Mucho'. Lovely as that song is, in many of its countless versions, I can't recall last I heard one I've liked as much as this. Ravi has rewritten the melody just enough to actually possibly improve it, given it a cool Merseybeat-ish backbeat (there are also versions of the song recorded by the early Beatles) and turned it into a superbly catchy pop song that I often find myself humming for hours on end. And, unusually for an EP, we get the full 6 and a half minutes.

So what are the chances the record's third and final track is going to be any good? Guess what, 'Too Jo Bhi De' is gorgeous. Wow.

I've seen but been unable to obtain a second EP containing more songs from the film (I'm unaware of any LP having been released); while I fear it might not be quite as good I'd still like to get my hands on a copy eventually.

Track listing, 'Keemat':
1. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Rang Roop Ka Yeh Bazar Hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Main Ne Poochha Meri Shadi Kab Hogi
3. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Maaf Karo Baba
4. Asha Bhosle: Main Ne To Pani Piya Tha

Track listing, 'Vandana':
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Rut Hai Jawan
2. Asha Bhosle: Sochta Hai Kya
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Too Jo Bhi De

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Mohd. Rafi: Rare Hits Vol. 1 (1987)

I'm not sure about this one's origin, or indeed its legality... I suspect 'Rare Hits Vol. 1' (I've never seen a second volume) might not be entirely sanctioned. But never mind; neither is this blog, technically. Concluding this week's Mohd. Rafi series then; sixteen tracks he recorded between 1961 and 1966, presented in chronological order. Whether or not they're actually rare, I have no idea.

It's back to regular services next.

Track listing:
1. Agar Dil Kisise (from Bada Admi)
2. Woh Saadgi Kahen Ise (from Shama)
3. Cheda Jo Dilka Fasana (from Nakli Nawab)
4. Zara Sun Haseena (from Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya)
5. Phir Aane Laga Yaad (from Ye Dil Kisko Doon)
6. Teri Tasveer Bhi Kuch (from Kinare Kinare)
7. Hamne Kya Pyar Kiya (from Naag Mohini)
8. Zindagi Tu Jhoomle Zara (from Kaise Kahoon)
9. Mere Mehboob Kahin Aur (from Ghazal)
10. Paas Baitho Tabiyat (from Punar Milan)
11. Mana Mere Haseen Sanam (from The Adventures Of Robin Hood)
12. Jaane Woh Kaun Hai Kya (from Bheegee Raat)
13. Haye Tabassum Tera (from Nishan)
14. Jaane Kahan Dekha Hai (from Biwi Aur Makan)
15. Teri Zulfen Pareshan (from Preet Na Jane Reet)
16. Khamosh Zindagi Ko (from Naag Mandir)

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Mohd. Rafi: Lingering Memories (1981)

An interesting side effect of exploring these Rafi albums is coming across music directors (composers) I haven't heard of before, never mind posted stuff by. I make no claims to MFT3F being in any way comprehensive, but I believe I have at least touched on most of the important MDs active between 1965-1985. But prior to that? I feel I've only scratched the surface.

Husnalal Bhagatram, N. Dutta, Lalaassar Sattar, Rono Deb Mukerji, S. N. Tripathi, C. Arjun, G.S. Kohli, Ghulam Mohammed… who were they all? It's tempting to research properly, and one day maybe I will. Are any of them particularly worth noting?

I like this album; 'Mainne Chand Aur Sitaron Ki Tamanna Ki Thi', 'Chiragh Dil Ka Jalao' and 'Aai Bahorah Ki Sham' all sound beautifully evocative.

Track listing:
1. O Door Ke Musafir - Chorus (from Uran Khatola)
2. Mainne Chand Aur Sitaron Ki Tamanna Ki Thi (from Chandrakanta)
3. Chiragh Dil Ka Jalao (from Chirag)
4. Na Kisi Ki Ankh Ka Noor Hoon (from Lal Qilla)
5. Bhoola Hua Fasana (from So Saal Baad)
6. Basti Basti Parbat Parbat (from Railway Platform)
7. Jaag Dil-E-Diwana (from Oonche Log)
8. Aai Baharoh Ki Sham (from Wapas)
9. Mere Pyar Men Tujhe Kya Mila (from Suhagan)
10. Adam Ka Lahu (from Tu Hi Meri Zindagi)
11. Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe (from Kanyadaan)
12. Too Kahan Yeh Bata (from Tere Ghar Ke Samne)

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Mohd. Rafi: Homage To The Immortal Voice (1980)

Released shortly after Mohd. Rafi's passing in 1980, this album is more an audio documentary than a conventional collection of songs. It features a lot of narration, which I'm obviously unable to comment on (and there's no written mention of who it is supplying it), interspersed with musical extracts. Perhaps surprisingly, it's the single non-Filmi song that I find myself liking the most at the moment.

Track listing:
1. Ham To Chale Pardes (from Sargam)
    Yahan Badla Wafa Ka (from Jugnu)
    Bapuki Amar Kahani (from Bapuki Amar Kahani)
    Tere Bharose He Nandlala
    Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj (from Baiju Bawra)
    Ab Kya Misal Doon (from Aarti)
    Chaudhvin Ka Chand (from Chaudhvin Ka Chand)
    Ham Bekhudi Men (from Kala Pani)
2. Teri Zulfon Se Judai (from Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai)
    Kahan Ja Raha Hai (from Seema)
    Teri Aankhon Ke Siva (from Chirag)
    Sau Baar Janam Lenge (from Ustadon Ke Ustad)
    O Door Ke Musafir (from Uran Khatola)
    Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari (from Kaagaz Ke Phool)
    Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele (from Mela)
    Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paoge (from Pagla Kahin Ka)
    Ehsan Mere Dil Pe (from Gaban)

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Mohd. Rafi: We Remember… (1979)

I have a confession to make. With the exception of Geeta Dutt, I've never really been that big a fan of any of the famous Bollywood playback singers. Obviously I love loads of the songs that Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Mohd. Rafi et al. lent their voices to, but more often than not that is due to the composition and the arrangments. I know I've mentioned on occasion how nobody did ballads quite like Lata; gone on about the spectacularly cool Asha-sung cabaret songs; enthused about those quintessential Rafi beat numbers… but that has as much to do with the material the vocalists were given, I think, as what they did with it. To me anyway. Sacrilege? Well maybe. Don't get me wrong; their contribution to Bollywood film music is massive and I'm not knocking any of them; it's just that the singing has never been my primary approach to enjoying it.

Which is why I never look for singer-based compilation albums, and why I've never given these Mohd. Rafi ones I obtained years ago many listens, or even much thought. You could say it was about time, and it pleases me to find there's plenty on them I find worthwhile.

Track listing:
1. Tujhe Kya Sunaoon (from Aakhri Dao)
2. Ajab Hai Dastan (from Shararat)
3. Duniya Ek Kahani (from Afsana)
4. Sau Baar Janam Lenge (from Ustadon Ke Ustad)
5. Main To Tere Haseen Khayalon Men (from Sangram)
6. Wadiyan Mera Daman (from Abhilasha)
7. Kabhi Na Kabhi (from Sharabi)
8. Ham Tum Se Juda Ho Ke (from Ek Sapera Ek Lutera)
9. Itni Haseen Itni Jawan Raat (from Aaj Aur Kal)
10. Akela Hoon Main Is Duniya Men (from Baat Ek Raat Ki)
11. Tum Chali Jaogi (from Shagoon)
12. Tasveer Banata Hoon (from Diwana)
13. Lal Lal Gaal (Chorus) (from Mr. X)
14. Ae Chand Ki Zebai (from Chhoti Si Mulaqaat)
15. Ek Haseen Sham Ko (from Dulhan Ek Raat Ki)
16. Mohabbat Ki Rahon (from Uran Khatola)
17. Shama Men Taaqat Kahan (fron Naya Kanoon)
18. Phir Wohi Bhooli Si Yaad Aayi Hai (from Begana)
19. Hai Kali Kali Ke Kab Par (from Lala Rookh)
20. Mohabbat Ke Dhoke Men Koi Na Aaye (from Bari Bahen)
21. Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizayen (from Aaj Aur Kal)
22. Caravan Guzar Gaya (from Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal)
23. Zamin Bhi Wohi Hai Wohi Aasman (from Chandni Chowk)
24. Sawan Ke Mahine Men (from Sharabi)

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Mohd. Rafi: Ghazals From Films (1963)

Another playback singer compilation; a collection of ghazals sung by Mohd. Rafi. "Ghazal" is a term relating more to lyrical than musical content, but it comes as no surprise that these are, to a large extent, low key, traditional sounding songs. I know that many who follow the blog have, like me, a fondness for the stuff Rafi did with Shankar Jaikishan (especially), those cool jazz or high energy rock 'n' roll numbers; there are however no 'Jan Pahechan Ho's here.

But it's an album worth attention nonetheless. Lots of lovely songs; 'Ab Kya Misal Doon', 'Husna Wale Tera' (I love the glockenspiel sound) and 'Tero Pyari Pyari' (which is Shankar Jaikishan) are current favourites. There's something warm and reassuring about Rafi's voice on everything here. I like it.

This is the first in a five day series of Rafi LPs. Sort of by popular demand.

Track listing:
1. Chaudhvin Ka Chand (from Chaudhvin Ka Chand)
2. Teri Zulphonse Judai (from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai)
3. Ab Kya Misal Doon (from Aarti)
4. Dil Men Chhupake (from Aan)
5. Ye Aansoo Mere (from Hamrahi)
6. Jo Baat Tujhme Hai (from Taj Mahal)
7. Nahin Bhoolegi Woh (from Barsaat Ki Raat)
8. Husna Wale Tera (from Gharana)
9. Ham Bekhudi Men (from Kalapani)
10. Teri Pyari Pyari (from Sasural)
11. Zindagi Aaj (from Son Of India)
12. Hum Ko Tumhare (from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina)

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Geeta Dutt: Hit Songs From Films (1969)

I don't often buy compilations, be they of film music or otherwise, but when there's a Geeta Dutt album sitting inexpensive and unloved on eBay... that's hard to resist.

And she's my favourite playback singer. Funny that actually, considering she was long before the period in Bollywood film music I usually prefer. Something about her voice though… Music critic Raju Bharatan said "The first thing that strikes one when you hear Geeta Dutt sing was that she never sang. She just glided through a tune. Of all her contemporaries her musical training was perhaps the sketchiest but what she lacked in training and technique, she more than made up with her ability to breathe life and emotion into any song she was singing."

Highlights? There are 12 of them.  

Track listing:
1. Babuji Dheere Chalna (from Aar Paar)
2. Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De (from Bhai Bhai)
3. Hawa Dheere Aana (from Sujata)
4. Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Laga Lo (from Pyaasa)
5. Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam (from Kaagaz Ke Phool)
6. Kaise Koi Jiye (from Baadbaan)
7. Jaane Kya Tu Ne Kahi (from Pyaasa)
8. Jata Kahan Hai Diwane (from C.I.D.)
9. Na Ye Chand Hoga (from Shart)
10. Na Jao Saiyan (from Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam)
11. Mera Sunder Sapna Beet Gaya (from Do Bhai)
12. Ghubhat Ka Pat Khol (from Jogan)

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Bappi Lahiri: Namak Halaal (1982)

I've seen enough appearances and mentions of 'Pag Ghunghroo Baandh' over the years to suspect it's a famous and very popular song. It's certainly a typical Bappi Lahiri disco number; bombastic, cheesy, and catchy as hell. Good? Kind off. Impossible to not tap your feet to, at the very least. But I keep having problems with the use of Kishore Kumar's loud, booming voice on disco songs; it doesn't sound right to me. I fear I'll never get past that. Making up for it though is the track's 3-minute (almost) long instrumental introduction, which is often left off on reissues and compilations. Essentially a Walter Murphy 'A Fifth of Beethoven' rip-off, Bappi nevertheless adds enough to it to make it his own. Fabulous.

The rest of 'Namak Halaal' [review] [2] [3] is more of the same. I like the Asha-sung part of 'Raat Baaqi Baat Baaqi', 'Thodisi Jo Pee Lee Hai' is the first Bollywood drunk song I've come across where it's the bloke who's had too much to drink, and 'Jawani Jan-E-Man' reminds me of about 10 different 70s Eurodisco songs at once; no mean feat pulling that off. A good sounding soundtrack; probably a great one if you listen to it with the visuals.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Pag Ghunghroo Baandh
2. Asha Bhosle, Bappi Lahiri & Shashi Kapoor: Raat Baaqi Baat Baaqi
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Aaj Rapat Jaayen To
4. Kishore Kumar: Thodisi Jo Pee Lee Hai
5. Asha Bhosle: Jawani Jan-E-Man

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Kalyanji Anandji: Adalat (1977)

Essentially a dialogue album, the 'Adalat' soundtrack LP is only of interest to me for the ten minutes or so of music at the beginning. Some of it rather good; I wish there was more.

'Tum Se Dur Reh Ke' is the big highlight; a lovely, lively song that reminds me of Usha Khanna's 'Mere Pyase Man Ki Bahar' as well as Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra's 'Summer Wine'. 'Do Din Ki Jawani Men Bhi Agar' sounds great too, with its funky groove reminiscent of Kalyanji Anandji's own 'Ae Naujawan Hai Sub Kuchh Yahan'. It fades out after only 90 seconds though, unfortunately. I believe a longer version is available on an EP from the film; I should probably try to locate a copy.

The album also features a cover version of the Carl Douglas hit 'Kung Fu Fighting'; not credited to anybody but taken "from Polydor LP Soul Factory". The singer appears to be one Carl Duncers (aka King Duncers) whom I'm guessing was a session musician. The song can be heard in the background at one point in the movie (track 8); another scene makes good use of a subsequent Carl Douglas single, 'Dance The Kung Fu' – the original this time, but not on the LP.

What's noteworthy about the inclusion of these two songs in a Kalyanji Anandji scored film is of course that they were written by Indian-British pop producer Biddu. Two years later, the three of them would famously co-score 'Qurbani'.

Track listing:
1. Mukesh & Amitabh Bachchan: Hum Ka Aisa Na Samjho
2. Mukesh: Behna O Behna
3. Kung Fu Fighting
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Tum Se Dur Reh Ke
5. Yesudas & Chorus: Do Din Ki Jawani Men Bhi Agar
6. A son is born to Dharma, the poor but honest and brave peasant. In need of money, he acts as guide to city-folk Ajit, Sujit and Suresh and saves them from a man-eater. In return, they invite to Bombay, give him a job, involve him in smuggling which lands him in jail. His wife, son and sister suffer misery and are tormented by Ajit and his companions.
7. Released from jail, Dharma takes revenge upon Sujit, Suresh and Ajit, amasses their money, sends his son, Raju, to London for education and safety and takes to a life of crime.
8. Twenty years later, Raju returns from London along with Geeta whom he wants to marry. They have fun together until Raju discovers his father's criminal activities. Disgusted, son confronts father and decides to leave home but mother's explanation arouses pity for the victimised father. Dharma decides to give up life of crime.
9. Dharma's henchmen plot his death, and Dharma is shot and dies in the arms of his son.

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jaal (1966) / Iqbal Qureshi: Bombay By Nite (1970)

If you ask me, nobody in Bollywood did suspense in music better than Laxmikant Pyarelal. So it comes as no surprise that they're the ones responsible for the score to 'Jaal' [review], described by some as a Hitchcockian thriller. That said, these aren't their most dramatic of songs, even though you can hear traces of what the pair were capable of on the intro to Mohd. Rafi's 'Akela Joon Mai'. It's a gorgeous, hypnotic track, the best thing on the record. Lata Mangeshkar's 'Mere Zindagi Ke' and 'Rokna Hai Agar' are pretty too, if not quite as gripping. But considering I primarily bought this EP for its cool sleeve, I have no complaints.



Compared to Laxmikant Pyarelal, Iqbal Qureshi is a fairly unsung music director. Despite him being responsible for at least a dozen scores (granted, that's not very prolific by Bollywood standards) I can't remember ever having seen his name before. Which is a shame, at least if his work on 'Bombay By Nite' is anything to go by.

By all accounts an obscure film; it seems to have been made around 1970 (that's when this EP came out) but not released until much later (1976 or 1979; opinions differ). By then, songs such as 'Dheere Dheere' and 'Husn-E-Baharan Tauba' may have sounded a bit dated. To me they're great though; happy, lively and packed with fun. There's also a deliciously cool cabaret number that unfortunately isn't on the record, but – and this is where things get confusing – may be on one of three 78 RPMs (in the 1970s!), or on a second EP that possibly only saw the light of day in 1977. I'd love to see track listings for all of them.

A big thank you to long time MFT3F reader Deewani for invaluable input on this one.

Track listing, 'Jaal':
1. Mohd. Rafi: Akela Joon Mai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Mere Zindagi Ke
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Rokna Hai Agar
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Mizaj Girami

Track listing, 'Bombay By Nite':
1. Kishore Kumar & Sulakshana Pandit: Dheere Dheere
2. Sharda & Chorus: Husn-E-Baharan Tauba
3. Mukesh: Baharon Ne Kiye Sajde
4. Mahendra Kapoor, Krishna Kalle, Sharda & Chorus: Khubsurat Badan

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Rahul Dev Burman: Chor-Police (1982)

As regular readers will know, I tend to approach Bollywood soundtracks made after 1980 with a fair amount of scepticism. Even RD Burman ones; and that would be my only excuse for not having paid attention to 'Chor-Police' earlier. I should have, because this is a pretty good album.

It begins magnificently with 'Aaj Mera Dil', full of bubbly synth sounds, choppy drumming, fantastic breaks, and a partly voice-manipulated Asha Bhosle. The tribal sounding 'Meri Jawani Hai' follows; more synths, more quirky percussion as well as strings feature on this one. Great songs both. Flipping the record over (it's a 45 rpm mini-album) and proceedings take a turn for the lighter... still pleasant though. The chirpy 'Atkan Batkan' sounds like it might have been made for comedic effect (animal noises will do that) or possibly it's a children's song, and both 'Tumse Milke' and 'Tum Kaho' are lovely.

One big complaint: They didn't include the film's incredible title music. Damn.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Aaj Mera Dil
2. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Meri Jawani Hai
3. Asha Bhosle, Vinod Sehgal & Chorus: Atkan Batkan
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tumse Milke
5. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Suresh Wadkar & Vanita Sharma: Tum Kaho

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Charanjit Singh: Instrumental Film Tunes (1974)

Another non-soundtrack, but too cool not to post. I featured brilliant instrumentalist Charanjit Singh before when I came across an EP of instrumental versions of RD Burman tunes and despite not expecting to, loving it to bits. This is the full length follow up to that record, and it's even better.

I'm not sure how although I suspect his choice of lead instruments has something to do with it, but Charanjit breathes (new) life into every song he tackles. And it's not as if many of these even need it. There isn't a dull moment on the album; old favourites such 'Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne' and 'Hey Mujhe Dil De' sound as fresh as ever, and 'Aaya Hoon Main Tujhke Le Jaoonga', the original of which I initially deemed "less than memorable", is mesmerizing and I can't believe what I was thinking the first time around.

Great fun instrumental pop in a lounge-surf-accordion-garage style by the guy who made 'Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat'.

Track listing:
1. Hey Mujhe Dil De - Bass Guitar (Mr. Romeo)
2. Yaadon Ki Baaraat - Transicord (Yaadon Ki Baaraat)
3. Main Tasvir Utarta Hoon - Claviolin (Heera Panna)
4. Dulhan Maike Chali - Transicord (Manoranjan)
5. Chal Sathi Chal - Transicord (Ishq Ishq Ishq)
6. Aaya Hoon Main Tujhke Le Jaoonga - Transicord & Claviolin (Manoranjan)
7. Yahan Nahin Kahoongi - Claviolin (Mr. Romeo)
8. Dekho Ham Donon Ki Yaari - Transicord (Double Cross)
9. Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne - Hawain Guitar (Yaadon Ki Baaraat)
10. Lekar Ham Diwana Dil - Transicord (Yaadon Ki Baaraat)

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