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' is very much akin to, and on par with, Shankar Jaikishan's famous rock 'n' roll tunes of the same era. Sung by Mohd. Rafi, naturally. 'African Dance' pre-dates the wild freak-out instrumentals that would intermittently appear on their 1970s soundtracks; loud and primal. I don't find side 2 as interesting, though it must be said that 'Mere Bechain Dil Ko' is growing on me.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door The
2. Mohd. Rafi: Nain Milakar Chain Churana
3. Chorus: African Dance
4. Mohd. Rafi: Mere Bechain Dil Ko
5. Mohd. Rafi: Aajkal Hum Se Roothe
6. Manna Dey & Miss Shami: Ankhiyan Na Churao


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Kalyanji Anandji: Dil Ne Pukara (1967)

'Dil Ne Pukara' is a comparatively charming Kalyanji Anandji effort, made a few years before their most famous scores. It features a variety of styles and moods, including a number of pleasing (if not entirely outstanding) songs.

Opener 'Dekha Hai Sabhi Ne Chand Ko' is a bright and poppy Mohd. Rafi track, quite typical for its time. Moody 'Waqt Karta Jo Wafa' may be the score's best known song, at least based on YouTube accessibility. In fact there's not a lot to be found about either film or soundtrack online; the only other song clip I located was 'Khai Thi Kasam', a dramatic sounding yet still very pretty Lata Mangeshkar ballad. As luck would have it that's my favourite track off the album, along with the jumpy Manny Dey & Asha Bhosle duet (a cabaret number maybe?) 'Kis Kadar Zalim'.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Dekha Hai Sabhi Ne Chand Ko
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Khai Thi Kasam
3. Manna Dey & Asha Bhosle: Kis Kadar Zalim
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Ooi Amma
5. Mukesh: Waqt Karta Jo Wafa
6. Manna Dey: Yon Na Tanke Chalo

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Kalyanji Anandji: Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970) / Kahani Kismat Ki (1973)

More Kalyanji Anandji; a pair of EPs this time. 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?' [review] [2] has a typically early 1970s poppy vibe; highlight 'Pyar Se Dil Bhar De' is a catchy Asha & Rafi duet with a very hummable melody, and 'Ho Gaye Tere Ho Gaye', 'Dil To Dil Hai' and cabaret number 'Yeh Ankhen Jhuki Jhuki So' all sound upbeat and cheerful. Judging by these songs I’d have imagined the film to be a light romantic type of thing; instead it’s a mystery with all manner of wickedness going on. It really isn’t possible to judge a Bollywood film by its songs is it?

Instrumentals on the other hand tends to be more indicative. 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?'s title music is a funky and stylish cross between Lalo Schifrin and Henry Mancini. Sadly it's not on this (or any as far as I know) record, however an alternately sourced MP3 is included with the download. Elsewhere in the film, 'Escape' by Madras (Chennai) garage band The Mustangs is heard.



By the time 'Kahani Kismat Ki' [review] was released in 1973, Kalyanji Anandji had perfected their trademark funk sound. It’s utilized to better effect on other soundtracks, but you’ll notice it on 'Rafta Rafta'. Kind of cool, although I personally prefer 'Too Yaar Mera' with its guitar and synth licks and Latin groove (and cheekily sexy video), and the atmospheric title track. Drunk song 'Duniya Mujhse Kahti Hai' and playful 'Kab Tak Na Dogi Dil' are nice too, so despite not containing any real classics, this is definitely a worthwhile EP.

Track listing, 'Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?':
1. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Pyar Se Dil Bhar De
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Ho Gaye Tere Ho Gaye
3. Mohd. Rafi: Dil To Dil Hai
4. Asha Bhosle & Usha Khanna: Yeh Ankhen Jhuki Jhuki So

Track listing, 'Kahani Kismat Ki'
1. Kishore Kumar: Rafta Rafta
2. Mukesh & Chorus: Kahani Kismat Ki
3. Asha Bhosle: Too Yaar Mera
4. Kishore Kumar: Duniya Mujhse Kahti Hai
5. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Kab Tak Na Dogi Dil


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Kalyanji Anandji: Zanjeer / Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)

My initial introduction to this 1973 Kalyanji Anandji two-fer was the rather sexy cabaret number 'Dil Jalon Ka' (from 'Zanjeer' [review]) which I stumbled over on YouTube. I can't quite recall why but I had a feeling there might more good stuff on the record, and I was right. 'Banake Kyon Bigade Re' became another immediate favourite, a lovely Lata Mangeshkar song with an enchanting melody and captivating rhythm, tastefully arranged and orchestrated.

The 'Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara' side is pleasing too. As with the last post, there's not a lot of the composers' trademark funk to be heard (perhaps a little on 'Dance Music' which additionally brings Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass to mind), yet plenty to get those so inclined onto a dance floor. 'Choro Khule Na' and 'Chal Diye Tum Kahan' are both wonderfully infectious, and 'Pahli Pahli Baar' combines pop sensibilities with traditional instrumentation in a most compelling way. A couple of plaintive solos makes 'Dil Todne Walon Ki' another worthwhile track.

Track listing, 'Zanjeer':
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Diwane Hain Diwanon Ko
2. Manna Dey: Yari Hai Iman Mera
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Banake Kyon Bigade Re
4. Asha Bhosle: Chakku Chhuriyan Tej Karalo
5. Asha Bhosle: Dil Jalon Ka

Track listing, 'Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara':
6. Asha Bhosle: Choro Khule Na
7. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Chal Diye Tum Kahan
8. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Pahli Pahli Baar
9. Dance Music
10. Kishore Kumar: Dil Todne Walon Ki


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Kalyanji Anandji: Mere Humsafar (1970)

While neither among Kalyanji Anandji's best scores nor belonging to my favourite K-A period (that would come a few years down the line), 'Mere Humsafar', a soundtrack a lot less reliant on western influences than their more famous ones, has its moments. One highlight is the de facto title track 'Kisi Rah Men Kisi Mod Par'; a lovely duet with eloquently swirling strings and a subtle tabla rhythm ('Title Music' is essentially the instrumental version). My other preferred pick is 'Tum Hamse Mile', the most (conventionally) poppy song on the album; gently grooving, with nice piano touches.

Elsewhere (between loads of dialogue), 'Maudam Hai Baharon Ki' is good on compulsive drumming if not very memorable on melody, and 'Mera Pardesi Na Aaya' is another expressive Lata Mangeshkar song.

Track listing:
1. Mahendra Kapoor, Balbir & Chorus: Maudam Hai Baharon Ki
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Kisi Rah Men Kisi Mod Par
3. Title Music
4. Asha Bhosle: Mar Gai Mit Gai
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Pardesi Na Aaya
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Tum Hamse Mile


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Kalyanji Anandji: Do Shatru / Chori Mera Kaam (1975)

This 1975 Kalyanji Anandji two-fer is nice, though arguably not quite of the quality their reputation is based upon. Both scores have their moments. 'Do Shatru' (the release of the actual film appears to have been delayed five years) sounds mostly traditional, and very percussive. Every song is driven by drums and tablas, almost relentlessly so. 'Rub Na Kare' is my favourite; it is at once trippily hypnotic and infectiously danceable.

'Chori Mera Kaam' [review] [2] has a more typical 1970s pop feel – although there's plenty of traditional drumming on its title track too. 'Kahe Ko Kahe Ko Mere Peechay Pari Hai' and 'Main Kachhay Angoor Ki Bela' are both good; fun and comparatively funky, but perhaps not songs one remembers for a long time. 'Meri Nazar Se Bacha Na Koi' is the score's (and the entire record's) highlight: a mysterious sounding into, great melody, soulful horn section, cool interludes and groovy tempo shifts.

Track listing 'Do Shatru':
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Narendra Chanchal: Rub Na Kare
2. Kanchan & Chorus: Aao Sakhio Tumhara
3. Aziz Nazaan & Chorus: Yeh Nazar Hai Nazar
4. Asha Bhosle: Main Billo Bangalore Ki

Track listing 'Chori Mera Kaam':
5. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Chori Mera Kaam
6. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Kahe Ko Kahe Ko Mere Peechay Pari Hai
7. Kishore Kumar, Amit & Kanchan: Main Kachhay Angoor Ki Bela
8. Kishore Kumar: Meri Nazar Se Bacha Na Koi

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Kalyanji Anandji: Haath Ki Safai (1974)

If you were to think "I’ve heard this before" when listening to the unlisted instrumental kicking off 'Haath Ki Safai', you wouldn't be mistaken. The melody sounds just like Henry Mancini's theme from 'The Thief That Came To Dinner', which isn't unusual in itself; Bollywood MDs did that sort of thing a lot. What's surprising is that just a few months later, Kalyanji Anandji used the same melody again for their (now quite famous) instrumental from 'Rafoo Chakkar'. They must really have liked Mancini’s original.

It precedes 'Wada Karle Sajna' and combined they are the best thing on this soundtrack. The song is beautiful; a soaring melody, sumptuously orchestrated with a cool rolling rhythm. I quite like 'Ham Ko Mohabbat Ho Gai Hai' too, a pleasant if unspectacular pop tune with nice instrumental details, including a Morricone-ism or two. Cabaret number 'Too Kya Jane O Bewafa' follows Kalyanji Anandji's trademark funk pop formula; similar in style to their own 'Ae Naujawan Hai Sub Kuchh Yahan' but without being quite as good. Or as funky.


Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Wada Karle Sajna
2. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Oopar Wale Teri Duniya Men
3. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Ham Ko Mohabbat Ho Gai hai
4. Kishore Kumar & Hema Malini: Peene Wale Ko Peene Ka Bahana Chahiye
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Too Kya Jane O Bewafa

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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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Kalyanji Anandji: Kashish (1980)

Here's an early 80s Kalyanji Anandji score featuring a couple of really good songs. The poppy, sitar-driven 'Sathiya Re' is almost a cousin to 'Apradh's 'Ae Naujawan Hai Sub Kuchh Yahan'; possibly not as funky but equally compelling; and 'Pardes Men Jake To' manages to be infectious without having a very strong melody, boosted by jazzy interludes and neat keyboard (Clavioline?) riffs.

From what I've read, 'Kashish' is another film about traditional Indian values being corrupted by dubious Western activities; drinking, drug taking, dancing, pre-marital sex. The instrumental 'Music Theme' apparently serves as background music for a drug scene; typically it's wonderful and I wish it was on YouTube.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Pardes Men Jake To
2. Mohd. Rafi: Kisi Aasman Pe
3. Dialogues
4. Suman Kalyanpur & Kishore Kumar: Sathiya Re
5. Dialogue
6. Music Theme

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Chitragupta: Pyar Ka Sapna (1969) / Kalyanji Anandji: Apradh (1972) / Sonik Omi: Play Boy (1975)

I consider the one album I have by Chitragupta to be fairly good, but he has never been a music director I've put much effort into pursuing. At least not until I saw a clip of Helen in 'Pyar Ka Sapna' and it became a matter of necessity to locate that film's soundtrack. The song in question, 'Night Is Lovely Lovely, is one of the tastiest, catchiest, best Bollywood pop songs ever made, end of story. I've yet to come across a sensible copy of the LP, but this EP does me nicely.



An EP is in fact all there ever was from 'Apradh' [review] [2]; for whatever reason the film wasn't afforded a full length album. The soundtrack is primarily noteworthy for 'Ae Naujawan Hai Sub Kuchh Yahan' which became kind of famous in the west when The Black Eyed Peas sampled it for 'Don't Phunk With My Heart'. I wasn't a big fan of the latter, but I do love Kalyanji Anandji's funky original. Who doesn't?



The Mohd. Rafi track on 'Play Boy', and indeed the score as a whole, is credited to Sonik Omi. But it's this 2-track single's A-side that's really interesting; 'O My Son Shine Baby' is one of the most unusual Bollywood songs I've heard, in the sense that it doesn't sound at all as if it was made in India. A mix of Burt Bacharach, 60s West End musicals, bubblegum pop-soul and fuzzed out freak beat, sung in English (and also written) by one Edgardo Binalling Bing; it's a wonderful treat. And I'd love to find out more about it.

I've never come across a full length version of this score either (and hardly any mentions of the actual film), but look around the interwebs for some additional songs; worth grabbing.

Track listing, 'Pyar Ka Sapna':
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Ye Zindagi Hamari Kya
2. Asha Bhosle: Night Is Lovely Lovely
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Aai Meri Zindagi Tu Nahin Ajnabi
4. Mohd. Rafi: Tere Chehre Se Hate

Track listing, 'Apradh':
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Hamare Siwae Tumhare
2. Asha Bhosle: Ae Naujawan Hai Sub Kuchh Yahan
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Tum Mile Pyar Se
4. Kishore Kumar: Tum Ho Haseen

Track listing, 'Play Boy':
1. Edgardo Binalling Bing: O My Son Shine Baby
2. Mohd. Rafi: Aaj Tumhare

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Kalyanji Anandji/Biddu: What A Wonder… Feroz Khan's Qurbani In English (1980)

I've never been able to find out whose idea it was to make an English language version of the 'Qurbani' soundtrack, nor the reason for it. Biddu's involvement might have played a part; one can imagine Polydor wanting to capitalize on his reputation and fame in English speaking countries (primarily the UK) by releasing an 'international' version. But if that was the case, it's slightly odd that this album only came out in India, and not in Europe. I don't know, maybe it was a potentially good idea that simply didn't go as planned... to my knowledge it wasn't attempted again.

I've heard people say that 'What A Wonder' is superior to the Hindi original. Perhaps that's just down to personal taste, or a language thing, but for me it's a valid claim. Several tracks make more sense to me here than they originally did. 'Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face' is a different mix from the soundtrack version and consequently funkier and better, and Sharon Prabhakar's voice has a lovely English folk-singer-like quality which lends itself beautifully to 'Let's Do It' and 'If I Were Prince Charming'. But on the other hand, the film's biggest hit doesn't translate well. 'Aap Jaisa Koi', as sung by Nazia Hassan, was perfect bubblegum disco; the English versions aren't very convincing.

Play the two albums back to back and decide for yourselves.

Track listing:
1. Sharon Prabhakar: What A Wonder It Will Be (Aap Jaisi Koi)
2. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face (Hum Tumhe Chahte Hain Aise)
3. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It (Qurbani, Qurbani, Qurbani)
4. Sharon Prabhakar & Bashir Sheikh: If You Were Prince Charming (Kya Dekhte Ho)
5. Sharon Prabhakar & Bashir Sheikh: Don't Ever Leave Me (Laila O Laila)
6. Bashir Sheikh: What A Wonder It Will Be (Baat Ban Jaye)

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Kalyanji Anandji: Kasauti (1974)

A Kalyanji Anandji score, mid-70s; chances are it'll be a worthwhile listen. That was my reasoning when deciding to buy 'Kasauti', and I wasn't entirely wrong. Perhaps not one of their top, most memorable soundtracks, but it has a few good songs.

There's the playful, rock'n'roll tinged 'Baby Ho Gayi Hain Jawan', with plenty of fun instrumental details if not the strongest of melodies. The same can be said of 'Yeh Time Time Ki Baat', this one having a few cool jazz bits added into the mix. And my current favourite, the lovely, loungy ballad 'Rangmanch Ye Duniya Sari'.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Baby Ho Gayi Hain Jawan
2. Kishore Kumar: Ham Bolega To Bologe Keh Bolta Hai
3. Asha Bhosle: Saat Mare Aur Sattrah Ghayal
4. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Ho Jata Hai Pyar
5. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Yeh Time Time Ki Baat
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Rangmanch Ye Duniya Sari

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Kalyanji Anandji: Kalicharan (1975) / Sapan Chakravarty: 36 Ghante (1974)

Another batch of EPs, and for all their shortcomings (literally) I am rather fond of the format. Kalyanji Anandji's 'Kalicharan' is highlighted by the wonderful 'Yeh Pal Chanchal Kho Na Dena', featuring moogs stabs, great instrumental interludes and a lovely melody; incidentally available in all it's full length, high quality, picturized glory on Mister Naidu's latest Helen compilation. The EP's remaining tracks aren't that interesting... nice, but forgettable.



'36 Ghante' is a recent acquisition, purchased after discovering and very much liking Sapan Chakravarty's 'Naya Nasha' from the year before. I was curious to find out what else he'd done. I wouldn't go as far as to say that I needn't have bothered, but this particular effort is considerably less exciting. 'Jane Aaj Kya Hua' is pleasant enough, and the underlying guitar in 'Chup Ho Aaj Kaho Kya Hai Baat' is pretty cool, but that's it. I still want to hear more from him though.

The film is being reviewed today over at MemsaabStory btw, go check that out.

Track listing, Kalicharan:
1. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Tum Jano Tum Jano Ya Ham Janen
2. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Yeh Pal Chanchal Kho Na Dena
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Ja Re Ja O Harjai
4. Anuradha, Kanchan & Chorus: Ek Bata Do, Do Bate Char

Track listing, 36 Ghante:
1. Mukesh: Yahan Bandhu Aate Ko Hai Jana
2. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Jane Aaj Kya Hua
3. Kishore Kumar: Chup Ho Aaj Kaho Kya Hai Baat
4. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Teen Lok Par Raj Tihara

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Kalyanji Anandji: Hera Pheri (1976)

'Hera Pheri' initially came to my attention due to its title music, Kalyanji Anandji's instrumental reworking of Joe Simon's 'Cleopatra Jones' theme. Both original and copy are fantastic blaxploitation workouts, and the latter is undeniably this album's selling point. That said, I'm very fond of Asha Bhosle's contributions to the soundtrack as well; the upbeat and funky 'Aapka Sarkar Kya Kuchh', and the suggestive, sultry sounding 'Mujhe Pyar Me Khath'. There's a great sense of drama inherent in both.

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Kishore Kumar & Mahendra Kapoor: Dialogue - Waqt Ki Hera Pheri Hai
3. Asha Bhosle: Dialogue - Mujhe Pyar Me Khath
4. Kishore Kumar: Dialogue - Barson Purana Yeh Yaarana
5. Asha Bhosle: Dialogue - Aapka Sarkar Kya Kuchh
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Dialogue - Kaun Anjame Ulfat

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Kalyanji Anandji: Ek Haseena Do Diwane (1971)

Another fine effort from the Shah brothers. Peppy and poppy in tone, mostly; check out 'Aaja Ya Aajane De Paas' and 'Do Qadam Tum Bhi Chalo'. And the fab Northern Soul instrumental serving as an intro to 'Yeh Nach Wach Kya Hai'; I kind of wish they'd made it into a separate track. Luckily the subsequent Rafi song is good as well.

Curiously, my copy of 'Ek Haseena Do Diwane' is pressed under licence in Barbados. And I recall reading somewhere that this soundtrack was in fact only available in/from the West Indies, initially. Very bizarre, if at all true.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Aaja Ya Aajane De Paas
2. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Do Qadam Tum Bhi Chalo
3. Manna Dey: Hare Rama
4. Mukesh: Do Qadam Tum Na Chale
5. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Nach Wach Kya Hai
6. Asha Bhosle: Prem Pujarin Mang Men Bharke

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Kalyanji Anandji: Bluff Master (1962)

Kalyanji Anandji again, old style. Predictably, 'Bluff Master's [review] main attraction is the 'Title Music', a fun, jaunty, rockin' dance number with Latin flourishes. A couple of the songs deserve mention as well though... 'Jabse Tujhe Jaan Gayi' is high drama with a galloping beat, castanets and lashing whips; 'Ae Dil Ab Kahin Na Ja' has a gorgeous melody and an exotic, atmospheric feel; and the sitar based 'Bedardi Daghabaaz' sounds trippy (yes I know, an anachronism), and very pretty.

I like this one.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Govinda Aala Re Aala
2. Mukesh: Socha Tha Pyar
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Jabse Tujhe Jaan Gayi
4. Hemant Kumar: Ae Dil Ab Kahin Na Ja
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Husn Chala Kuchh Aisi Chaal
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Bedardi Daghabaaz
7. Shamshad Begum & Usha Mangeshkar: Chali Chali Kaisi Hawa Yeh
8. Title Music

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Kalyanji Anandji: Commander (1981)

Kalyanji Anandji's 'Commander' is one of those highly sought after soundtracks that many collectors are/were willing to shell out a sizable amount for. Myself included at one point, although luckily I managed to keep my cool until a reasonably priced copy came along.

So what's all the fuss about? Besides a fantastic looking cover, it's essentially the two electro tracks, 'Itni Jaldi Kya Hai', and 'Dance Music'. And while I do quite like both, I suspect I belong to a minority that considers them somewhat overrated. Not at all bad, just not the hyped-to-high-heavens killers I was expecting. Asha's is quite laidback and loungy, has a cool rhythm pattern and some nice synth bits, and there's an airy vibe to it that I appreciate, but it's dragged down by a mediocre melody. And a most unconvincing male chorus. The instrumental has Donna Summer written all over it, not entirely dissimilar to her 'Love To Love You Baby'. Faked orgasms, sound affects (bird noises) and a cool groove, but lacking in... something. Momentum perhaps. And the same daft sounding chorus, doing its best to quash any sense of eroticism.

As for the rest of the score, it's fairly standard stuff. 'Duniya Wale' is quite pleasant though.

Download and disagree with me.

Track listing:
1. Manhar Udhas & Chorus: Duniya Wale (Part 1)
2. Asha Bhosle, Sushma Shreshta & Mahendra Kapoor: Tu Pappa Ka Beta Hai
3. Dance Music
4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Itni Jaldi Kya Hai
5. Kishore Kumar, Anwar & Chorus: Mere Yaar Bina Pyar
6. Manhar Udhas & Chorus: Duniya Wale (Part 2)

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Kalyanji Anandji: Priya (1970) / Sapan Chakravarty: Naya Nasha (1973)

A bunch of EPs coming up now, having discovered I have quite a few of them left. Pairing might seem (and is) a bit random, but seeing as I've gotten used to posting them in couples...

Two fantastic ones to start off with though. 'Priya' is quite rare I think, which is a shame as the first side (at least) is super. 'Pretty Pretty Priya' is fab Beatlesque pop and will be familiar to those who have the 'Bombshell Baby Of Bombay' compilation from a few years back. 'Na Sun Bura, Dekh Bura, Bol Bura' is almost equally fun, introducing as it does, the Hindi... Chipmunks?! (Monkeys actually).



Sapan Chakravarty worked as an assistant to RD Burman (and apparently actually penned 'Shalimar's 'Baby Let's Dance Together'); the master's influence is certainly noticeble on the stunning 'Naya Nasha' soundtrack. Kishore's charmingly poppy 'Ek Ladki Le Gayi Dil', Asha's immaculately stoned 'Kash Pe Kash Lagane De' and Lata's choppy lounge number 'Aao Kren Baten' are all highlights. In addition to cover artwork to die for.

Anybody know if LPs were released from these films? I'm suspecting not. (But I want them if they were!)

Slightly banged up these EPs I'm afraid, leaving the sound quality somewhat to be desired. But certainly still worth grabbing.

Track listing, Priya:
1. Mahendra Kapoor, Kamal Barot & Teen Bandaren: Na Sun Bura, Dekh Bura, Bol Bura
2. Anand, Prayag & Chorus: Pretty Pretty Priya
3. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Kyon Bheja Sasural
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Mithe Madhu Se

Track listing, Naya Nasha:
1. Kishore Kumar: Ek Ladki Le Gayi Dil
2. Asha Bhosle: Mujhse Aisi Bhool Hui
3. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Kash Pe Kash Lagane De
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Aao Kren Baten

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Kalyanji Anandji: Anjane Mein (1978)

For some reason, I never used to rate 'Anjane Mein' much; however listening to it now I'm thinking it's kind of alright. Both 'O Meri Jaan' and 'Gayi Kaam Se Yeh Ladki' have loads of neat instrumental bits (the singing parts leave me cold though); a nifty mix of east and west. 'Sachchai Ki Ra Men' and 'Jeevan Ke Sab Sukh Paye Too' are typically lovely Lata ballads and 'Dil Ka Rishta Jod Diya Hai' is bouncy pop with a groovy beat. The title track begins like a 60s cop show theme before heading off in a variety of directions; excellent stuff.

Reassessment pays off.

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Kishore Kumar: Gayi Kaam Se Yeh Ladki
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: O Meri Jaan
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jeevan Ke Sab Sukh Paye Too
5. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Dil Ka Rishta Jod Diya Hai
6. Kishore Kumar: Main Jaan Gaya
7. Amit Kumar: Jeevan Ke Sab Sukh Paye Too
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Sachchai Ki Ra Men
9. Cabaret Dance Music

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Kalyanji Anandji: Haadsaa (1982)

I've mentioned a few times that Kalyanji Anandji scores post-1980 usually leave me cold... well, here's an exception. What's good about 'Haadsaa' is the fact that they seem to be exerting themselves again; trying to transcend what by 1982 had become formulaic, and mostly dull. Meaning better songs and melodies, more subtle/less tacky arrangements, and some pretty ace grooves. Hightlights are Amit Kumar's (that's Kishore's lad) 'Bombay Sheher Haadason Ka Sheher Hai' and 'Y.O.G.A.; both catchy, danceable, sonically exciting, and neither becoming overly bombastic. And 'Disco Cammata' of course; wild and tribal, a quintessential Shah brothers instrumental. In fact though, I like the whole album. Even the traditional stuff; Kanchan's 'Hai To Rabba' is gorgeous.

KA's last good one?

Track listing:
1. Amit Kumar & Chorus: Bombay Sheher Haadason Ka Sheher Hai
2. Kanchan: Hai To Rabba
3. Kishore Kumar: Tu Kya Jane
4. Disco Cammata
5. Amit Kumar & Chorus: Y.O.G.A.
6. Anand Kumar C.: Zindagi Yeh Zindagi
7. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Yeh Vaada Karo
8. Amit Kumar & Chorus: Pyar Ka Haadsaa

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