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

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



From what I've been able to find out, the soundtrack to 'Lakhon Men Ek' was only afforded small format releases, including this EP. [Correction: There was in fact an LP release of this too.] I like it; 'Ye Duniya Khel Tamasha' is traditional, percussive, and catchy, and 'Chanda O Chanda' is a sweet pop song, in two versions. Lata's solo one would be my pick of the pair.

Track listing, 'Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi':
1. Suman Kalyanpur & Kishore Kumar: Sunoji Tum
2. Mohd. Rafi: Kholke Ankhen
3. Kishore Kumar: Ek Bottle Hoga
4. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Lelo Chuiyan

Track listing, 'Lakhon Men Ek'
1. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Ye Duniya Khel Tamasha
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Chanda O Chanda
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Chanda O Chanda


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Rahul Dev Burman: Raksha (1981)

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

'Naye Purane Saal Men' certainly has me humming and my feet tapping; kind of fun but the melody sounds... I don't know, a bit simplistic maybe. Midway it samples White Christmas for no apparent reason; perhaps the on-screen party is a Christmas one. 'Main Chalta Hoon Mujhe Jane Do' is similarly cheerful but it's only at the sporadic synth breaks that my ears prick up.

The real highlight is in fact the opening track, the near perfect percussion-driven, moog-augmented lounge-funk cabaret number 'Jani Dilbar Jani'. I keep returning to that. Doesn't Parveen Babi looking stunning in its picturisation? (Didn't she always?)

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Jani Dilbar Jani
2. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Naye Purane Saal Men
3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Main Chalta Hoon Mujhe Jane Do
4. Kishore Kumar: Tere Liye Mere Liye
5. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Mil Gaye Dil Mil Gaye


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Rahul Dev Burman: Phir Kab Milogi (1971/1974) / Do Chor (1972)

These two titles were, until recently, completely unknown to me. I suspect the reason might be that neither were particularly big hits, combined with the fact that the soundtracks never appeared as LPs. Or, maybe I'm simply not as knowledgeable as I think I am...

'Phir Kab Milogi' the movie came out in 1974, though it seems to have been held back a few years as this EP is dated 1971. All four songs are good; my favourites are 'Le Qai Khushbu' which has a great funk-pop vibe, and 'Kahin Karti Hogi' which is a take on the Herb Alpert (among others) track 'The Lonely Bull'. 'Ram Qasam Bura Nahin Manoongi' sounds vaguely familiar too, but at the moment I'm unable to place it.



1972's 'Do Chor' is more of the same. Pleasant pop tunes, unassuming yet still memorable, in that special Burman way. 'Meri Jan Meri Jan' may have borrowed some ideas from Cliff Richard's 'Fall In Love With You', but that's allowed, in Bollywood anyway. For me the EP's highlight is loungy drug number 'Yari Ho Gayi Yar Se'; I'm a sucker for that type of thing.

Track listing, 'Phir Kab Milogi':
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Le Qai Khushbu
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Ram Qasam Bura Nahin Manoongi
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Kahin Karti Hogi
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tum Mujhse Roothe Ho

Track listing, 'Do Chor'
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Kali Palak Teri Gori
2. Kishore Kumar: Meri Jan Meri Jan
3. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Chahe Raho Door
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Yari Ho Gayi Yar Se


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Rahul Dev Burman: Adhikar (1971)

'Adhikar' originally appeared on this blog as an EP, posted some 12 years ago. It seems I kind of liked it at the time, but without being overly impressed. I like the LP better, partly due to it including 'Sharab Nahin Hoon', featuring Asha Bhosle on vocals and Helen on screen. I'm a sucker for those two doing RD Burman songs. Additionally tracks such as 'Koi Mane Ya Na Mane' and 'Tum To Ho Sabke Rakhwale' make more of an impression on me now than they did then, don't ask me why. And 'Fashion Ki Diwani' still sounds pretty irresistible. It looks great too if you can find the film clip (someone pulled it off YouTube before I finished writing this); appealingly mod.

Track listing:
1. Manna Dey: Fashion Ki Diwani
2. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Koi Mane Ya Na Mane
3. Asha Bhosle: Sharab Nahin Hoon
4. Mohd. Rafi: Rekha O Rekha
5. Asha Bhosle: Tum To Ho Sabke Rakhwale
6. Mohd. Rafi: Jina To Hai Usika (Qawwali)


If the above post gave you some joy or value, if you've ever been inspired by the contents of this blog, please consider leaving a tip. In addition to showing your support, you could gain access to currently unavailable downloads. Or why not buy a copy of MFT3F's unique guide to 100 Bollywood Soundtracks Every Music Lover Ought To Hear? Either way, you'll be letting me know the work I've put into this matters to you, and you'll be motivating me to continue.

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Rahul Dev Burman: Bond 303 (1984)

RD Burman acquisitions are few and far between these days; a combination of already owning a lot of his best scores and the scarcity (and exorbitant asking prices) of those I don't. 'Bond 303' had been on my want list since almost day one, so I was pleased to finally acquire a copy without having to rob a bank first.

It's an enjoyable album, especially considering the vintage – mid-80s was a bit past Burman's prime. 'Main Hoon Lilly' seems to be most people's favourite and I'm not one to disagree; funky in a laid-back sort of way; titillating rhythm, loads of fun instrumental breaks and a stellar melody. And the triumvirate of RD, Asha Bhosle, and Helen on screen always did tend to work.

I'm also fond of 'Dil Agar Jawan Ho To' with it's cool jazzy vibe interspersed with disco bits. 'Main Tera Diwana' and 'Ab Jo Hoga So Hone Do' are nice too, both poppily upbeat. And the inclusion of instrumentals are usually a plus on Burman soundtracks; three of them here, all simply entitled 'Music'. The first is a compelling piece of electro-funk, the second a miniature suite of sorts; loud, dramatically orchestrated (reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann) yet ingeniously initiated by drum and bass-styled electronica. The last is a mysterious but groovy sounding snippet (a mere 30 seconds) comprised of just drums, bass guitar and a piano. I find them all excellent.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Raaste Men Kal Ek Ladki Mili
2. Kishore Kumar, Rahul Dev Burman & Annette: Dil Agar Jawan Ho To
3. Amit Kumar, Suresh Wadkar & Kalyani: Main Tera Diwana
4. Music
5. Asha Bhosle: Main Hoon Lilly
6. Music
7. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Ab Jo Hoga So Hone Do
8. Music

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Rahul Dev Burman: Madhosh (1973) / Red Rose (1980)

Apologies for long intervals between posts of late. I haven't very many soundtracks left to feature, and so as not to run out too quickly I'll be portioning them out a bit. At least until I'm able to acquire more. Right now though, a couple of RD Burman scores that I believe only came out on 7".

'Madhosh' [review] is the best of them; that’s hardly surprising given the vintage. Its main draw is the wonderfully energetic (and still very popular) cabaret number 'Gulabi Chehra' (which has made an appearance here earlier) but there are other highlights; 'Qasam Khao Tum Ek Bar' and 'Mere Chhota Sa Dil' are particularly great. I'm not sure why this particular score wasn't afforded a full LP; these songs in their full length and with an added instrumental or two (the title music is stellar) would have been a classic soundtrack.



1980's 'Red Rose' [review] has a much more restrained sound. Only two tracks, which at least means they're not truncated (to fit the 7" format), but they're hardly among RD's best. That said, 'Tere Bin Jeena Kya' is a song I'm likely to give a few extra spins. And again, I feel someone missed a trick by not releasing the film's rather cool title music.

Track listing, 'Madhosh':
1. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Qasam Khao Tum Ek Bar
2. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Mera Chhota Sa Dil
3. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Gulabi Chehra
4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Jaan Mare Balmu Hamar
5. Asha Bhosle: Nathni More Dole Re

Track listing, 'Red Rose'
1. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Kisi Ki Sadayen
2. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Tere Bin Jeena Kya


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Rahul Dev Burman: Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973)

'Jheel Ke Us Paar' [review] is a prime-period RD Burman score that, while certainly worthwhile, doesn't quite match up to his finest works. There are likeable songs on it but I'm not convinced any of them will stick with me for very long. If pressed for favourites I might choose Lata Mangeshkar's 'Chal Chalen Ai Dil', 'Kah Rahe Hain' and 'Do Ghoont'; all really good (I like Asha Bhosle's 'Hae Bichhuwa' too) so it does feel kind of strange that I'm not raving about this soundtrack more than I am. But then there's the knowledge that Burman made 'Anamika' and 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat' at around the same time, and well, those are some benchmarks.

But hey, you know what? Comparisons are daft so I'm just going to go ahead and enjoy it anyway. Feel free to join me.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Babul Tere
2. Asha Bhosle: Hae Bichhuwa
3. Kishore Kumar: Yeh Nazare
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Do Ghoont
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Kah Rahe Hain
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Chal Chalen Ai Dil


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Rahul Dev Burman: Manzil Manzil (1984)

Sticking with mid-80s Rahul Dev Burman, here's one more containing a few decent if not entirely convincing tracks.

'Manzil Manzil' is quite varied; opener 'He Baba' is an energetic disco tune with some appeal, whereas the final 'O Meri Jaan' has a soft, soothing, almost dreamy sound. They might be the soundtrack's best know tracks. In-between we get a couple of cabaret (or cabaret-type) numbers. 'Mitwa' is OK but I prefer 'Yeh Naina Yaad Hai' for its odd droney quality and inclusion of a short harmonica bit nicked from Ennio Morricone's 'Man with a Harmonica' from 'Once Upon a Time in the West', hardly a bad thing.

There are interesting details in the arrangements and instrumentation throughout (I also like the countrified ending to 'Lut Gaye Ham To Rahon Men'), but that's not enough to make a really great score. Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal in their book 'R.D. Burman - The Man, The Myth' describes it as "more technique than feeling". I'll go along with that.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: He Baba
2. Shailendra Singh: Jhalak Dikhake
3. Asha Bhosle & Shailendra Singh: Lut Gaye Ham To Rahon Men
4. Asha Bhosle & Shailendra Singh: O Meri Jaan
5. Asha Bhosle & Shailendra Singh: Yeh Naina Yaad Hai
6. Asha Bhosle: Mitwa
7. Chandrashekar Gadgil & Chorus: Man Re Pyar Hari Ke
8. Shailendra Singh: O Meri Jaan

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Rahul Dev Burman: Zameen Aasman (1983)

'Zameen Aasman' might be one primarily for RD Burman completists. And to be honest I don't have a lot to say about it. Its songs are OK but none can be described as classics or essential. 'Mano-Mano Ya Na Mano' is kind of catchy, comes with a pleasant Caribbean flavour and a surprising country rock intro. 'Pyar Nagma Hai' (both versions identical I think) contains some nice synth bits and has an energetic, new-wavy feel to it, and the breezy 'Maine Dil Diya' rolls pleasantly along to a light ska rhythm. The loungy, rather elegant sounding 'Aisa Sama Na Hota' is the score's best track, the one I'm most likely to come back to.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Mano-Mano Ya Na Mano
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Zameen Aasman Nahin Milte
3. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Pyar Nagma Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Maine Dil Diya
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Aisa Sama Na Hota
6. Asha Bhosle & R.D. Burman: Pyar Nagma Hai

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Asha Bhosle with Rahul Dev Burman: Live At Royal Albert Hall, London (1979)

'Live At The Royal Albert Hall' is a fabulous document of Asha Bhosle's first ever performances in London, on June 19th and 20th 1978. Backed by Rahul Dev Burman and accompanied by friends and family, it's a veritable greatest hits package of classic tunes from classic films. RD's own compositions are prominent (songs from 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat', 'Caravan', 'Sholay' 'Teesri Manzil', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and more) but the set also features songs by among others S.D. Burman, Ravi, O.P. Nayyar and Shankar Jaikishan. The audience sounds ecstatic, and why wouldn't they be?

Happy new year!

Track listing:
1. An Introduction - Kamal Barot
2. Speech by Asha Bhosle
3. Shloka from Bhagwad Geeta
4. Tora Man Darpan
5. Jhumka Gira Re
6. Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne
7. Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhara
8. Introduction of Shashi Kapoor by Asha Bhosle
9. Shashi Kapoor - A Request for a Song
10. Yeh Ladka Hai Allah
11. Raat Akeli Hai
12. Piya Too Ab To Aja (with Rahul Dev Burman)
13. Mehbooba Mehbooba (with Rahul Dev Burman)
14. Welcome Address by Mr. Peter Brown
15. Ab Ke Baras Bhejo
16. Hamara Gaon Koi Aayega (with Varsha Bhosle)
17. Reshmi Shalwar Kurta Jali Ka (with Varsha Bhosle)
18. Nigahen Milane Ko Jee Chahata Hai
19. Parde Men Rahne Do
20. Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge
21. O Mere Sona
22. Duniya Men (with Rahul Dev Burman)
23. Dum Maro Dum

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Rahul Dev Burman: Bombay To Goa (1972/2012)

Bright, breezy, frisky and fun, 'Bombay To Goa' [review] [2] finds Rahul Dev Burman in characteristically fine form. Perhaps not his most adventurous in terms of sonic exuberance (still a lot going on though), it is nonetheless an ace collection of really good songs.

It begins wonderfully with the cool psychedelic pop of 'Haaye Haaye Yeh Thanda Paani'. 'Dekha Na Haaye Re' and 'Dil Tera Hai Main Bhi Teri Hoon' are (slightly) more traditional sounding; percussive and infectious. De facto title tune ‘O Maheki Maheki Thandi Hawa’ is a straight-up Hindi version of ‘Help Me Rhonda’. Never my favourite Beach Boys song, however its singalong quality lends itself well to Burman's take and the scene in the film it backs. 'Tum Meri Zindagi Mein Kuch', borrowing elements from Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Limelight’ theme, is a lovely ballad, and 'Title Song' is a typically dramatic instrumental; tense and action packed.

The soundtrack's now perhaps best known track is the English language 'Listen To The Pouring Rain', a medley of international hits sung by Usha Iyer. The story goes that lyrics were altered, marginally, in order to avoid copyright hassle. It seems they got away with it. The film clip is great fun and features Usha herself.

To be honest I hadn't actually planned on getting this album. I don't usually look for reissues; however this 2012 release seems to be the first time the soundtrack has been made available in its entirety, at least on vinyl.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Haaye Haaye Yeh Thanda Paani
2. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Dekha Na Haaye Re
3. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: O Maheki Maheki Thandi Hawa
4. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Tum Meri Zindagi Mein Kuch
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Dil Tera Hai Main Bhi Teri Hoon
6. Usha Iyer: Listen To The Pouring Rain
7. Title Song

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Rahul Dev Burman: Kasme Vaade (1978)

'Kasme Vaade' is another one of those RD Burman soundtracks that’s impossible to dislike yet difficult to get really excited by. The songs are kind of nice; 'Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum', 'Gum Sum Kyon Hai' and 'Aati Rahengi Baharen' are poppy and pleasant, 'Mile Jo Kadi Kadi' has a likeable groove (traditional, not Western) and 'Kal Kya Hoga' is a typically Burmanesque mishmash of styles and themes. So what’s wrong then? I’m not sure. It’s hard to explain… perhaps there’s just not enough passion. I have no idea what RD’s brief (or mindset) was for this one, and I may be wrong but I get the sense of it being created on autopilot. It sounds adequate; not particularly great, but good enough.

And is that really good enough?

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum (Part 2)
3. Asha Bhosle: Gum Sum Kyon Hai
4. Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Mile Jo Kadi Kadi
5. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar: Aati Rahengi Baharen
6. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar & Amit Kumar: Aati Rahengi Baharen (Part 2)
7. R.D. Burman & Chorus: Kal Kya Hoga
8. Asha Bhosle & Anand Kumar: Pyar Ke Rang Se

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Rahul Dev Burman: Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1980)

Since rebooting MFT3F (after the initial project was finished) the aim has been to only obtain Bollywood soundtracks that I know or at least think I'll like. Inevitably though, the odd mispurchase will sometimes occur. Like with 'Barsaat Ki Ek Raat'.  In my defense it was part of larger lot I recently acquired; I probably wouldn't have given this soundtrack much thought otherwise. Or I'd have at least checked it out first. Because truth be told, it's a bit of a dud.

The melodies are forgettable and the arrangements mostly uninteresting. A cool synth and flute based intro gives hope for 'Haye Wo Pardeshi', and it's by far the best song on the album, but still a bit underwhelming. At least when you know what RD Burman was capable of. One of his lesser known soundtracks for a reason I guess; one for the completists.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Apne Pyar Ke Sapne
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Nadiya Kinare Pe
3. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Manchali O Manchali
4. Kishore Kumar: Kaliram Ka Dhol
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Haye Wo Pardeshi

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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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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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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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Rahul Dev Burman: Zehreela Insaan (1974)

Rahul Dev Burman, mid 70s, great looking luridly coloured cover art; you know that can't be bad. And yet, 'Zehreela Insaan' is a soundtrack I'm finding harder than usual to get excited over. Something about the songs; they're nice and all, but none of them reach out and grab me with the kind of immediacy I've come to expect from a Burman soundtrack, mid 70s. Oh, there are nice instrumental touches scattered around, there's always that, but I've played this album a dozen times lately and none of the melodies really stick. No hooks. I keep thinking 'Ye Silsila', 'Suno Kahani' and 'O Hansni' will grow on me – the latter in particular has an excellent intro – but annoyingly my interest seems to wane before they end. That shouldn't happen. Maybe I'm spoiled.

Luckily the album has a great 'Title Music', action packed and dramatic, and also featured on the mixtape I made earlier this year. Weirdly, the actual title music as heard in the film is completely different. What is that all about?

Track listing:
1. Shailendra Singh: Saanp Se Badhke
2. Asha Bhosle & Shailendra Singh: Mere Dil Se Ye Nain
3. Asha Bhosle: Ye Silsila
4. Title Music
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Suno Kahani
6. Kishore Kumar: O Hansni
7. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Dum Tumhari Dum

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Rahul Dev Burman: Nikammaa (1976)

Here's one more with a somewhat vague history. From what I'm able to make out, there was no film entitled 'Nikammaa' released in or around 1976, the year given on this soundtrack LP. There is however one by that title and with the right songs dated 1983. To confuse things further I've seen mentions of what appears to be the same film using the alternate title 'Jaan-E-Jaan', but from 1979. The Internet isn't being very helpful; none of the above are listed on the IMDb or similar places. Lucky for me then it's the music that concerns me, not the films. (But feel free to enlighten me, anyone who can.)

Not that this is among Burman's best soundtracks. Songs such as 'Koi Shama Shishe Ki Laya', 'Jane Ja Duniya Se Na Dar' and 'Gao Senorita Geet Pyar Ke' all have their share of nice instrumental details making them worth a listen or two, but in terms of melody they're not very memorable. Asha Bhosle's lively 'Tere Bina Kabhi Ek Pal' is more fun to listen to, and the atmospheric 'Tere Bina Main Kuchh Bhi Nahin' is quite lovely, but all in all this seems to me to be a score done on autopilot.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Koi Shama Shishe Ki Laya
2. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Jane Ja Duniya Se Na Dar
3. Asha Bhosle: Tere Bina Kabhi Ek Pal
4. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Tere Bina Main Kuchh Bhi Nahin
5. Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Gao Senorita Geet Pyar Ke
6. Kishore Kumar: Koi Shama Shishe Ki Laya

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Rahul Dev Burman: Aaj Raat Ko / R.D. Burman's Best (1975)

It confused me, initially, that I couldn't find mention of a Burman-scored film entitled 'Aaj Raat Ko' on any movie web site anywhere. But then I discovered that while made (or at least shot) in 1975, it didn't actually come out until 1988, under the new name 'Faisla'. I'm not aware of the reasons behind the lengthy delay and title change, nor do I know if the soundtrack album was released prior to the production being aborted or if Polydor simply figured "well we have these new RD songs, might has well put them out there". The latter would at least explain the fact that the film's score only constitutes half an album.

To be honest, it's not a very memorable one. The only song I really like is Asha Bhosle's atmospheric, psyche-tinged 'Koi To Aye Ga Re'; that one is quite lovely. I'm unable to generate much enthusiasm over the rest. Perhaps additional and better songs were planned, I don't know. Side 2 is made up of four of 'R.D. Burman's Best'. Which, while by all means decent, they're not. I've posted most of them earlier.

Track listing, Aaj Raat Ko:
1. Asha Bhosle: Andheri Hai Raat Sajan
2. Mohd. Rafi: Champa Khilee Dar
3. Asha Bhosle: Koi To Aye Ga Re
4. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Dulha Raja Mera

Track listing, R.D. Burman's Best:
5. Kishore Kumar: Ye Jawani Hai Diwani (from Jawani Diwani)
6. Kishore Kumar & Sushma Shreshta: A Mere Bete (from Aa Gale Lag Jaa)
7. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Dil Machal Raha Hai (from Khalifa)
8. Kishore Mumar: Dheere Dheere Naach Re Jogan (from Bhola Bhala)

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Rahul Dev Burman: Deewaar (1975)

It shouldn't have come as a surprise to me, but it did. Collecting and listening to Bollywood soundtracks for more than a decade, blogging about them for four years; it wasn't until after I'd completed MFT3F's initial run that I first heard (heard of) what has to be one of RD Burman's greatest songs. Fellow enthusiast and frequent commenter Harshi posted a link to 'I Am Falling In Love' on Facebook, and from the first listen I was awed. It really is an otherworldly track; a haunting, melancholy sounding bossa nova tune; exquisitely arranged (listen to the piano, the percussion, the trumpet solo) and beautifully sung (in English) by the comparatively unknown Ursula Vaz. Midway it segues into a piece of action-packed, jazzy funk-rock; equally amazingly arranged. From start to finish, it is pure perfection.

I'd come across copies of 'Deewaar' [review] [2] [3] before but had never been tempted to buy one. I'd heard it, and didn't find anything on it particularly exciting. What I didn't know at the time was that 'I Am Falling In Love' had been left out of the commonly available LP, in favour of a side's worth of "power packed dialogues". A seemingly ridiculous decision on the record label's part, but for the fact that the song only served as background music to one particular scene in the film. It was included on a limited edition all-music version of the soundtrack, on an equally rare 2xLP set, and (shortened) on an EP, but these are extremely hard to find and always command high prices; beyond my general limits. So I was extremely pleased to obtain a Malaysian pressing of the all-music version (albeit one of dubious legality), still expensive but considerably less so than the Indian. It lacks the original cover art, which I kind of miss, but you can't always have everything. [Update: Now with original cover art.] A superb Burman song, in its full length, and I think in the best quality currently available… more than enough.

Track listing:
1. Bhupinder & Chorus: Idhar Ka Maal Udhar
2. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Koi May Jaye
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Main Ne Tujhe Manga Hai
4. Manna Dey: Deewaaron Ke Jungal
5. Ursula: I Am Falling In Love
6. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Kehdoon Tumhen

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