Rahul Dev Burman: Mr. Romeo (1974) / Humshakal (1974)

RB Burman in Lounge, two EPs worth, both excellent. Pretty much every track on these has a cool and laidback, quintessential 70s vibe to it; pretty much all of them are great. 'Yahan Nahin Kahoongi' and 'Hey Mujhe Dil De' (from 'Mr. Romeo') and 'Dekho Mujhe Dekho' and 'Hum Tum Gum Sum' (from 'Humshakal') are my current faves... but that could change. I really wouldn't mind getting hold of full LP versions of these two soundtracks.

Track listing, Mr. Romeo:
1. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Yahan Nahin Kahoongi
2. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Na Soenge Na Sone Denge
3. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Bhupinder, Rahul Dev Burman & Chorus: Hey Mujhe Dil De
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Ja Re Ja Tose Na Boloongi

Track listing, Humshakal:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Kahe Ko Bulaya
2. Asha Bhosle: Dekho Mujhe Dekho
3. Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Hum Tum Gum Sum
4. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Jhoomo Tum Nacho

Shankar Jaikishan: Janwar (1965) / Pyar Mohabbat (1966)

'Dekho Abto' is a song I find hard to qualify. Liking it, or not, I suppose, would depend a bit on whether one thinks that any foreign or exotic version of an overly familiar Beatles song is a good thing or not. And possibly how one responds to a 35 year-old sporting an ill-fitting Beatles wig in a picturization verging on parody. Personally I'm unmoved, but that may have to do with the fact that I'm not that much of a Beatles fan in the first place. It's kind of fun, but hardly an essential Shankar Jaikishan moment. Of the tracks on 'Janwar' [review], I find the Caribbean flavoured 'Tumse Achha' more to my liking. (No less silly a clip though).

'Pyar Mohabbat' [review] I'm really only posting for reference; the entire side one is marred by crap sound and thus a bit useless. A shame, as Sharda's 'Hello, Hello, Sun Sun Sun' is a sweet little charmer. But on the bright side, the LP version of the soundtrack can be found over at My Music Movies & Mutterings.

Track listing, Janwar:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Lal Chhadi
2. Mohd. Rafi: Meri Mohabbat
3. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle, S.D. Batish, S. Balbir & Chorus: Dekho Abto
4. Mohd. Rafi: Tumse Achha

Track listing, Pyar Mohabbat:
1. Sharda: Hello, Hello, Sun Sun Sun
2. Sharda: Tere Siva
3. Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Mil Gai Mil Gai Mil Gai Re
4. Mohd. Rafi: Aap Naraz Khuda Khair Kare

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

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

O.P. Nayyar: Kismat (1968)

Here's a rather good O.P. Nayyar score, on which it's apparent why he was often referred to as the King of Rhythm. All sorts of rhythms. There's not much to dislike on 'Kismat' [review]; highlights include the swing flavoured rock'n'roll number 'One Two Three Baby', the old timey country song 'Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale' (featuring, it seems, The Monkees), the tipsily sung lounge track 'Aao Huzoor Tumko', and a fabulous Title Music.

An odd pressing incidently; I have no idea where the Akash label came from. Possibly the Netherlands.

Track listing:
1. Mahendra Kapoor: Aankhon Men Qayamat Ke Kajal
2. Asha Bhosle & Shamshad: Kajra Mohabbat Wala
3. Title Music
4. Asha Bhosle: Aao Huzoor Tumko
5. Mahendra Kapoor: Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale
6. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: One Two Three Baby

Rahul Dev Burman: The Train (1970)

For several reasons, 'The Train' [review] is a landmark record. It was the first ever Indian soundtrack album to be released on the Polydor label, ending a decades long near monopoly on the part of the Gramophone Company of India (EMI/HMV). The latter was obviously very annoyed by this intrusion, and in fact counteracted by releasing an EP of cover versions of the film's songs. Unsuccessfully, I'd imagine.

But more importantly, this is the score on which RD Burman first introduced his groundbreaking, Asha sung/Helen performed (usually), nightclub cabaret style. 'O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha' has all the markings: A meaty backbeat, frenzied guitar licks, whirling strings, hard horn blasts, trippy organ breaks, wild bongo drums, mad sonic experimentation… and a flirtatiously sung tune featuring RD himself doing that kooky Mehbooba thing with his voice. Totally over the top, and terrific. There had been cabaret songs before this, but RD was taking it to a whole other level. And imitators would soon follow suit. (Sadly, the album doesn't include the amazing sounding background music that serves as the track's intro in the video, nor other instrumental pieces. Check the review linked to above for tasters.)

There's plenty more good tracks as well. 'Gulabi Ankhen' is wonderfully catchy pop with a great groove, the percussive 'Saiyan Re Saiyan' is similarly impossible to sit still to (I adore the instrumental build starting at around 1:25), the bossa-flavoured 'Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya' is Lata Mangeshkar at her loveliest, and 'Maine Dil Abhi Diya Nahin' is another cabaret number - less out there than 'O Meri Jaan' but nevertheless fabulous.

Incidentally, this is the only album I'm familiar with where Rafi is credited with his unabbreviated, if unusually spelled, first name.

Track listing:
1. Mohamed Rafi: Gulabi Ankhen
2. Asha Bhosle & Rahul Dev Burman: O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha
3. Asha Bhosle: Saiyan Re Saiyan
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya
5. Mohamed Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal
6. Asha Bhosle: Maine Dil Abhi Diya Nahin

Shankar Jaikishan: Chhotisi Mulaqat (1968)

Here's a great one from Shankar Jaikishan. 'Chhotisi Mulaqat' has the duo doing what I like most about them, mixing lively rock'n'roll, breezy pop and gorgeous melodies. Highlights? Take your pick: The exuberant title track, Asha's super sweet 'Mat Ja Mat Ja', Rafi's jumpy 'Na Mukhda Mod Ke Jao', Lata's beautiful, lounge-tinged 'Jeevan Ke Do Raahe Pe'... and everything in between. Near flawless, in fact.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Chhotisi Mulaqat
2. Mohd. Rafi: Aai Chand Ki Zebai
3. Asha Bhosle: Mat Ja Mat Ja
4. Mohd. Rafi: Na Mukhda Mod Ke Jao
5. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tujhe Dekha, Tujhe Chaha
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Jeevan Ke Do Raahe Pe
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Kal Nahin Paaye Jiya

Sonik Omi: Doctor X (1971)

The intriguingly titled 'Doctor X' is a soundtrack that, to the best of my knowledge, doesn't turn up very often. The same thing goes for the film I think; I can't even find an entry on IMDb, never mind locating clips on YouTube. But it happens to be my favourite Sonik Omi score (admittedly I've only heard a few), featuring a couple of really cool tracks.

The overall vibe is upbeat and fun. 'Sukh Dukh Men Rahenge Saath', 'Badi Khuski Hui Aap Se Mil Kar' and 'Roop Ki Woh Taksal' are essentially traditionally instrumented, but with a nice poppy feel. And the two cabaret-type tracks are wonderful. 'Ye Raat Bhi Jawan' has a wild jazz intro and seductive melody (reminsicent of Laxmikant Pyarelal's 'Aa Jane Jaan'), and 'Luk Chhup Jana' is soul-jazz, light funk and breezy mod-pop rolled into one.

Perhaps Sonik Omi weren't the most original of Bollywood music directors; much of what I've heard by them sounds as if it could have been written by higher profiled ones. But to paraphrase a recently submitted comment, a few posts down: Who cares who wrote it, I'm just glad I can listen to it.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Sukh Dukh Men Rahenge Saath
2. Asha Bhosle: Ye Raat Bhi Jawan
3. Asha Bhosle: Luk Chhup Jana
4. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Badi Khuski Hui Aap Se Mil Kar
5. Kishore Kumar: Roop Ki Woh Taksal
6. Mahendra Kapoor: Khada Hua Hai Ashiq Tera

(The next post won't be for a couple of weeks; I'm off on holiday.)

Naushad: Amar (1954/1977)

Although Naushad isn't among the music directors I actively look for, there are a few of his scores I rate highly. I've posted one of them before; here's another.

To my ears, 'Amar' [review] falls into the same general category as 'Detective' and 'Chhalia', full of enchanting melodies, exotic arrangements and old world charm. It's hard to pick highlights, but check out 'Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata', 'Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai' and 'Na Shikwa Hai Koi' for starters; all wonderful. And the gorgeously evocative 'Dance Music' is one of my favourite Bollywood instrumentals. Is it just because I've played it so often that it sounds particularly familiar, or has it been sampled somewhere?

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata
2. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Insaf Ka Mandir Hai Yeh
3. Asha Bhosle: Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Umangon Ko Sakhi
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Janewale Se Mulaqat
6. Dance Music
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Tere Sadqe Balam
8. Asha Bhosle: Ek Baat Kahoon Mere Piya
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Khamosh Hai Khewanhar Mera
10. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Shikwa Hai Koi
11. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Milta Gham To

Sachin Dev Burman: Jewel Thief (1967)

In my mind, this soundtrack always gets filed next to 'Teesri Manzil'. Maybe it's because I acquired both at around the same time; maybe it's because they're of the same (approximate) vintage and style. Or maybe it's because both are by RD Burman. Yes, Sachin Dev is the credited music director, but Pancham is all over this. And I'm not complaining; 'Jewel Thief' [review] [2] [3] is a charmer from start to finish.

My favourite tracks are Asha Bhosle's classy cabaret number (and wonderful Helen showcase) 'Baithen Hain Kya Uske Pas', and the super groovy, John Barry-meets-Lalo Schifrin-in-Bombay type 'Dance Music'. That shouldn't surprise anyone. Another highlight is the trippy, tribal sounding 'Othon Men Aisi Baat', from the opening screech of a trumpet to its evocative melody. And in between there's the feelgood pop of 'Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara', 'Aasman Ke Neeche' and the gorgeous 'Raat Akeli Hai'.

(My Music, Movies & Mutterings posted this score a few weeks back; go there for another take on it. In fact, go there anyway.)

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar: Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Roola Ke Gaya Sapna Mera
3. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Aasman Ke Neeche
4. Asha Bhosle: Baithen Hain Kya Uske Pas
5. Dance Music
6. Asha Bhosle: Raat Akeli Hai
7. Lata Mangeshkar, Bhupendra & Chorus: Othon Men Aisi Baat
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Dil Pukare

Bappi Lahiri: Zakhmee (1974)

Three words: 'Nothing Is Impossible'. I'm almost tempted to leave this write-up at that; I reckon it's what Bappi Lahiri was thinking when scoring the centerpiece of 'Zakhmee'. Years before he became the king of cheesy disco, he took Burmanesque cabaret, garage rock and lounge, threw it all into a pot, mashed it up, turned everything inside out, and proceeded to record the resulting crazyness during a wild, drunken party. By the sound of it anyway. The loopiest Bollywood track I know of; it's fabulous!

And it might make it easy to overlook the rest of the album. Which would be a shame, as that means you'd miss out on (and I wouldn't get the chance to post the videos to) great songs like 'Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani' and 'Jalta Hai Jiya Mera'. So don't.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani
2. Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi, Bappi Lahiri & Chorus: Nothing Is Impossible
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Jalta Hai Jiya Mera
4. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Dil Men Holi Jal Rahi Hai
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Sushama Shreshta: Aao Tumhen Chand Pe Lejayen

Rahul Dev Burman: Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981)

(The lovely Greta over at MemsaabStory is posting her review of the actual film today. Make sure you head over there; double your fun!)

'Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai' is RD Burman in 80s disco mode; something of an acquired taste. Truth be told, had it been my first meeting with Bollywood soundtracks, this blog wouldn't have existed; I'd never have delved further. More often than not I find Hindi disco too tacky, too tinny, not funky or dirty enough. I also have issues with the vocals; large, booming ones like Kishore's and RD's own, for all their qualities, aren't suited for it.

That said, this is Burman, so there will be redeeming features. There's a shortage of really remarkable, fully formed tracks on this album, but as almost always there are instrumental twists and turns to enhance even the the most pedestrian of songs. 'Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka' and 'Bolo Bolo kuchh To Bolo' (the latter including a nod to 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat's wonderful 'Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne') should therefore warrant a few listens. There's plenty to sample for those who dabble in that sort of thing.

My favourite here is probably 'Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun'. More traditionally Indian sounding than the above, but with an infectious groove, subtle strings and interludes featuring what sounds like an electronically enhanced flute. Nice.

Track listing:
1. R.D. Burman & Chorus: Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka
2. Shailendra Singh: Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun
3. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi, Rishi Kapoor & Padmini Kolhapure: Puchho Na Yaar Kya Hua
4. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Bolo Bolo kuchh To Bolo
5. Asha Bhosle, Shailendra Singh, Rishi Kapoor & Chorus: Pari Ho Asmani Tum

Rahul Dev Burman: Salaam Memsaab (1978)

Up until recently, this soundtrack was on my Bollywood want list. Now, after having obtained a copy, I'm not sure why. Not that I dislike 'Salaam Memsaab'; it does have its moments, but it's not really what I'd call an essential Burman score.

There's the instrumental of course; they tend to be worthwhile. It's quite long for a change, comprising two very different themes. The first has bongos, panting, a cool organ... and John the Playboy's mum telling him to come back; the second is pure schmaltz with a European feel. 'Tera Kaha Naub Be Kiya' is pleasant enough; it starts off great, has a nice Latin feel and a few disco touches towards the end, but ultimately not very exciting. The album's highlight is 'Tum Bhi Meri Jaan'; it sounds like a cabaret number though I can't be sure as there doesn't seem to be any clips from the film on YouTube. Also multi-faceted, with a spy jazz intro, a swing-based main part (there's a moog in there as well) and a bit of bop towards the end.

Maybe I'll hang on to it.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain
2. Asha Bhosle: Tera Kaha Naub Be Kiya
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain
4. Music
5. Kishore Kumar: Jaane Wale Sunta Ja
6. Asha Bhosle: Tum Bhi Meri Jaan
7. Mohd. Rafi & Bhupinder: Na Sharab Se Koi Vaasta
8. Kishore Kumar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1970)

Take a look at the above cover. Click on it, view it in full size, and tell me what the hell is going on in that picture, because based on it, 'Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli' looks like one bizarre, demented film. A woman dressed as a cobra, a menacing looking guy in a devil cap, another sporting a swan wig and peacock feathers, and chorus girls in... what, anti-radiation helmets? All painted in a palette of lurid colours. Chances are, I want to see this.

And Laxmikant Pyarelal's score only strengthens the feeling; it's one of their best. While rooted in traditional Indian music (very few typically western elements, no funk, no Asha, no Rafi), it really is something else. Sparse, percussive, weird... and beautiful. Picking album highlights usually isn't a problem, but this particular soundtrack might be best listened to as a whole.

However, if I must... 'Jal Bin Machhli' and 'Kajra Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke'; two gorgeous Lata Mangeshkar songs, sprinkled with weird sound effects and interludes. 'Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi'; dramatic, urgent, and featuring an ominous sounding male chorus. 'O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai'; the last part consists of stunning, over-the-top orchestral experimentation. And there actually is a western element, spaghetti to be precise; I think most of you will recognize the famous Morricone leitmotif put to excellent use on 'Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se'. Fantastic stuff.

Parts of this sounds like a horror music suite. IMDB has the film listed as "romance". Maybe I shouldn't watch it after all...

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jal Bin Machhli
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Kajra Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi
5. Mukesh: Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se
6. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai
7. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Jhoomke Gaye Dil

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Sharafat (1970) / Salil Chowdhury: Mere Apne (1971)

Been a while, sorry about that. Busy days. But here to tide you over until I get back on something approaching a regular schedule are a couple of singles I found in the back of the 7" box.

Neither of the 'Sharafat' [review] songs are particularly noteworthy; 'Pehle Na Dekha' is an OK ballad, but forgettable. 'Mere Apne' [review] is a bit more interesting; 'Hal Chal Thik Thak Hai' is chirpy and kind of sweet, and 'Roz Akel Aae' has a nice, trippy feel to it. No pictures sleeves on either I'm afraid.

BRB.

Track listing, Sharafat:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Pehle Na Dekha
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Raja Jani

Track listing, Mere Apne:
1. Kishore Kumar & Mukesh: Hal Chal Thik Thak Hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Roz Akel Aae

Rahul Dev Burman: Apna Desh (1972)

When I first saw the cover of 'Apna Desh' [review], I knew this was a record I needed to own. It took a while to get - copies always seemed to be snapped up right before my eyes - but after a few years my perseverance paid off. Hell, I even bought and watched the film while waiting (capsule review: It goes on and on, and then has a wonderfully camp last quarter) just to see the cover image in context – it encapsulates so much of what I love about good Bollywood soundtracks; the whole indian/western crossover thing.

And it's a great record, highlighted by the famous 'Duniya Men' (from which the image is taken), probably one of the most frequently blogged Bollywood YouTube clips there is. It's a classic RD Burman number, with all the grooves, licks, details, passion and fun that define his greatest moments. He even sings this one himself.

Additionally, the soundtrack features Asha Bhosle's multifaceted 'Aaja O Mere Raja'. Beginning with a whistle and a cool ska beat, it's sometimes laidback, sometimes dramatic, sometimes playful; always fabulous. 'Rona Kabhi Nahin' is sweet pop with a kid's chorus, and 'Suno Champa' is traditional with a very hummable melody. 'Lelo Lelo Babu Peelo Narial Pani' is both, and lovely.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Kajra Laga Ke
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Lelo Lelo Babu Peelo Narial Pani
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Suno Champa
4. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Rona Kabhi Nahin
5. Asha Bhosle: Aaja O Mere Raja
6. Asha Bhosle & Pancham: Duniya Men

Rahul Dev Burman: Nehle Peh Dehlaa (1976)

This just in, the LP version of 'Nehle Peh Dehlaa'. What I said here then, but with dialogue, an extra qawwali, and all songs are full length. Upgrade at will.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Main Choron Ki Rani
2. Aziz Nazan Qawwal & Chorus: Sunle Too Binati Meri Haji Ali (Qawwali)
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Sawan Ka Maheena Aagaya
4. Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Logon Ki Zuban Pe
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mashooq Apne Shabab Men

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

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 nummer 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

Shankar Jaikishan: April Fool (1964)

'April Fool' is a relatively new acquisition; it's an album I never considered an essential purchase (for reasons long forgotten) but then a real cheap copy came my way so I figured, why not?

It's not bad actually... while not on par with some of Shankar Jaikishan's great rock'n'roll moments from a year or two down the line, it does contain elements of what was to come: 'Aa Gale Lag Ja' has a loungy ballroom feel to it, but driven by frenetic strumming, and the fun and lively 'Mera Naam Rita Christina' includes twangy guitar bits scattered throughout. 'Kehdo Kehdo Jahanse Kehdo' has elements of country & western, rhythmically anyway, in addition to some nice sax interludes. Worth a listen.

And it just dawned on me, this post is 25 days late.

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Mohd. Rafi: Aa Gale Lag Ja
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Naam Rita Christina
4. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tujhe Pyar Karte Nain
5. Mohd. Rafi: Meri Muhabat Pak Muhabat
6. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Kehdo Kehdo Jahanse Kehdo
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Unki Pehli Nazar Kya Asar Kargaye
8. Mohd. Rafi: April Fool Bandaya