Rahul Dev Burman: The Great Gambler (1978)

'The Great Gambler' [title sequence] [review]: A late 70s RD Burman effort, and as is expected of the vintage, lots of interesting stuff going on; great grooves a plenty. There's Oriental drama in 'Raqqasa Mera Naam', folky pop in 'Pahle Pahle Pyar Ki Mulaqatan Yaad Hain', groovy night club stylings in 'Tum Kitne Din Baad Mile', psychedelic exotica in 'Dance Music', and all of the above plus more

Madan Mohan: Hanste Zakhm (1972)

I mentioned a short while back that Madan Mohan made one of my favourite Bollywood albums. Here it is; not the most consistent soundtrack I own, but featuring two tracks that both fall into the 'stop whatever you're doing' category.Mohd. Rafi's 'Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho' is a stunning, psychedelic marvel of a song. Weird, shifting melodies, swirling violins, tight drums, thunder crashes and frenzied

Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 4

It's been a while since I did one of these. So here's volume four. 75+ minutes of fine, fine music. With cover art. Have I left anything out?Merry Christmas.Track listing:1. Uljhan Hazaar Koi Dale (from Chandi Sona)2. Mujhe Maar Daalo (from Geeta Mera Naam)3. Chor Lutera Daku (from Ustad)4. Dil Chhina Chain Churaya (from Dhongee)5. Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (from Naami Chor)6. Mushkil Hai Jeena (

Optimism

When I won my copy of Usha Khanna's 'Honeymoon' some 2 years ago, I bid something like $15, and being the only interested party, ended up paying $7. I'm thinking the person offering this copy for sale is either ridiculously optimistic, or a scammer of unheard of proportions. (I love the 'for the serious collector' bit).And for anyone with even more money to throw away, literally, here's another

Rahul Dev Burman: Mazdoor (1983)

A RD Burman effort from when he wasn't that good anymore, at least not consistently so. To be honest, there's nothing on 'Mazdoor' that excites me; no spectacular arrangements, no mad thumping grooves, no memorable melodies. Except for 'Pahla Pahla Pyar Na Bhoole', which is sort of (schmaltzily) pretty. Plus it's nice to hear someone other than the usual suspects singing for a change. But that's

Naushad: Ram Aur Shyam (1967)

I probably bought this one (cheaply, I hope) for the cover; too bad the music on 'Ram Aur Shyam' [review] isn't quite as good. I'm rather partial to Lata's sweet, pretty 'Maine Kab Tumse Kaha Tha', but that's the only song here I'd really highlight. There's a pleasant latin feel (and nice piano) to 'Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salami Lele', and 'Main Hoon Saaqi Tu Hai Sharabi' and 'Aayee Hai Baharen

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1970)

The next couple of posts, starting with 1970's 'Mehboob Ki Mehndi', are all somewhat lacking in the excitement stakes (got some killers lined up for Christmas though). I sort of like 'Itna To Yaad Jai Mujhe' with its sitars, heavy percussive rhythm and instrumental break a few minutes into the song; the rest just sound monotonous and dull. I remember reading once that 'Ye Jo Chilman Hai' has a

Changed the layout... I was utterly fed up with the old one. It ain't perfect by a long shot; ideally I'd design my own from scratch instead of using an existing template, but being of the lazy persuasion and not really bothered with learning the coding, this will suffice. For now.

Usha Khanna: Hawas (1974)

(This soundtrack is simultaneously being posted on Parties, Sarees and Melodies. Go have a look.)I've yet to properly sink my teeth into the music of Usha Khanna, but each time I hear something of hers, I want to find out more. The last one I posted was excellent, as is 'Hawas'. There's a great, loungy vibe contained within most of the score; psych-tinged, jazz-tinged, pop-tinged - or any

Rajesh Roshan: Des Pardes (1977) / Vishwanath (1978)

   It's been suggested several times lately that I should lend an ear to Rajesh Roshan. Point taken. Unfortunately though, all I have at the moment are these two (rather worn) EPs.'Des Pardes' is the most scratchy, but least interesting. Though not bad. All tracks have an upbeat, pleasant pop feel to them, 'Aap Kahen' with its nifty breaks being my favourite. But nothing that stands out in a big

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jeene Ki Raah (1969)

They can't all be great... 'Jeene Ki Raah' is one of Laxmikant Pyarelal's many not very exciting scores (here in a Pakistani pressing). The traditional sounding 'Aa Mere Hamjoli' is playful enough to warrant a listen, and 'Chanda Ko Dhunde' is pretty, if rather forgettable. The main theme (I'm guessing, as it's featured three times) leaves me cold. So nothing special. Track listing:1. Mohd. Rafi:

Rahul Dev Burman: Jawani Diwani (1972)

It's hard, sometimes, to find new things to say about a RD Burman score, circa 1971-73, that I haven't said before, and that doesn't come across as hyperbole. So I'm tempted to just leave 'Jawani Diwani' here for your almost guaranteed enjoyment, simply adding that 'Nahin Nahin Abhi Nahin' and 'Jane Jan Dhoondta Hun' are among RD's best ever tracks, highlighting what is a near flawless soundtrack

Rahul Dev Burman: Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)

Moving on, and quick... from Geet to Geeta, from naff to nifty; another fab RD Burman score. And whereas most Bollywood soundtracks contain, at best, one instrumental or background music piece, this one has three - all wild, all wonderful. Full of the inventiveness that makes Burman the mad musical genius he was. The first is out-of-control Moogs, dramatic strings and surf guitars; the second is

Jagjit Singh: Prem Geet (1981)

Oh dear. This one's so bland it's annoying.My first inclination was to describe 'Prem Geet' as piss poor, but after another listen (ever the masochist) I've decided I find 'Aao Mil Jayen' just about bordering on mildly tolerable. So perhaps not all that bad then. Not piss poor. Just very, very dull.Anyone?(Now I just have to rephrase the above to make it attractive for eBay...)Track listing:1.

Madan Mohan: Sahib Bahadur (1976)

Same year as the previous two soundtracks, but a change of pace. Madan Mohan is actually responsible for one my favourite scores, containing Lata Mangeshkar's most amazing song... I'll be posting that at a later date.Lata's contribution to 'Sahib Bahadur' is top notch as well though; beautiful and trippy, highlight of the album. 'Yeh Pyar Ka Nasha' is also good; mid-tempo pop with synthy breaks.

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Chailla Babu (1976)

By popular demand (3 requests anyway, which is something of a record), and as the film was reviewed recently at MemsaabStory, here's 'Chailla Babu'.Three top tracks: 'Taxi-Kal Raat Sadak Pe Ek Ladk' has a great fuzzy intro, groovy beat, whoops, giggles, and soaring melody. 'Chailla Mera Chailla' is a lovely mid-tempoed Lata showcase, and 'Yaar Dildar Tujhe Kaisa Chahiye' has heavy drums, cool

Rahul Dev Burman: Chandi Sona (1976)

Another cool Burman score; 'Chandi Sona' has the added bonus (?) of being quite hard to find. Or so I'm told.Best track is 'Dance Music', a quintessential - and great - 70s RD funk instrumental. Next best is 'Uljhan Hazaar Koi Dale', with its long, evocative intro, amazing groove and exotically pyschedelic details. Third best is a toss-up between the lovely 'Socha Tha Main Ne' and the Middle

According to this, I played drums on a Shankar Jaikishan album in 1968. Very strange... but kinda cool!

Rahul Dev Burman: Heeralaal Pannalaal (1978)

I think I may have replied to a comment at one point, saying I didn't have 'Heeralaal Pannalaal'. If so I was wrong, as I do.And it's good. 'Kis Ne Dekha Hai Kal' is the choice cut; funky RD laced with easy listening strings - nifty! (Take a look at the video clip... I reckon Zeenat Arman is drop dead gorgeous an' all, but she can't dance to save her life, can she? Or is that just me?)'O Padosan

Biddu/Rajesh Bhatt/Binjoo Ali: Goonj (1989)

I bought 'Goonj' on the back of the previous one... based on some ridiculous notion of winning streaks; that I'd lucked out with one late 80s disco album so here might be another. Which of course is utter bollocks.As is this soundtrack. Once upon a time, Biddu produced 'Kung Fu Fighting' and wrote a couple of Tina Charles hits. Subsequently he co-scored 'Qurbani' with Kalyanji Anandji. It

Amar Utpal: Shahenshah (1987)

Here's one I quite like, despite it having been made long after what I consider the essential (interesting even) era of Bollywood music ended. And by a composing duo I know nothing about (apparently they weren't very prolific). 'Shahenshah' has an intensity and sense of drama which appeals to me... parts of it I find not entirely dissimilar to Laxmikant Pyarelal's 'Karz'. In spirit anyway; '

The coolest Bollywood-themed blog post ever...

... is here. Amazing fun!The rest of the blog is pretty grand as well.

Shankar Jaikishan: Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970)

One of moderate interest only I think. 'Aap Ko Pahle Bhi' has some cool Hindi/rock'n'roll mash-up bits, 'Chheenk Meri Jan' has sneezes and a nice syncopated rhythm, but that's about it for me. I can't recall when Shankar Jaikishan called it a day, but I suspect 'Tum Haseen Main Jawan' [review] was made just past their prime... I'm not aware of very many good scores by them from the 70s or beyond.

Shankar Jaikishan: Love Marriage (1959/1988)

I don't know exactly when Shankar Jaikishan started employing rock'n'roll stylings in their music - the results of which they are rightfully revered for today, in the West anyway - I would suspect however that 1959's 'Love Marriage' was quite an early outing. And a good one at that.Take 'Tin Kanshtar Peet Peet Kar'. Groove to the wild, manic beat, horns honking, guitars twanging, people yelling

The Magnificent O.P. Nayyar: His Memorable Film Hits (1979)

Following on from the last post, an album that compiles some of O.P. Nayyar's earlier songs. Hits the title says, though I wouldn't really know; I'm sure some of them were. There's some ace stuff on it though: The lovely 'Haath Aaya Hai Jab Se Tera Haath Men' (from 'Dil Aur Mohabbat') with its funny Hawaiian sounding break, the happy 'Piya Piya Piya Mora Jiya Pukare' ('Baap Re Baap') with a bit

O.P. Nayyar: Sambandh (1969)

I haven't posted any O.P. Nayyar previously, which is odd as I have quite a few albums with his name on. And he's an interesting composer... he was among the first to focus on rhythm in an industry that up until the mid 50s had mostly been melody and song based. He was even known as The Rhythm King at one point if I recall correctly. I don't think that's at all apparent on 'Sambandh' though;

Kalyanji Anandji: Chhalia (1960/1986)

More from the Shah brothers, going way back into time this time. And it's a real charmer, sounding sprightly, upbeat and fun. It contains none of the Western elements Kalyanji Anandji became famous for - it was one of their earliest efforts - so for some it'll be an acquired taste, as it was for me. But once you get into to it you'll find gold. Similar to that on 'Detective', which I - and I

Kalyanji Anandji: Vidhaata (1982)

'Vidhaata' seemed to be quite popular among collectors a while back; it's one I personally find hard to get very exited about. There's a nice string-augmented Lata Mangeshkar track ('O Sathi Aa'), two disco stompers from Asha Bhosle ('Udi Baba' and 'Pyar Ka Imtihaan') of which I prefer the second, both on the cheesy side though... and not much else to bother with. I'm willing to bet that a lot of

Rahul Dev Burman: Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980)

I remember the first time I saw mention of this soundtrack, it was being hyped to high heavens. Burman's maddest score, over the top Bollywood mayhem, the dope for beatheads and DJs, stuff to that effect. It could only have been on eBay :-)But 'Alibaba Aur 40 Chor' (a Russian/Indian coproduction) is an enjoyable record, with several good songs... though I would hardly consider them his most

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Geeta Mera Naam (1973)

More Laxmikant Pyarelal from 1973. Which seems to have been a good year for them; in addition to this and 'Bobby' (below) there's also 'Raaste Kaa Patthar' which, if I recall correctly, has some excellent stuff on it and will be posted at a later date.Two tracks highlight 'Geeta Mera Naam' [review]. 'Mujhe Maar Daalo' is a killer; a sado-masochistic fantasy, high on drama, creepy and sleazy,

I'm off on holiday tomorrow morning, so no posts for a bit. But have a look at the gallery for a sneak peek at goodies to come in a few weeks time. :-)

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Bobby (1973)

This one's famous. It's also, if not necessarily jaw droppingly amazing, pretty good fun. With a lot of variety... from the melodious Latin-flavoured easy-pop of 'Main Shair To Nahin', via Punjabi poet/singer Narendra Chanchal's traditional (and excellent) 'Beshak Mandir Masjid Todo', to the manic, bass-laden cabaret number 'Ae Phansa' - as good as that gets without the usually unbeatable

Khaiyyaam: Noorie (1979)

Khaiyyaam again. Who, as has been documented before, is not really my cup of tea. If I had to choose between the three scores of his I own though (this being the last), 'Noorie' might be the one I'd keep.Haven't got all that much to say about it (lots of pretty songs... pretty in the saccharine sense); to be honest I wasn't paying much attention when playing through it again the other day. But

Kalyanji Anandji: Purab Aur Pachhim (1971)

Well whaddya know... upload no. 100! So a treat this time, to celebrate.Apparently, this one's the hen's teeth. There's a regular (ie. single album) version of 'Purab Aur Pachhim' that's fairly easy to come by... this however is the 2xLP version; extremely hard to find. Containing the songs (obviously) but also much of the background music, as well as loads of dialogue. Making it... well, not

Rahul Dev Burman: Jurmaana (1978)

Another Burman quickie. Quickie in the sense that it's a bit of a hurried post, not (necessarily) a rush job from RD. 'Sawan Ke Jhoole' is atmospheric and kind of pretty, the instrumental 'Chhoti Se Ek Kali' has a nice lounge quality (with an endearingly tacky sax included) and is possibly preferable to the vocal version, and 'Nachoon Main Gao Tum' is archetypal Burman pop-funk... nice effects

Rahul Dev Burman: Ishk Ishk Ishk (1974)

Just a brief write-up this time... we're having a heat wave and I don't fancy being stuck inside blogging, yet I don't want another long lapse between posts, so...Burman being bonkers again... everything and the kitchen sink: 'Chal Saathi Chal' begins with a yodel, not necessarily the best of ideas; 'Achhe Bachche Nahin Rote Hain' (ripped off from Rogers & Hammerstein's 'Happy Talk') features

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Aan Milo Sajna (1970)

'Aan Milo Sajna' [review]: More of the same (as below), i.e. pleasant enough but kind of dull. 'Achha To Hum Chalte Hain' and 'Rang Rang Ke Phool Khile' are OK if a bit bland, 'Tere Kaaran Mere Saajan' is nice, sort of, but it's all in one ear and out the other, nothing that really sticks. Best (or least uninteresting) is 'Palat Meri Jaan' for, if nothing else, its Ashaisms. Which isn't a word,

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Anjaana (1970)

A somewhat nondescript Laxmikant Pyarelal score from 1970... 'Hum Baheno Ke Liye' and 'Rim Jhim Ke Geet' are pleasant enough tracks, 'Main Rahi Anjaana' is an OK upbeat number, but there's nothing in terms of really strong melodies or imaginative arrangments to make 'Anjaana' stand out. By the way, the bits with the alternating male/female dialogue on 'Woh Kaun Hai' reminds me of some other

Rahul Dev Burman: Dhongee (1975)

Following on from last week's Burman soundtracks that weren't very good, here's one that is... with apologies for the delay to whoever it was I promised 'Dhongee' more than a year ago.Two tracks highlight this score, 'Dil Chhina Chain Churaya' and 'Hai Re Hai Tera Ghunghta'. Both are drum/percussion based, very rhythmic (syncopated and tribal sounding respectively), giving them a more ethnic feel

Kalyanji Anandji: 5 Rifles (1973) / Naami Chor (1975)

   A couple of Kalyanji Anandji EPs while I'm at it. '5 Rifles' falls more or less into the same category as 'Hasina Maan Jaayegi' below... there are bouncy rock 'n' roll bits in 'Tera Husn Allah Allah', 'Pyar Ke Patang Ki' has a great intro; otherwise there's nothing much of interest going on. 'Naami Chor' is better... 'Kahte Hain Mujhko' is a cool Kishore Kumar number featuring an ace piano and

Kalyanji Anandji: Hasina Maan Jaayegi (1968)

'Hasina Maan Jaayegi'; a nice but not quite great Kalyanji Anandji score from the late 60s. There are several tracks on it that fall into the "sounds promising" category... containing intros or other bits that have me thinking "hmm, this could be good" but then subsequently fail to deliver.'Dilbar Dilbar Kahate Kahate' is probably the best one... a fun and chirpy Hindi rock'n'roll number

Music From The Third Floor: Vol. 3

Compilation no. 3, another CD-R's worth of sounds culled from the last 30 or so posts. A fair amount of old school (pre-60s) selections this time, hence – in part – the b/w cover art. It's such an amazing still though (from 'Awara'); Nargis' pose, her expression... very sensuous.Track listing:1. Title Music (from The Burning Train)2. Aa Jane Jaan (from Intaqam)3. Jan Pahechan Ho (from Gumnaam)4.

Sachin Dev Burman: Aradhana (1969)

Here's one I'm quite fond of. Burman Sr. this time - although I suspect Rahul Dev had a hand in 'Aradhana' [review]; the trademarks are there. Check out the cool shuffle of 'Roop Tera Mastana', the chirpy bounce of 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' and the groovy backbeat of 'Baghon Mein Bahar Hai' (my favourite). Add a lovely Lata Mangeshkar contribution in 'Chanda Hai Tu Mera Suraj Hai Tu' and you've got

Rahul Dev Burman: Nauker (1979)

Oh dear... one of those rare things (on this blog anyway), the second bland RD Burman score in a row. Marginally better than 'Biwi-O-Biwi', maybe, but sans any tracks that are able to hold my attention... a million miles from great. If memory serves, I bought 'Nauker' quite early on, under the assumption that anything Burman from 1979 would be good, by default. Not so.The Pancham backlash starts

Rahul Dev Burman: Biwi-O-Biwi (1981)

Back again. Not with a vengeance though, as 'Biwi-O-Biwi' is one of those rare things (on this blog anyway), a really dull RD Burman score. So no commentary; I'm just going to quickly leave it here, then move on to more exciting stuff (coming tomorrow). And you can all decide for yourselves if you're going to take my word for it, or download the album anyway :-)Track listing:1. Kishore Kumar &

A short hiatus

Just a quicky to let y'all know there won't be any posts for the next couple of weeks - loads of stuff to do and places to be coming up, thus not really giving me any time to rip records. But I will be back :-)

Bappi Lahiri: Toote Khilone (1977)

Another pre disco-era Bappi Lahiri offering, chock-full of good tracks: 'Maana Ho Tum' is a nice, slightly Morricone-tinged lounge number, 'Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jane" (best track, arguably) has a great Lalo Schifrin type intro and a whole bunch of cool instrumental details (including one reminiscent of Sun Ra's 'Space Is The Place' - how awesome is that?!?), 'Nanha Sa Panchhi' (the happy one)

Sathyam: Cheppindi Chestaa (1978)

Track 1 off this soundtrack was included on the second 'Doob Doob O' Rama' compilation a few years back. It didn't really belong there; the series was subtitled 'Filmsongs from Bollywood', and as 'Cheppindi Chestaa' is a Telegu film, it's actually Tollywood.Therefore the score shouldn't really be on this blog either... but I'm not that particular. And besides, 'China Daani Chirunavvulu' is great.

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Intaqam (1969)

Laxmikant Pyarelal's good songs, and there are a few, are not only awesome, they usually also sound uniquely their own; not at all like any of their contemporaries. Listen to 'Aa Jane Jaan', which while bearing all the hallmarks of your average psyched-up westernized Bollywood number (horror effects, organs, unusual percussion, jazzy grooves, crazy intermezzos, screams) really is something else.

Kalyanji Anandji: Yaarron Ka Yaar (1978)

Another not really very good offering from the Shah brothers. As such, the soundtrack to 'Yaarron Ka Yaar' benefits from its brevity... 'O Mere Lal Mujh Pe' (pretty) and 'O Dekho Mehfil Men' (bouncy) are semi-decent tracks, the rest is forgettable.Track listing:1. Kishore Kumar: Main Yaarron Ka Hoon Yaar2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Pahli Pahli Baar Mujh Ko3. Asha Bhosle: O Mere Lal Mujh Pe4. Asha

Kalyanji Anandji: Nasbandi (1977)

I once saw this hyped on eBay as a Kalyanji Anandji funk score. Instead of showing the album's front cover (which under the circumstances probably would have been off-putting), the seller opted for the back, featuring a picture of Amitabh Bachchan fronting a bunch of nasty looking bikers. Bids went sky high.Problem is, that even though 'Nasbandi' comes from the pair's arguably funkiest (and best)

Shankar Jaikishan: Awara (1951/1975)

Much as I enjoy Bollywood soundtracks, I don't often find myself wanting to see the films they're taken from. 'Awara' [review] [2] is an exception... looking at some of the YouTube clips, plus this one I found via Parties, Sarees and Melodies (where the album was posted some time ago), I'm really taken in by the art direction and b/w cinematography. So must buy, probably.Anyway, the score:

Rahul Dev Burman: Shaan (1980)

And more. Same composer, same year (same almost-impossible-to-scan-decently cover), similar sound. Much of what I said below goes for 'Shaan' [review] as well... a treasure chest of weird, wild and wonderful sounds (and mixtures thereof); a gold mine for DJs looking for samples. Choice cuts: 'Doston Se Pyar Kiya', a John Barry-esque disco stomper featuring Usha Uthup* in what would have been

Rahul Dev Burman: Rocky (1980)

Disco-era Burman. As therefore can be expected, there are a million and one things going on in 'Rocky'... RD packs more sounds (and punch) into a single track than others manage during the course of an entire career. 'Aa Dekhen Jara' kicks it off with funky beats, wild percussion, sitars and a shameless steal from Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The Worlds'... a great galloping melody with all sorts of

Naushad: Mere Mehboob (1963)

Circumstance (and a chronology that only makes sense to me) seems to be dictating quite a few less than great posts at the moment... but as always I take solace in knowing that many enjoy these more than I; the rest of you will have to bare with me. (Burman's up next).Quickly then: Even more Naushad (and I find myself wondering how come I have so many of his), 'Mere Mehboob' is a bit dull I think

Naushad: Dillagi (1949/1978)

Another very old Naushad effort. 'Dillagi' is hardly in my top anything - I don't think the melodies are strong enough - but the general mood is quite nice. As are some of the instrumental details. Best track is the opening 'Too Mera Chand' with its shuffling rhythm, cool piano bits and flute... sounding almost like a (vocal) precursor to the recurring theme on Kalyaniji Anandji's 'Dharmatma'.

The Best Of Music Director Ravi (1984)

Other than 'Kaajal' (below), the only other Ravi soundtrack I own is an e.p. - which I vaguely recall being quite good but I'm going to wait a bit before posting. (I need to find it first... after last year's move there are still loads of things that aren't where they're supposed to be). Instead, here's a compilation of songs taken from other scores of his... some quite nice, some a bit dull,

Ravi: Kaajal (1966)

One from Ravi, the guy who wrote 'Been Music' off 'Nagin'. The songs on 'Kaajal' aren't anywhere near as good though. In fact it's all a bit nondescript to my ears... a few pretty, atmospheric tunes, like 'Samjhi Thi Ke Yeh Ghar Mera Hai' and 'Mera Bhaiya', but nothing really memorable.Track listing:1. Asha Bhosle: Tora Man Darpan2. Mahendra Kapoor: Mudat Ki Tamnaon Ka Sila3. Asha Bhosle: Samjhi

Ajit Varman: Vijeta (1982)

The cover makes 'Vijeta' look like an armed forces recruitment film (it's not), Ajit Varman is a fairly obscure music director by Bollywood standards (only half a dozen scores to his name), and the album's three songs sound lovely and trippy, or meandering - depending on your perspective (I can't decide). What makes this particular soundtrack really interesting though is that the entire second