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