Sunday, December 27, 2009

Bappi Lahiri: College Girl (1977)

One more before the end of the year; a worthwhile if uneven Bappi Lahiri score. It's from before his disco period, yet does contain signs of what was to come - especially noticeable on the title track. Both the synth-line at the beginning and the 'I love you' chorus in the middle are from Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love'; to Bappi's credit though, borrowing bits from the now classic electro anthem

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Raaste Kaa Patthar (1973)

I'm not sure how much the typically compressed 70s pressing has to do with it, but to me the soundtrack to 'Raaste Kaa Patthar' [review] sounds like a demo; made in a garage. Albeit a large one, to fit the orchestra, but still. There's a rawness to it that I don't hear on most other Bollywood albums - and it's all the better for it. It sounds dramatic, loud, distorted, full of jagged, jerky

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Kalyanji Anandji: Laawaris (1981)

There was a time, when Bollywood music was doing the rounds in the trendiest of western clubs, that any late 70s/early 80s Kalyanji Anandji soundtrack with the slightest hint of disco or funk inevitably would be hyped as 'ultimate killer masterpiece', or something similar to the same effect. A few times I fell for it. Like when I bought 'Laawaris'.There's nothing out of the ordinary on this. Most

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Rahul Dev Burman: Raton Ka Raja / Ehsan (1970)

   

At the time of writing, tattered copies of these 2 EPs (along with an admittedly sought after single from 'Apradh') are up for grabs on eBay. Starting bid? A measly US$320.

Call me funny, but I find that kind of ridiculous. Therefore:

2 MEGA RARE RAHUL DEV BURMAN SOUNDTRACKS!
8 PRE-RECORDED SONGS VALUED AT US$32 (MIN.) EACH!
FREE FOR THE TAKING!!

And take them you should, as both 'Raton

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Rahul Dev Burman: Dil Diwana (1974)

This 1974 effort is a companion piece of sorts to 'Jawani Diwani' from a couple of years earlier. Both films involve the same producer, director and lead actors, and there seem to be recurring characters... I'll let others either confirm or dismiss any direct thread between the two though. Because all that concerns us here is that both scores are by the same musical genius, and that the 'Dil

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Rahul Dev Burman: Khel Khel Mein (1974)

Getting this show back on the road: A week of RD Burman soundtracks, starting with 'Khel Khel Mein' from 1974. Increasingly though, after 40-something RD scores previously posted, the problem arises of what to write that I haven't already; I worry that my commentary is becoming redundant. Oh well... this particular effort is playfully poppy; nothing as outrageously 'out there' as Burman often