Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jalte Badan (1973)

'Jalte Badan' [review]; a film about the perils of drug addiction. They tend to be quite fun. I don't know if the Bollywood ones were made with sincere intentions in mind or if they (too) were just exploitation, but either way, when trip-out songs were required for such films, music directors often excelled.'Aag Se Aag Bujhale' is no exception. It starts with a long intro (sadly missing from the

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Naatak (1974)

A Laxmikant Pyarelal score from 1974 (in addition to 1973, their best year I think) sporting a wonderfully cool cover; I couldn't resist picking this one up. 'Naatak' may not be quite on par with some of their best efforts from the period, but a few songs on the album strike my fancy. 'Zindagi Ek Naatak Hai' (I'm partial to the sad version) is packed with passion and drama, with an enticing intro

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Roti (1974)

A few more soundtracks have come my way since last I posted. 'Roti' [review] had been on my want list for quite a while; I'd forgotten why, but it didn't take many listens to remind me it was all due to the instrumentals. Three of them, and they're excellent. The first is freaked-out blaxploitation music enhanced by wild percussion, the second is a lovely strummed Morricone interlude, harmonica

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Soul Of Bobby (1973)

A much sought after and oft-requested classic. It's been a long time coming (I only managed to acquire a copy about a year or so ago) but well worth the wait. And many will already be familiar with it, by reputation if nothing else. For the uninitiated, what we have here is the result of somebody, possibly director Raj Kapoor, coming up with the fairly unique idea of releasing, in addition to

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

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

Naushad: Shabab (1954) / Laxmikant Pyarelal: Aap Beati (1976)

   An even odder pairing, perhaps, and a radical change of pace. 'Shabab' is traditional and low-key; pretty much what I expect from Naushad. There's nothing on it that really sticks out. It's pleasant enough, and 'Jogan Ban Jaoongi' is kind of nice, but in total probably not a record I'll play a lot.Laxmikant Pyarelal's 'Aap Beati' obviously has a more modern sound. But sans any of the stuff I

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

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Man Mandir (1971)

I've mentioned earlier that Laxmikant Pyarelal scores from the early 70s (well, any era really) could go either way. A lot of them leave me cold, but here's one I like a lot. 'Man Mandir' has a full pot of good songs on offer, to pick and choose. Favourites? The lovely 'Ae Meri Ankhon Ke Pahle Sapne' (either version) and the the quirky 'Kahiye Ji Kya Loge'. But don't sleep on the rest; it's a

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)

And while we're on the subject of mixed feelings... The arguably best track on 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan' [review] has a great musical arrangement; dark, brooding, intensely dramatic; an ominous, booming piano and soaring strings. What spoils 'Aur Nahin Bus Aur Nahin' for me though, is the singing. Not a bad word about Mahendra Kapoor as such, but his voice here is way too predominant, too loud,

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Shor (1972)

I seem to be on a mediocre streak at the moment... which always worries me as newcomers to the blog might think it dull. (Tell them it's not!) Another quickie: 'Shor' is hardly among Laxmikant Pyarelal's finest, but it does have its moments. A pleasant vibe throughout; listen to the chirpy 'Shehnai Baje Ne Baje', as well as 'Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai' with its violin intro and soft rolling rhythm -

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Dushmun (1973)

Another score with a great instrumental, and not very much else. 'Dushmun' [review] has loads of dialogue, and songs that are mostly nondescript and forgettable; 'Main Ne Dekha Tu Ne Dekha' being only a tad more interesting than the rest. 'Title Music' is what's worth the price of admission. It sounds a bit like Ennio Morricone guesting on the 'Dharmatma' soundtrack; a rolling rhythm, hypnotic

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Badle Ki Aag (1982)

I blame blaxploitation.com for this one. One of my favourite websites of yore, their list and capsule reviews of funky soundtracks was a great source of inspiration as well as shopping guide, and a 4 out of 5 rating is what induced me to buy it. Most of the time they could be counted on. Not always though. 'Badle Ki Aag' isn't very good. 'Jawani Men Aate Hain Daur Char', the disco selling-point

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

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:

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

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,

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

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