Rahul Dev Burman: Mr. Romeo (1973) / 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

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

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

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'

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

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,

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