Rahul Dev Burman: Darling Darling (1976)

Yeah, I've been misled by cover artwork before, but one look at this and I knew 'Darling Darling' had to be fun. Which it is. The great feel-good title track, both versions of 'Woh Aurat Hai', 'Raat Gai, Baat Gai'... I've seen this described as a lesser Burman soundtrack... there's none of the typical/topical funk or disco elements on it, but I don't care, I think it's grand.Track listing:1.

Kalyanji Anandji: Upaasna (1971/1975)

'Meri Jawani' from 'Upaasna' was the very first Bollywood song I took notice of. It was being played at a club somewhere, and I subsequently did something I otherwise never do (far too self-conscious), namely ask the DJ what it was. Thus possibly planting the seeds for my interest in the genre. It's an outstanding track, from the 4-minute multi-layered intro (bossa nova, cool jazz, wild

Rahul Dev Burman: Shalimar (1978)

The one everybody wants, or did anyway. And while I personally think Burman has done better, 'Shalimar' is pretty good. A lot of you will have heard stuff from it before, on compilations or elsewhere, like the 'Title Music' and 'Baby Let's Dance Together'. Both great. So is 'One Two Cha Cha Cha' (sung by Usha Uthup aka Usha Iyer), funky and tacky at the same time with its steal from KC & The

Kalyanji Anandji/Biddu: Qurbani (1979)

It took me a while to get into 'Qurbani', it's just sooo cheesy. But in a good way I finally decided. Its claim to fame is usually the infuriatingly infectious dancefloor number 'Aap Jaisa Koi', written by Biddu. If you find it reminiscent of the old Tina Charles nugget 'Dance Little Lady', it's because he was the guy behind it. (He also made 'Kung Fu Fighting'.) There's more though: 'Laila O

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Koi Jeeta Koi Haara (1976)

'Koi Jeeta Koi Haara', the last not so very good one (for now). 'Au Baba Shaadi Too' and 'Ban Gayi Baat Baton Men' are the (minor) highlights on this. I promise the next Laxmikant Pyarelal album I post will be one of their classics. Coming up shortly though, before you all bail out on me, a couple of killer Burmans and Kalyanji Anandjis. (But do let me know if you in fact enjoy these, in my

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Khazana (1978)

Cheesy music in a cheesy cover. 'Khazana' is short (it's a 45 RPM mini-album; several soundtracks from that period were) and sweet. Well, kind of. 'Ham Tabiyat Ke Bade Rangin Hain' is the sort of stupidly catchy number that gets in your head (and on your wick) given enough listens. 'Khazane Ki Chabi Mere Paas Hai' has a great dramatic intro and could've been a contender, there are some cools

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Apnapan (1977)

A trio of Laxmikant Pyarelal scores for you, none of them very spectacular... but that's part of the project. First up, 'Apnapan', containing 'Somwar Ko Ham Mile' which I think is quite nice, and five tracks that really don't do anything for me. Still, they might be worthwhile to anyone into the more traditional song oriented aspect of Bollywood music.Track listing:1. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore

Kalyanji Anandji: Upkar (1967)

Here's a rather good one. Kalyanji Anandji's 'Upkar' was one of the duo's first scores that incorporated Western elements, especially on the awesome 10-minute long 'Gulabi Raat Gulabi'. It starts off with a jazzy rock 'n' roll beat, turns into a haunting piece of exotica midway, ending up all epic sounding with sound effects and everything. Great stuff! 'Mere Desh Ki Dharati' is also excellent I

Sachin Dev Burman: Anuraag (1972)

Another one where the cover had me fooled; wasn't expecting much of this. Silly of course, because S.D. Burman (R.D.'s father) had a number of great scores to his credit, mostly traditional sounding, but a lot of them really lovely. 'Anuraag' is one of those. Check out the three Lata Mangeshkar tracks, 'Mera Raja Beta Boojhe Ek Paheli' in particular which is very pretty.Track listing:1. Mohd.

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Do Raaste (1970)

Not really what I had expected. With its cool mod-tinged cover art, I had imagined 'Do Raaste' would contain a bit of jazz or Hindi rock 'n' roll à la Burman or something... but it doesn't. Oh, there are some minor traces on the title track, and even a nice psychedelic intro on 'Yeh Reshmi Zulfen'... other than that though, everything here sounds very traditional. Which isn't necessarily a bad

Rahul Dev Burman: Abhilasha (1968)

A minor R.D. Burman score... but even minor R.D. Burman scores often had at least some good stuff on them. The charming 'Pyra Hua Hai Jabse' for example is more than enough for 'Abhilasha' to be a keeper. The slightly Latin-flavoured 'Wadiyan Mera Daman' is also quite nice, as are the instrumental breaks on 'Ek Janib Shamme Mahfil'.Track listing:1. Mohd. Rafi: Wadiyan Mera Daman2. Asha Bhosle:

Kalyanji Anandji: Dharmatma (1975)

Right, I mentioned the famed funky soundtracks of Kalyanji Anandji earlier; 'Dharmatma' is one of their best (and certainly in my Bollywood top 10 list). Unlike most Hindi film albums where the focus is on songs, this one has loads of great instrumentals. Several ace versions of the 'El Condor Pasa'-inspired theme tune, the more traditional sounding 'Pathani Dance Music', and best of the lot, the