Songs and musician credits at the end.
The way the vocal portions of Poshampa starts it almost reminds one of Jee Karda from Singh is Kinng (wonder if it is some Punjabi folk standard). The song goes its own way soon after, and it is composer Amit Trivedi’s packaging that helps create a winner out of what could have been an ordinary tune – the sprightly arrangement evokes the 80s sound even while packing myriad elements. Matching the song’s liveliness at every step are Arijit Singh – the man has cleverly modified his voice to sound so close to the composer’s throughout the soundtrack that a lot of people (me included) have had a hard time getting convinced that it is indeed him – and Yashita Sharma (who has in the past rendered a bunch of songs for SEL). The combination of marching band style percussion and melancholic tune is something Amit has used to brilliant effect in the Lootera song Ankahee. In Phir Wohi he revisits that combo, and though not as effective (the percussion is more prominent here), it still is a fine listen, particularly for Yashita’s singing. Even more commendable is how the composer and lyricist (Kausar Munir) manage to give the same tune an upbeat makeover in Phir Nayi, once again with Yashita on vocals. The arrangement here features some lovely use of santoor (Tapas Roy) and flute (Naveen Kumar/Inapakurti D Rao). While invoking patriotic fervour, I am India is also an incredibly foot-tapping track carrying the composer’s trademark touches (that bass line especially, and I have always considered the use of harmonium a barometer of the man’s form). Arijit and Yashita deliver this one too in style (with great support from Keshia Braganza & Crystal Sequeira), the rhythm change in the final minute finishes the song on a high. Amit replaces Arijit in the Escape Version of the song which features some tweaks in the arrangement though without any dip in the energy levels.
Two of the soundtrack’s most intense songs also bring out the best vocal performances in the album from Arijit Singh and Yashita Sharma. While Hulchul has a regular but heady rock-flavoured arrangement, Junooni’s anthemic setting – also dominated by rock elements – is provided an additional flavour by the violins (Chennai Strings) and flute. Jag Mag doesn’t always work (found the rap written and sung by Peter Muxka Manuel to be weak) but the general light heartedness makes it an engaging listen all the same. The song I enjoyed the most from the soundtrack is Udan Choo, a track that in its boisterousness takes me back to Amit’s own Gulabo from nearly two years back. Fantastic singing once again from the Arijit-Yashita duo, while in the backdrop, the flute makes its presence felt amidst the finely realised rock arrangement.
Qaidi Band. Amit Trivedi starts his year late, but in style. Supremely engaging stuff from the man here.
Music Aloud Rating: 3.5/5
Top Recos: Udan Choo, I am India, Phir Nayi
This review first appeared in the Mumbai edition of The Hindu.
Musician Credits
Music By Amit Trivedi
Lyrics By Kausar Munir , Habib Faisal
I Am India (Jail): Arijit Singh, Yashita Sharma, Keshia Braganza & Crystal Sequeira
Hulchul: Arijit Singh & Yashita Sharma
Phir Nayi: Yashita Sharma
Junooni: Arijit Singh & Yashita Sharma – Lyrics – Sidhant Mago & Kausar Munir
Udan Choo: Arijit Singh & Yashita Sharma
Jagmag Watan@ Arijit Singh, Yashita Sharma & ( Rap ) Peter Muxka Manuel
Poshampa: Arijit Singh & Yashita Sharma
Phir Wohi: Yashita Sharma
I Am India(Mall) Amit Trivedi & Yashita Sharma
Produced & Arranged by Amit Trivedi
Executive Producer – A T Studios: Krutee Trivedi
Head Of Production – A T Studios: Aashish Narula
Recording Studio A T Studios & YRF Studios – Mumbai
Recording Engineers – YRF Studios Shantanu Hudlikar Assisted by Abhishek Khandelwal & Manasi Tare
Recording Engineers – A T Studios Shadab Rayeen Assisted by Abhishek Sortey & Firoz Shaikh
Mixed by Shantanu Hudlikar at YRF Studios – Mumbai
Mastered by Chris Athens at Chris Athens Masters
Programmed by Amit Trivedi
Programmed by Gourab Dutta
Music Arrangement & Guitar: Warren Mendonsa
Drums: Jai Row Kavi
Bass Guitar: Ardeshir Mistry
Keys: Beven Fonseca
Percussion: Sanket Naik
Beatbox: Alan D’Souza
Flute: Naveen Kumar
Santoor , Mandolin, Rabab, Saz & Bouzouki: Tapas Roy
Guitar: Rhythm Shaw
Clarinet & Flute: Inapakurti D Rao
Trumpet: Kishore Sodha
Harmonium: Akhlak Hussain Varsi, Firoz Shah
Dholak: Bhagwan S Pushkarna, Pratap Rath
The Chennai Strings:
M. Kalyan – Conductor
Violin
REX ISAACS
KERALA KUMARAN.N.P
SASI KUMAR.K
P.S.NARAYANA RAO
K.MURALI
P.J.SEBASTIAN
B.VINAY KUMAR
P.SHIVA PRASAD
C.H.VIJAYA BHASKAR
T.BALAJI
R.VIJAY ANAND
P.V.RAMANA
JAMES DAVID LING
P.V.SUBRAMANIAM
G.SAMPATH KUMAR
Viola
GOPINATH SETT
HEMANTHRAJ MULIYIL
B.BALACHANDRAN
B.JAYACHANDAR
B.G.VENGATES
Cello
B.S.SRINIVAS
FRANCIS ROZARIO
R.SELVARAJ – Double Bass
N.RAMANATHAN – Strings Co.Ordinator
Backing Vocals
Rajiv Sundaresan, Suhas Sawant, Keshia Braganza ,Crystal Sequeira,
Arun Kamath, Rishikesh Kamerkar ,Lara Pinto, Priya Saxena & Roshni Saha
