You can listen to the entire soundtrack here.

Composer Sharath gets the two veterans Chithra and Yesudas to sing the two respective versions of Ponnodu Poovai, a song with arrangement very evocative of Rahman’s 90s style, topped with some delightful employment of the kanjira. Chithra’s version worked better for me coz of the dainty touches that she adds to it. Her voice sounds quite young, strangely.  Sharath’s imaginativeness on the orchestration lifts the otherwise regular Kannara Thumbi sung by the ever-energetic Mano. The percussion and basslines are especially noteworthy. The song of the soundtrack comes next, one more brilliant piece along the lines of Sandhikkaadha (180) called Enthe Hrudayathaalam. Like with Sandhikkaadha one would note the background elements coming in bursts – the effect is spectacular! Madhu Balakrishnan and Jinsha K Naanu are top class at the vocals. Going by the recurrent RGMRS swara sequence, I presume this is based on Poornachandrika raga. All-round winner, this!

Poovaaname belongs to the composer’s Shesham line of songs, the western classical-ish template and a slightly unsettling sort of tune. That is not to understate the brilliance of the composition in any manner. Alka Ajith and Anand Aravindakshan (who sang Unni Menon’s part in Santhikkaatha’s Telugu version) do their part flawlessly – especially so in the vocal harmony portions. Palghat Sriram rules the melancholic heavy-on-percussion Oh Thingal Pakshi (Poorvi Kalyani-based?), the way he handles higher scales is just enviable. And in the last track Sharreth features the singer he chose from Mazhavil Manorama’s Indian Voice, Siyad. Interestingly arranged again, portions of the classic Akkarappachayile from Sthaanaarthi Saaraamma being placed smartly in a pop-based arrangement. Percussion usage is of note here too, mridangam, thavil etc. being fused brilliantly with the drums.

While reviewing 180 last year I had expressed a wish that Sharreth give a similarly brilliant soundtrack in Malayalam. Less than year later, the composer grants that wish. Fabulous soundtrack!

Music Aloud Rating – 8.25/10

Top Recos – Enthe Hrudayathaalam, Oh Thingal Pakshi, Ponnodu Poovai

Click on each song name to listen to it.

With some imaginative touches like Karthik’s whistling and Jaishankar Iyer’s melodica rendition over a breezy Spanish template, composer duo Aravind-Shankar’s Edho Edho charms right from the word go. Pradeep Vijay and Kalyani Nair carry the vocals part with equal sincerity, and you have a winner on your hands. The composers pretty much tread a tried and tested path in the other song Sutiga Choodaku  though, barring a surprise “seetha kalyaana” segment in the second interlude. Hariharan and Saindhavi’s rendition does enhance the overall experience quite a bit. Aravind-Shankar then pass the baton to Anup Reubens who starts off with Oh Priya Priya, a song whose high point is the fact that Nithya Menen accompanies Adnan Sami in the singing. Otherwise it is a pretty middling track riddled with clichéd melodic elements. There is no quality as such to speak of about Lachhamma, the techno elements are actually overboard in places. Nevertheless the song works on the foot tap-inducement front, like such songs are supposed to. Given the techno elements in the original though, a club mix is a redundancy. Chinnadhana is where the composer really contributes something of value, a zingy arrangement and vocals to boot. A bit less of vocal processing would have been perfect.

Enjoyable score from Aravind-Shankar and Anup Reubens, Ishq.

Music Aloud Rating – 7/10

Top Recos: Edho Edho, Chinnadhana, Sutiga Choodaku

You can listen to the soundtrack here.

The bubbly arrangement of Chinna Kanniley with its lovely use of kids’ chorus et al is a delightful throwback to Raja’s Anjali days. Shreya Ghoshal rules the rendition, sidelining a strangely nasal and off-colour Naresh Iyer. The composer’s adeptness at orchestration, particularly with the guitar, comes to the forefront of Vaangum Panathukkum – the raw sound of the acoustic guitar (nylon string?) present all through the song, backed by some classic Raja sounds. Bliss. And matching him in sounding his best is SPB; what singing! The scatting towards the second half is especially brilliant!

Sweeping orchestral elements and Ilayaraja’s sincere rendition greatly help Thaavi Thaavi Pogum whose tune might otherwise have made it tedious after a bit. The brief pauses before the interludes seem to contribute much even in their silence! Finally Vilayaattaa Padagotty wins you over with its simple tune which the composer beautifies with a fabulous strings-led arrangement. There is a prayer-like earnestness in the singers’ renditions – Hariharan and Shreya in the male and female versions respectively – which even betters the whole affair.

After a long gap the maestro gives us a flavor of his vintage stuff once again. Delectable is the word!

Music Aloud Rating: 8/10

Top Recos: Vaangum Panathukkum, Chinna Kanniley, Vilayaatta Padagotty

You can listen to the soundtrack here. The first three songs also have music videos featuring the artists, which you can watch by clicking on the song title.

With a nursery rhyme-ish lilt about the tune and a piano-led unplugged arrangement from Shantanu Moitra that matches the simplicity of the song, Roopkathara is winner all the way, impressing in both male and female versions – sung respectively by Rupankar Bagchi and Shreya Ghoshal. The scale change at the end is a particularly nice touch. Bola Baron too is built around a similar ditty, but with a rock flavor. And some excellent employment of the veena. Anindya Chattopadhyay does his job well behind the mic, with the composer playing chorus.  Brishti Biday, thanks to the sweet rendition by Shreya Ghoshal and the breezy metropolitan feel, is also quite soothing – even as the said feel evokes faint memories of songs from Life In A Metro in places.

Moitra smartly ensconces Shreya’s classical-based rendition (raag bihag-based?) in the predominantly rock-flavored Take Me Home, the rock part of the vocals being handled by Bonnie Chakraborty. Chhaya Bhitu Chhaya sounds like something Moitra might have made for his epic work Parineeta. Even here the charm is intact, Hamsika Iyer only adding to it with her spotless singing. And finally there is Shadow Tales, the composer making controlled use of Suraj Jagan’s voice to splendid effect, accompanied commendably by Monali Thakur. Lovely listen again, acoustic guitars never fail.

A fine piece of work from Shantanu Moitra, Aparajita Tumi. Even if you don’t understand Bengali, this soundtrack is a must-listen! First the Dewarists song and now this, Moitra is in sparkling form right now. Waiting for him to end his Bollywood break with more such brilliance.

Music Aloud Rating: 8.5/10

Top Recos: Roopkathara, Chhaya Bhitu Chhaya, Bola Baron, Shadow Tales

You can listen to the soundtrack here (link courtesy @iPeeKay)

Mild flashback elements apart, Kunwara is a catchy dance-y piece that makes smart use of the shehnai wedding motif. The Kolaveri Di-inspired video featuring Salim Merchant on vocals has already been making its rounds on the web. Bipasha has a distinct “Pritam in Dhoom” flavour with Hinglish lyrics that remind of Sheila, at least the English part. And I wonder why the reference to Bipasha, the actress isn’t even called that in the movie as per wiki. Anyways, I have never been a fan of Pritam’s music in Dhoom, this didn’t work much either. The vocals are mention-worthy though, Shraddha Pandit sounds fabulous, with good support from Shadab Faridi. The remix surprisingly sounds slightly better than the original, albeit by a small margin. Jab Main Tumhare Saath Hun is a beauty though, Shilpa Rao’s mild classical-laced sequences suddenly giving way to breezy take-offs by Benny Dayal and Salim Merchant.

Darmiyaan is sweet and soulful – Salim Sulaiman take care of the former and Shafqat Amanat Ali the latter, with backing from Clinton Cerejo. But thanks to SEL and subsequently other composers’ dholak-based escapades this song too is riddled by an overwhelming heard-beforeness. And in the absence of the said template, the Reprise version fares much better, the composers letting Shreya Ghoshal take the lead, and she does that superbly. Mujhko Teri Zaroorat has only Salim credited as the male vocalist, but there seems to be a second voice, apart from Shraddha Pandit’s backing. Good song btw. The remix has Rahat Fateh Ali Khan taking on the lead vocals, but by then the tune starts getting slightly tedious.

Definitely better music than Ladies vs Ricky Bahl this, but Salim Sulaiman’s score for the Jodi Breakers still is below expectations. The reusal habits have just got to go.

Music Aloud Rating: 6.5/10

Top Recos: Jab Main Tumhare Saath Hoon, Kunwara, Darmiyaan (Reprise)

I know it is a bit late to be coming out with this list, but since I have been getting multiple suggestions to compile a list of singers I decided to go about it anyway. So here you go: the top 10 playback singers of Bollywood in the year 2011 – male and female. Hope to make this too an annual affair from here on. The choice of songs has been more on quality – both of the rendition, and of the song – than on the number of songs. And considering just this year of course, with no bias towards the artist’s general repute. For each singer I have also provided the link to one fav song of his/hers from the year.

Top Male Singers

1. Mohit Chauhan – One word: Rockstar. The man who owes his first inning in Bollywood to ARR who gave him that lovely song in Rang De Basanti, was of late being extremely typecast with the regular melody tracks. And once again ARR appeared to deliver him salvation, casting him as the voice of Ranbir Kapoor for the movie. The choice worked big time, Mohit delivering the songs with finesse and giving us the soundtrack of the year. But apart from Rockstar the singer had other songs too, in Tanu Weds Manu (Yun Hi), Aarakshan (Achcha Lagta Hai), Chillar Party (Chatte Batte) to name a few. Hence he is our top singer of the year. Fav Song: Jo Bhi Main (Rockstar)

2. Vishal Dadlani – As composer Vishal had a so-so 2011, just the one standout soundtrack being Ra One, but as playback singer this was quite a productive year for the man – in at least four soundtracks the best song was delivered by Vishal. There was Aitbaar (No One Killed Jessica), Aadat Hai Woh from Patiala House, Ek Junoon in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and a handful of other songs, including that ultra whacky Dheaon Dheaon where the singer was almost unrecognizable! Good enough for the number 2 spot. Fav song: Aitbaar

3. Roop Kumar Rathod - Roop Kumar has been extremely choosy when it comes to Bollywood songs.  As a result he has had an almost 100% strike rate in terms of quality. This year too he sang just two songs (I have not considered the brilliant O Saiyya from Agneepath due to release date) – Piya for Tanu Weds Manu and Saaware in Shor In The City, but both of them were mindblowingly awesome. Ergo, he is our singer no. 3 for 2011. Fav song: Piya

4. Papon – The Assamese singer with his “dhaai kilo ka voice” made his Bollywood debut this year in Dum Maaro Dum, and then went on to sing two more songs for MPKK in Soundtrack. Excellent consistency he has displayed so far, and his pop album, though I am yet to hear it, is apparently a musical treat. So here is looking forward to much more from Papon in 2012. Fav song: Jiyein Kyun (Dum Maaro Dum)

5. Mohan – Agnee’s frontman had made his Bollywood debut in 2010, singing two wonderful songs for SEL and Amit Trivedi, last year he followed it up with two more top quality songs – Shor (Shor In The City) and Saaye Saaye (I AM). Neither got noticed much, which was unfortunate, but we noticed, and that is the reason Mohan is no. 5 on our list. Fav song: Shor (Shor In The City)

6. KK – KK had quite a few songs in 2011. Not everything worked, but due to sheer numbers he had a fair share of good songs across genres to make it to no. 6 on our list. Some prominent ones were Bhojhal S3 and Issi Baat Pe (I AM), O Mama (7 Khoon Maaf), Yaadon Ki Album (My Friend Pinto) etc. Fav song: Bhojhal Se (I AM)

7. Kirti Sagathia – Kirti too had a good 2011, getting some prominent songs in soundtracks like Delhi Belly and Shaitaan, songs that utilized his classical background quite well. Hence, no. 7. Fav song: O Yaara (Shaitan)

8. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - In 2010 he floored us with just that one song in Ishqiya. 2011 didn’t yield a song as impactful as that, but Teri Meri (Bodyguard) and Isq Risk (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) were fairly entertaining with the singer displaying his trademark soulfulness in the renditions. Fav song: Isq Risk (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan)

9. Shahid Mallya – Another prominent debutant from the year, Shahid sang some good numbers in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Mausam and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. There is a slight risk of getting stuck in the genre given the voice and style, but hope he gets more variety in 2012. Fav song: Rabba Main To Mar Gaya (Mausam)

10. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan - Not many songs Shafqat got to sing in 2011, and even among the ones he sang very few did justice to the kind of singing prowess he has. Nevertheless he becomes our last entry on the Male Playback singers list, coz I quite liked his Dildara and Chhayee Hai Tanhayee. Fav song: Chhayee Hai Tanhayee (Love Breakups Zindagi)

Top Female Singers

1. Shreya Ghoshal – It was just a matter of deciding between Shreya and Sunidhi as to who should be given the top spot, both had such diverse spread of music last year! In the end I chose Shreya coz of the slight lead in terms of classical-based songs. From the beautiful Kaun Si Dor from Aarakshan to Ooh La La from Dirty Picture to Saibo in Shor In The City to Mehki Mehki from The Game, the lady was on fire in 2011. Even in other languages she gave some brilliant songs but that is not for this post. Fav Song: Saibo (Shor In The City)

2. Sunidhi Chauhan – So like I said above, even Sunidhi had a lovely set of songs added to her repertoire in 2011, Tu (My Friend Pinto), Ishq Sufiyana (The Dirty Picture) and Mannu Bhaiyya (Tanu Weds Manu) being my favs. Just because Shreya edged her out by a slight lead, she occupies the second spot on our list. Fav song: Tu (My Friend Pinto)

3. Rekha Bhardwaj – Mrs. Vishal Bhardwaj had four songs, Darling (7KM) and I Love To Love You (Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster) had the singer take on a flippant avatar, while in Yeshu (7KM) and Saye Saye (I AM) Rekha was at her sublime best – Saye Saye being the prize catch. And the primary reason for her being the no. 3 entry. Fav song: Saaye (I AM)

4. Suman Shridhar – One of the most unique voices I have heard in recent times, the singer made waves with the only two songs she rendered in Bollywood this year, both coming in the same movie, Shaitan, both highly imaginative remixes from Mikey McCleary. She did sing a couple more for his album The Bartender, but the reason she is no. 4 on this list are Khoya Khoya Chaand and Hawa Hawaii. Fav song: Khoya Khoya Chaand (Shaitan)

5. Aditi Singh Sharma – A lady whose career graph has been on a steady high since her debut in 2009 with Dev D, 2011 was definitely her best year so far, the singer getting to sing some major chartbusters. Dilli Dilli, Dheaon Dheaon, Choomantar and Kaun Hai Ajnabi were the best among the lot. Hoping that 2012 sees her continue on that upward trend. Fav song: Dilli Dilli (No One Killed Jessica)

6. Harshdeep Kaur – Just one prominent song the young sufi exponent sang last year, but a gem of a song. A song where Harshdeep brought out the playful side of Heer way way better than Nargis Fakhri did on screen. And that song is enough for us to put her at No. 6. Fav song: Katiya Karun

7. Shilpa Rao – Though the biggest achievement of the singer in 2011 happened outside of Bollywood, in the form of the album Rewind – Nine Lost Memories from her band The Band Called Nine comprised of Neelesh Misra and Amartya Rahut, Shilpa had quite a rewarding stint at Bollywood too. Uh Oh from Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and Jazba from Ladies vs Ricky Bahl were quite engaging, Shilpa doing an uncharacteristically lively rendition in both cases. But the clincher was Yeh Pal for Amit Trivedi, a composer with whom she has always had memorable songs. Hence our Fav song: Yeh Pal (No One Killed Jessica)

8. Nandini Srikar – Like Harshdeep, Nandini too is on this list for just one song – the best song of Ra One, the classical-rock fusion song Bhare Naina whose high point was undoubtedly the impeccable rendition. Hope to hear more of her in 2012 and ahead. Fav song: Bhare Naina (Ra One)

9. Usha Uthup – After a long hiatus the pop legend returned to the Bollywood scene this year. Two songs – the energy-packed Darling from 7 Khoon Maaf and the sinister Hai Ye Maya which was the saving grace of the Don 2 soundtrack. Quite a comeback, no? Age has done little to the power of that voice, it was adequately proven with these songs. According to wiki she has one lined up for 2012, here’s wishing her more in the coming years. Fav song: Darling (7 Khoon Maaf)

10. Hamsika Iyer – Chhammak Chhallo might have been one of the biggest hits of 2011 and all that, but I hated it. For most part, that is. The only part I marginally liked in it was the brief Tamil portion, that too mostly owing to the singer – Hamsika Iyer. Apart from that cameo she had just one other song last year, a beauty from Amole Gupte for Stanley Ka Dabba called Jhoola Jhool. Listen to that and you will agree with me she is one of the most under-rated singers in the industry today. Fav song: Jhoola Jhool (Stanley Ka Dabba)

And that will be all. Your comments are most welcome.

You can listen to the album here.

The title song provides a sparkling start to Rangeele, the highlight of course being Kailash Kher’s singing and the lyrics, the title hook especially lilting. The arrangement is primarily acoustic guitar with other elements like sax and flute and some other exotic-sounding touches in places. Tu Kya Jaane follows up nicely, a smartly done breezy arrangement mitigating to quite an extent the heard-beforeness in Kailash’s singing. The minute-long stretch towards the end where Naresh & Paresh’s chorus is juxtaposed with Kailash’s vocals to an overdrive of strings in the background is the high point of the song. The déjà vu factor seems to get stronger with each song, Albeliya a notch up on that front, even as Kailash’s voice and guitars (is there something like an oud involved?) form a truly intoxicating combo good enough to have you hooked. With an orchestration that slightly reminds one of Bhatt flicks, Yadaan Teriyaan has an effect quite like the previously said Bhatt flick songs have, the haunting kind. The hauntingness is quite reduced in the acoustic version. Daaro Na Rang piques the attention more for the contrast between the orchestration and the vocals than for the song as such, which starts to get tedious after a bit.

Kathagaan provides another fresh burst to the proceedings, Kailash getting into a super-exuberant story rendition backed by an immensely engaging arrangement (guess the lead instrument is a banjo). And the song is rounded off with some brilliant kanjira+konnakol. Babbaji is the exact opposite though, having pretty much nothing new to offer. The attempt at comedy in Hudkaan Maan Bitti falls flat. And the only thing that is fresh about Dharti Pe Jannat is the fact that there is Amitabh Bachchan doing a cameo towards the end – overwhelmingly repetitive otherwise. Ujaale Baant Lo that closes the soundtrack is relatively better, but even that isn’t without an overall Kailasa-ness about it.

An album that has some excellent music but is largely evocative of the band’s past. At least some of those songs work this time, but once more shall be cutting it too fine. Which would be rather unfortunate for a band of Kailasa’s proficiency.

Music Aloud Rating: 6.5/10

Top Recos: Kathagaan, Rangeele, Tu Kya Jaane, Albeliya

So apparently the wonderful music from Season 1 of the cult show called The Dewarists isn’t over yet. Episode 8 of the show had featured Midival Punditz collaborating with Humble The Poet and Monica Dogra in the fab ambience of Goan beaches to produce No I D Required. As it turns out, that was not the only song they produced in the three days they were together. There were three more songs, of which one song titled Silent Screams has been put out on soundcloud by the Punditz for free download (HT to Praveen VR for the find)! Slower in tempo than No ID.. but a good listen, mainly due to Shaair’s singing.  And a groovy arrangement.

So here is what you do. Click here or go to the widget below, and click on the download button. And soon, before the download limit has reached (if they have set such a thing). Enjoy the music! The important question now is whether Dewarists have more such unreleased tracks. If yes, hoping that we will soon get to hear those too.
Silent Screams – Punditz, Shaair and Humble The Poet (Free Download!) by Midival Punditz

It was some time in 2005 that I got first introduced to this song Giriraja Sutha (named Giriraj Sudha by the artists on their CD et al) by my good friend and partner at Music Aloud, Praveen VR. The song turned out to be a landmark song in my life for multiple reasons. That was probably the time I really started paying attention to the genre of fusion music, a major share of the office bandwidth was utilized in subsequent days in a mad rush to procure songs by various fusion bands. And that was the time Shankar Mahadevan, to me, got promoted to a pedestal above other contemporary film singers, this rendition of his (and other fusion songs of his I heard later on) totally floored me. And most importantly, that was the time I got introduced to the guitar God named John McLaughlin, and the fusion band Remember Shakti comprised, apart from him and Shankar M, of Zakir Hussain, U Srinivas and Selvaganesh Vinaykram. Hundreds of fusion songs I have heard since then, but this band has always remained special. I was lucky enough to catch them live when they came to Bangalore in 2006. One of the best concerts I have attended to date.

So coming to the point this post was supposed to be about, in February this year I shall be graced with that fortune yet again, when the band is making another of its concert tours in 5 different cities in India. Below is the schedule of the tour (source: johnmclaughlin.com). The tickets can be booked via bookmyshow. So if you love fusion music, mark off your calendars and make plans – this is one concert you DO NOT want to miss. They do not tour very often, for one thing.

• 5th February Ganesh Kala Kreeda Manch, Pune
• 7th February Shanmukhananda Auditorium, Mumbai
• 9th February Palace ground– Mekri Circle, Kaveri Junction, Bangalore
• 10th February Lalit Palace Ground– Hyderabad
• 11th February Music Academy Hall– M G ROAD, Chennai
• 12th February King George School, Dadar, Mumbai

And below are two songs from the band, to guide you in your decision making.

46 years, since A S Dileep Kumar was born. And 20 years, since he changed the way we perceive film music, with that score for Mani Ratnam – a combo which subsequently gifted some out-of-the-world music to us. Anyone who follows ARR’s music would undoubtedly agree that the sound of ARR’s music has changed over the years, in fact there are many who sorely miss the 90s music of ARR (yours truly included). But that is no reason to conclude that ARR has lost his touch, the man quite adequately proved that with that cracker of a soundtrack this year for Rockstar. Sadly though this writeup comes at a time when another soundtrack of his has released, which wouldn’t count among his best works courtesy the dubbed lyrics. Hardly a matter of concern though actually, given that there is always the Tamil original to fall back to. Therefore,  not letting that worry me on this wonderful day, here is wishing the maestro a lot more years of celebration and of lovely music. And as a birthday tribute, here is a compilation of my 30 fav instrumental tracks from Rahman (one of the few themes I could think of where the list could be a restricted to a fairly reasonable number of songs! ). Enjoy!