DJ Munks.com

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Yash and Aditya Chopra are famous for romantic movies under their banner Yash Raj Films. Recently they have started experimenting with other genres and been extremely successful everywhere. Now they are trying to get a mix of genres with romance in the true Mumbai ishtyle. Lafangey Parindey is the story of a Mumbai street biker and fighter who comes across a blind girl who loves to skate dance. He teaches her to see and she teaches him to love in between their rough lives. Yash Raj have put their faith in an extremely talented director Pradeep Sarkar who made the hit – Parineeta for this challenging project. The trailers look good with a strange on screen combo of Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone. Will their on screen chemistry work is something we will have to wait and see but their typical Mumbaiya accents sure do work well.

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I would imagine a movie based around the streets of Mumbai will have the Marathi flavour to its music but that is something we can find out now. What I am also very curious to find out is if ad jingles composer R. Anandh can create a hit OST on his debut music direction work. He atleast has real good support on the lyrics side with Swanand Kirkire who has written fantastic lyrics for movies like Parineeta, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Rajneeti and 3 Idiots. Let us listen and find out if this 7 track OST works for the UK Bollywood listeners.

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Lafangey Parindey – Mr. Anandh brings along a new singer to open his first Bollywood OST project. That is quite brave.. but affective. Ronit Sarkar has a good voice with a pop-rock texture to his voice that works well in the setting of this song. Very urban Mumbai with good instrumentation in this composition. The fun element in the chorus with “Dhing-ra-k-ding” takes away the seriousness of this song that talks about the life of the streets of Mumbai and gels in well. The harmonies & range in Ronit’s voice are worth noticing. He is definitely a good find. The lyrics are good but sound familiar. Not the best song to start the OST but being the theme of the movie I guess they didn’t really have much choice. 7/10.

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Track 2 – Man Lafanga – Now this is a really good composition with fantastic lyrics and the best vocals of Mohit Chauhan. His voice gives feeling to any song to put him in. The acoustic guitar sounds unique in many respects throughout the song. The basic simple beat and rhythm gives it the easy going pace of a good romantic song in the making. The lyrics are just perfectly placed and are brilliant as a man talks about his recluse heart that he has no control on and it does whatever it wants when it comes to love. Plus this song grows on you the more you listen to it and is addictive-ly fun. Press repeat!! 8.5/10.

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Track 3 – Dhatad Tatad – Shail Hada comes along after a long time and impresses you with this vocal quality on this song. Anushka is here too and seems to be quite in demand these days. The typical Mumbai street fun angle of the song comes out clearly with the title phrase throughout the song. This song will be this year’s hit for all Ganesh Chaturthi dances in Mumbai. It surely has that fun quality in lyrics and music that the Mumbai audiences will love.. but here in the UK not so much It is very street and an average listen. 6.5/10.

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Track 4 – Nain Parindey – This song starts off with a beautiful piano piece that sets the tone of the song in a pure and blissful way. Shilpa Rao just makes that better.. She is a brilliant voice and has sung some excellent romantic, ambient and lounge songs. This is yet another beautiful song to add to her list. Kirkire’s lyrics are just perfect, poetic and meaningful. R. Anandh keeps the music simple and blends it just right to give it that soulful feel that makes this song one of the best on the OST. Worth every penny. 8/10.

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Track 5 – Rang Daalein – Rock star Suraj Jagan is probably the best rock voice in Bollywood these days and definitely the most talented. You must even remember him as an actor in Rock On! He was the lead singer of the competing band & director of MTV later in the film. He sure knows how to make a song his and that too very effortlessly. His vocals are just bang on. The music is a good rock composition with good use of bass guitar and electric lead guitar solos. The surprise element is the mix of dholki and Scottish pipes in the chorus. Check that out.. you will like it. The lyrics are not the best but work for a rock song. 7/10.

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Track 6 – Born To Fly – After a long time we hear an instrumental theme music based track in an OST. And it is a good one. The orchestration is well conducted and has elements of excitement, climax, pace and harmony to it. It uses inspiration from Rang Daalein, Dhatad Tatad & Lafangey Parindey songs on the album to blend them all together. 7/10.

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Track 7 – Man Lafanga (Club Mix) – Remixed by Joshilay who call it a club mix but it doesn’t work. Atleast definitely not for the UK clubs.. or even for radio for that sake. It just does not have that effect or feel to it. Joshilay have just used a deep bass line beat and looped it all over. It does nothing for the song and thus just frustrates you once you have heard and become a fan of the original. Ignore. 5.5/10.

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FINAL WORD

Pretty Good – 7/10

Well not the best of OST’s to hit the Bollywood music scene this year but it sure has 2 good songs including Man Lafanga and Nain Parindey. The others are average or above average but far from being bad songs. Thus Lafangey Parindey is overall a very listenable album that people with Mumbai roots will definitely appreciate and like. R. Anandh does a reasonably good job for his first Bollywood album with a good range of singers. He introduces Ronit Sarkar who has the potential to be a good lead singer. Swanand Kirkire does well on some lyrics but could have done much better considering his past work. What is really missing from this OST is a range of songs and versatility. The absence of a good dance tune could possibly affect its radio & TV airplay with no demand of the movie songs in clubs. And these are big parts of what go into making a hit film these days. Album available on YRF Music.

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Actor Anil Kapoor’s Film Banner has made some really good offbeat movies like Gandhi My Father and My Wife’s Murder. Aisha looks like another good one to look out for but this time with his very own daughter Sonam Kapoor!

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Aisha is a modern movie based in the high live of Delhi and inspired by the book Emma written by Jane Austen. There is a British connect that the UK audience cannot miss.. and thus the movie will sure be an attraction when it hits the screens here. What would be interesting to see is the execution of Emma by Sonam who has been paired with Abhay Deol who comes from a totally different school of acting with the offbeat touch. This fresh look to onscreen pairs could come only from some fresh eyes that Rajshree Ojha brings being a first timer to Bollywood direction… and the promo shows the freshness to the movie cut.

Let us come to the music side of things.. and Amit Trivedi is the man incharge. I truly admire his work in Dev D, Wake Up Sid and Aamir. Thus I have high expectations from the OST of Aisha. Especially when you have Javed Akhtar doing the lyrics then you definitely know the quality is at the highest of standards. Let us see if this really works for the UK Bollywood music lovers..

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Suno Aisha – The song starts with some excellent keyboard programming and evolves into typical Amit Trivedi sound with the clapping, trumpets and flutes with a super deep keyboard bass. The arrangement of the song is extremely catchy with a very global music appeal that even a west European with no understanding of music loves (this is as per test with a couple of west Europeans). Trumpets, double bass, clarinets and flutes steal the show all together. Amit just loves his wind instruments.. and we love him for that Keep your ear open for a few acoustic guitar strums thrown in here and there with a guitar and trumpet solo for the 2nd bridge.

The vocals are by Amit too and are simply brilliant. Nakash Aziz & UK boy Ash King give additional vocals. The lyrics are simple and good in truly Javed Akhtar style and demonstrate the self obsessiveness of Aisha’s character. Overall I love this song.. and so will you. 8.5/10.

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Track 2 – Gal Mitthi Mitthi - Amit gives this a very traditional start with Ek Tara and Shehnaai instruments that transition beautifully into a very modern funky super deep bass beat. He again further blends this very well with a bit bhangra and shehnaai samples throughout and keys. True genius and master of innovative music blending!! The music definitely has a party appeal and will work well on the dance floor in a mix. Tochi the superstar from the music of Dev D comes back here with Amit giving us yet another hit. The lyrics are designed for a wedding giving the song a perfect fit with lines like “tu kar de ishaara mein dooli le aaoon”. Kudos to Javed saab. A definite hit. 8/10.

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Track 3 – Sham – Welcome new kid on the block Nikhil D’souza in an acoustic avatar with Amit Trivedi and Neuman Pinto on the vocals. He sounds like many other modern acoustic singers but unique in his own way. The texture and harmonies in his voice make you instantly love him. Amit uses only an acoustic guitar in this song and it works brilliantly. If you play the guitar listen to the 2nd bridge of this song for some learning with guitar body tapping. The main thing to watch out for in this song are the beautiful poetic lyrics of Javed saab. It is so romantic that it will make even the strongest heart melt. Perfect for a background song on a romantic hug. 7.5/10.

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Track 4 – Behke Behke – You might remember the rugged voice of girl band singer Anushka Manchanda and also from a number of Bollywood songs lately. She is well in demand but this song doesn’t really work for me. It has good vocal performances by Anushka, Samrat Kaushal, Raman Mahadevan, Suman Sridhar and rap by Robert Omulo. But the Spanish feel with average lyrics and a killer beat is just too much going on. It is not a bad song but it overall doesn’t catch up to you. 5.5/10.

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Track 5 – Lehrein – “Khoyi Khoyi si hun mein, Kyu yeh dil ka haal hai, Dhundhle saare khawab hai, uljha har khyaal hai”.. Simply beautiful poetry with every emotion twirled around simple words. Javed Akhtar is best at sad songs like this where he does not stop emotions flowing through the tip of his pen. Anusha Mani’s vocals are spotless and pure with backing vocals by Nikhil D’souza and Neuman Pinto. Amit lets the music flow keeping it very simple and live band like. The violin solo is perfectly performed in the 2nd bridge. If you close your eyes for a bit and open them looking outside the window at the sky with this song in the background it could literally make you cry even on your happiest days. Simply beautiful. 7.5/10.

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Track 6 – By The Way – This vocal style works better for Anuskha and the fun element can be felt in her singing. A total girl band banging with self obsessed and careless attitude lyrics. The rock music style with dynamic raving electric guitars complements the lyrics and vocals perfectly. The overall arrangement and style work for a girls night out and driving around in an open car celebrating life. That’s the appeal.. nothing more.. 6.5/10.

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Track 7 – Gal Mitthi Mitthi (The Bombay Bounce Dhol Mix) – Time to party and enjoy the best party song on this album in the punjabi dhol with Bombay style beats (Aptly named mix! ). A very good remix by DJ Lloyd and Discreet. It is on my top songs list for DJ’ing already and the crowd loves it every time I play it. Kudos DJ Lloyd! No flashy over-adventurous work. Well done! 8/10.

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Track 8 – Lehrein Remix (The Bombay Bounce Lounge Mix) – Sensational!! DJ Lloyd and Discreet are on fire here. For once the remixes make sense and you love them as much as the original. That is what the aim should be for any remix… but does not always happen in Bollywood This lounge mix is brilliant and relaxes your body and mind. Put it on loud and sink into a hot bathtub to feel the magic of music. 7.5/10.

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FINAL WORD

EXCELLENT & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 8/10

In today’s economic climate, when you pay for a CD with 8 songs you would want them all to be good. Amit, Javed Saab and all the singers & musicians on Aisha understand that and give it to you. You can’t ask for more than this. Except one, every song is excellent on this OST. It is innovative with a new sound with perfectly written lyrics and genuine vocals. Aisha matches the movie look, theme and taste of the modern UK audience. The album has a global appeal and is still different from the others. Buy it.. buy it today !! OST available on Sony BMG.

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These videos have been long time due to be published on my website. I cannot come up with any good excuse to justify the delay. So please accept my apology and here you go.. This is me DJ Munks & my most famous events..

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Video 1 – Is a video profile of this secret event in Manchester for a special private party for exclusive guests by invite only. Performing on the night were Kelly Rowland, DJ Munks and the brilliant Lovesoul DJ’s. You will see me doing the warm up set for the gorgeous superstar KELLY ROWLAND. I also DJ’ed for her tracks & the final wrap. Check out the madness on the dancefloor that came with the music of DJ Munks & the Lovesoul DJ’s. What an experience!! I will never forget this gig.

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Video 2 – Is the TV advert for DJ Munks with RDB for the Sikh Arts & Film Festival in New York.

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Video 3 – Is the TV advert for DJ Munks Bollywood night in Birmingham at Chi Bar.

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Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai is the 7th movie under the Balaji Motion Pictures Banner. Not a single movie so far has had music that stands out or can boast of a hit. If we leave the music and talk just about the movie, not a single of their productions has delivered well the box office except for average business.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai could just about be the one to change it all for the biggest small screen banner who could now be the big screen banner that Ekta & Shobha Kapoor have dreamed of making it… and it all rests on the shoulders of brilliant actors Ajay Devgan & Emraan Hashmi. These guys usually always deliver the vision of their producers and directors. But does director Milan Luthria who has made movies like Kachche Dhaage, Chori Chori, Deewar & Taxi No. 9211 have it in him to deliver a hit underworld Mumbai theme movie? That we will have to wait till the 30th July to watch.

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For now let us analyse what hit maker Pritam can deliver with lyricists Irshad Kamil, Nilesh Mishra & Amitabh Bhattacharya for a movie with a very dark theme. Pritam has never actually worked on a Mumbai dark side themed movie although he has delivered some super hits with movies like Gangster, Jannat & Rajneeti recently. I would imagine this OST will have some street talk Mumbai songs with the slang and violent gun shots with a mix of romance & totally dark Mumbai themed music for background scores of the movie. I would love it if Irshad can repeat his magic of Karam on the lyrics cause that was sensational. Let’s hit play and check it out.

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Pee Loon – Very pleasant first 30 seconds of the album that set the tone of the album. And you can’t ask for more than Mohit Chauchan’s voice following the soothing 30 seconds of music. This Qawaali based romantic song reminds you of the sea side by Haji Ali. The melody and instrumentation are heart felt with a mesmerising harmonium solo in the middle bridge which you must take a notice of as that is not something you hear often in music these days. The team of Pritam, Irshad & Mohit make an instant classic romantic hit. A must listen. 8/10.

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Track 2 – Tum Jo Aaye – Seems like this is more of a romantic movie than a underworld bloodshed extravaganza. Tulsi Kumar along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan perform a very soulful vocal rendition to Irshad’s poetic lyrics. Once again Pritam sticks to the Qawali style Bollywood music format with another good harmonium solo. The dholki played on this song is brilliantly recorded. The classical composition & recitation work well in the favour of this song and even has a Punjabi element to it. It is a good song but not the best. It won’t stick in your head as much as Pee Loon. 7/10.

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Track 3 – I Am In Love – We know Karthik from two really big songs – Behka from Ghajina & Behne De from Raavan recently. Both truly are brilliant. So is I am in love. You can really feel the emotion when he says “I am in Love”. His vocals & harmonies are spotless on a great voice. The lyrics by Nilesh Mishra will make you sit up and take notice of them as they rhyme all the way. Pritam’s composition & simple music complement this song perfectly. It is just simple & beautiful. You will surely like it. Do listen.. 7.5/10.

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Track 4 – Parda – Haha.. revival of the classic.. Remember Duniya Mein Logon Ko from Apna Desh? Sunidhi & Rana Mazumder do a revision of that classic and spice it up with some new lyrics by Irshad which are not that great. Rana freaks you out here sounding exactly like The Boss – R. D. Burman. Pritam very successfully gives you the 70′s feel with this composition and Sunidhi is his star that delivers it very well on the mic. You can’t help but sing along every time the “Monicaaa” shout comes along. I love going back in time.. & this song takes u there. A production & creative genius song. Lacks brilliant lyrics. 7.5/10.

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Track 5 – Babu Rao – From the start you will take notice of the unique music style. Kudos to Pritam for this coming up with this composition. It is genuine, unique and works perfectly with the theme of this song. The programming of the instruments is imaginitive & brave.  Mika has his usual fun and is perfect in the vocals department. He sounds like a street don. But the best part of this song are the lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. They are cool, funny & represent all gangsters. I won’t be surprised if they start using this song as their gang theme song.. lol. 8.5/10.

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Track 6 – Tum Jo Aaye (Reprise) – If you liked track 2 then this version will blow you off with its calmness, style, purity & melodic feel. It is just genius. It is all about 4 instruments – gorgeous tabla, resounding ghungroos, brilliant harmonium and Rahat Fateh Ali’s voice. I don’t want to tell you more. Just listen to it & you will discover the beauty of Indian music. 8.5/10.

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Track 7 – I Am In Love – KK & Dominique do a 2nd version of Track 3 which is also like a reprise version. It is as good as Track 3. KK & Karthik each have their own place and you can’t really compare these 2 versions. Karthik has more depth while KK has a sharper stylish voice. Lyrically & composition-ally it is the same song. 7.5/10.

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Track 8 – Pee Loon (Remix) -DJ A-Myth is one of the best DJ’s in India and he really proves it this time with giving a decent remix which does not kill the original. And thank God they very selectively chose this song rather than doing a remix of every song on the OST. So overall a very decent & cute remix. Perfect for a warm up set or calm drinking party. 7/10.

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Track 9 -I Am In Love (Dance) – There you go.. that’s how you ruin a good song with a not required remix. A trance mix of a great song with 2 different versions already on the OST.. I don’t see why did they need a third version and too on a totally inspired trance beat. This is perhaps the only blunder on a perfectly good album. Please end the OST on track 8 to keep you ears safe. 4.5/10.

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FINAL WORD

Very Good – 7.5/10

This OST is definitely not what it feels like. It is more of a romantic album rather than a underworld album with Marathi influences. Every song is better than expected and there is no below average song except the last track.

3 beautiful romantic songs, 1 bar type song which is a production beauty as is a revival of a classic and 1 brilliant underworld song that thrills you in every way. Babu Rao, Pee Loon and Tum Jo Aaye (Reprise) are the definite picks of the album with all credit to Pritam once again for a masterpiece album. His choice of singers, instruments & lyricists is brilliant. Each of them perform with a simple goal to make this OST worth listening to. And it sure is.. So go buy Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. Available on T-Series.

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