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Our talented UK boys are back after Singh Is Kinng with a chatpata mixture of music styles on this soundtrack called Aloo Chaat. Yup.. it’s RDB back in business in the massive Bollywood industry with their mix of Bhangra, Hindustani & RnB music styles… but this time with No Akshay Kumar around !!

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Aloo Chaat is yet another Bollywood romantic comedy starring Aftab Shivdasani & the gorgeous Aamna Shariff. It is directed by Robby Grewal and Produced by Anuj Saxena. The trailers of the movie are hilarious and seems like a proper wedding drama family movie based in Delhi. It is set for release in the UK on 20th March 09. Although a small budget flick with no major names in the cast, it surely seems to have the fun element that a normal man craves after a long day at work.

The music is not completely the work of RDB trio but the title song is and thus so has RDB on the cover as the main producers. The other composers on the album are Xulfi, Vipin Mishra & Mehfuz Mahruf. Lets find out what’s the soundtrack like that is already up on all the charts.

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Aloo Chaat (Title Song) – RDB try to give Bollywood the British MC rap flavour in this song. Quite frankly I am not a big fan of such rap style RDB work. They are best when they stick to authentic Bhangra beats and desi mixes. This track is not bad work but I know it does not have a mass appeal in India. You will have the rickshaw drivers switching channels as soon as this song comes on radio. It’s for the cool college crowd as is very “street”. Hate the rap by Smooth but love the vocals of real life couple Manj & Nindy Kaur. They sound fresh and their self written lyrics are good too. Don’t see this song going a long way as it lacks the Bollywood touch.. but surely is something new for that market. 6/10.

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Track 2 – Dhadke Jiya – This song is all about Xulfi. He has written it.. composed and produced the music.. and sung it too. He does a better job as a singer and impresses with the lyrics. The music is average and is prominently acoustic guitar based. I like this song & think it is one of the better romantic songs this year. With the right promotion, this track is heading north on the charts for sure. For a full package man Xulfi & his soulful rendition – 7/10 .

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Track 3 – Aloo Chaat – I don’t get it why this track is not the title song!! It’s very Bollywood and super cool. Vipin Mishra does the music and lyrics while the tiny sufi superstar Kailash Kher blesses the song with his voice and unique style. Other than his amazing vocals, this track has a very easy going but funky beat structure & pleasing fun lyrics. The texture of the beats with the Punjabi shouts creates a great blend with the bass. The predominantely Punjabi lyrics are full of rhymes and funny at times. My favourite track on this OST – 8/10 .

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Track 4 – Boliyaan (Giddha) – Now that’s what I am talking about when I say “RDB are the best when they stick to Bhangra”. NO music director in Bollywood can deliver a track like this !! A proper Punjabi wedding Giddah song like none other. It’s got the traditional lyrics back with the amazing vocals of Nindy Kaur and Manj. Am only doubtful of how did they ever imagine Manj’s vocals to suit Aftaab :/   But what the heck.. it’s a great song & will be my fav for all weddings I DJ at for sometime. 7.5/10 .

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Track 5 – Life Is A Sizzling Aloo Chaat – Kunal Ganjawal sings to the beats of Mehfuz Mahruf and the lyrics of Syed Gulrez. All in all.. it’s a dud package. I think it’s the most boring & at points, annoying !! Skip it.. It lacks sensible lyrics, catchy music and dynamic vocals. 4.5/10 .

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Track 6 – Dhadke Jiya (Remix) – Nah.. nahhhh… DJ Moody & DJ Imti work hard to transform a good track into plain average. They just add a beat to the original song.. The worse is they add re-verb & flanging effects to the amazing vocals of Xulfi and ruin them. 4.5/10 .

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Track 7 – Boliyaan (Giddha) (2nd Version) – RDB doing a 2nd version of the original Boliyaan. This is a more appropriate version of Mehndi ceremonies. It starts slower and then picks up all the way to the top. This is also the version used in the movie. Nothing majorly different in this version except for the pace. 7/10 .

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Track 8 – Aloo Chaat (Remix) – DJ Moody & DJ Imti don’t do a bad job on this ‘already very cool’ track. It has a slight Electro pattern to it but does not truly classify as that. It’s an average regular mix style that you very commonly hear. Nothing original or different here. 6/10 .

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FINAL WORD

Average – 6.5/10 .

The biggest saving grace this OST has is that it does not have any totally rubbish track on it. It’s full of average & slightly above average tracks. This makes the OST buy-able as you wont be spending the money just for a couple of good tracks. Plus we have RDB on it which any day adds a lot of weight to the sale value in the UK market.

Boliyaan is the track that opens the door of Bollywood to folk Punjabi music… while Dhadke Jiya brings out the talented Xulfi in the limelight. Aloo Chaat is my favourite track & recommendation. This album is unique to the Bollywood music market & is recommended. Lets see what the movie is like now..

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The first insight I got about the music of Delhi-6 was in an interview with lyricist Prasoon Joshi when talking to him about the music of Ghajini. I had asked him what the chemistry is like between him and Mr. Rahman. All he said was, “We are working together on the music of a movie called Delhi-6. Listen to that and you will know”. I think for any music lover that one line wraps up anticipation and expectations !!

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Last time the team of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi and A. R. Rahman got together one of India’s most acclaimed and highest grossing movie was made with the name Rang De Basanti (RDB). The music of that movie made an equal impact and touched/inspired millions.

Blessed are these three and Thank you to them for creating Delhi-6 for I have not heard anything like this in an era. Just when you feel Prasoon cant get better with the pen (after Maa & Guzarish) and Rahman has delivered his best ( with Ghajini, Jaane Tu.. ya Jaane Na, Slumdog Millionaire ) , Mr. Mehra steps in and inspires a creative epic in the form of Delhi-6.

The music touches different aspects of Delhi and its life in romance, faith, beauty, fun and classical tradition. Bollywood has a growing obsession with Delhi and especially Chandni Chowk area of old Delhi ( Oye lucky.. lucky oye, Chandni Chowk to China ). For those who dont know, the “6” in the title refers to the pincode of the Chandni Chowk area in Delhi and so the music revolves around the lifestyle of that area.

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REVIEW

Everyone in India knows about the musical brilliance of A R Rahman. People in UK know about that too through his musicals like Lord of the Rings and Bombay Dreams. Now.. the whole world knows about his capabilities with his current rise to fame as being the first Indian to win the Golden Globe for the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire. Rahman proves with Delhi-6 that he can outdo his own self !!

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Track 1 – Masakali – Truly innovative, harmonic and melodious in all possible ways. Usually songs that come at the start of the year fade out of our memory by the year end when you get to judge the best songs of the year. I am very sure Masakali will not just remain fresh in our minds but will also win that best song title !! The lyrics are truly fun and the work of a genius. You would expect such lyrics from the old guru’s like Javed Akhtar or Gulzar. But young Prasoon Joshi proves that linguistic and poetic abilities have not faded in our generation.

Cant praise Mohit Chauhan’s vocals enough. He makes this song what it is !! Deep and soulful. Rahman does his magic with a superb Bass guitar work with Harmonica, Bongo’s, Ghattam, Accordion and an amazing classical style violin orchestra. The music creates an atmo-fun-sphere around you in which you can visualise the carefree attitude of the characters. You wont find anything missing or expect anything more out of this song – 10/10 .

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Track 2 – Arziyan – I am a big fan of Javed Ali’s singing abilities ( Jashn-e-Bahara, Guzarish, Ek Din teri rahon mein, Nagaada nagaada ). He prove’s it yet again why. This time he has Kailash Kher for company. Rahman goes back on the lines of his typical Islamic Sufi religious songs like Khawaja Mere Khawaja & Piya Haji Ali. This time only better. This 9 minute long song is serene and pious. It will make you believe in the power of simple music and gratitude to God and you won’t come to know where 9 minutes have passed. Tabla, harmonium, and bass are the simple ingredients that make this a perfect combination with Prasoon’s amazing lyrics. Truely soul touching 8.5/10 .

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Track 3 – Dilli-6 – Remember ‘Khalbali Hai Khalbali’ in RDB ? This title track takes you right there. The song is very cool & groovy. A variety of singers including Blaaze, Benny & Tanvi add the extra zing factor to the track. It also has French vocals provided by Viviane and Claire. I don’t remember when was the last time a Bollywood music director decided to add a French touch to they soundtrack. There are certain things only Rahman can do !! Lyrics are plain and ordinary. This song is for it’s youthful cool quotient and not it’s deep lyrical factor. 7.5/10 .

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Track 4 – Rehna Tu – A Rahman OST is never complete without a song in his own voice. Especially if it is a romantic one… This composition could have been used by any International band and delivered a worldwide hit with it. The song is truly Global and unique. It even breaks into an Arabic style chorus in between and Karnatic towards the end. It has Rahman written all over it.. It’s all him.. !!

If you can manage to get your attention off Rahman’s sublime and suttle vocals then listen to the lyrics. I think they are better than those of Guzarish. One can play this song and make anyone fall in love with them.. Romantic at it best – 9/10 .

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Track 5 – Hey Kaala Bandar – I dont get this track and don’t know why it’s there on the OST… Perhaps the only disappointing track on this CD   Lyrics are crooked with crap English rap. Music is stylish but not enough. Plus it has inspired parts from Yuvraaj’s ‘Dil Ka Rishta’ song. Vocals by Karthik, Naresh, Srinivas and Bony are good but don’t stand out. We need to wait and watch how this song is placed in the movie. Might make more sense then.. For now lets ignore it. 5/10 .

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Track 6 – Dil Gira Dafatan – Rahman is known to introduce new singers all the time. But this time he plays a gamble with singer Ash King. He gives him brilliant romantic lyrics but barely any music.. relying all the way on his vocal delivery. Does it work?? It sure does.. It’s Rahman & Prasoon backing Ash after all. His voice has a deep classical and vintage Bollywood texture that I simply love. At the start, the ‘Dil Mera’ chanting itself makes a lasting impression and sets the tone for the rest of the song.

Lyrics are as good as Track 4 Rehna Tu. The orchestration, altough minimal, is the best I have heard in a long time. The violin’s & spanish guitar just take you away on a journey. The composition is simply brilliant. Put this song on repeat – 9/10 .

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Track 7 – Genda Phool – This short track has some of the best classical female voices of the present time. Rekha Bharadwaj, Sujata Majumdar, Shrradha Pandit and V.N Mahathi contribute to this shocking song. Why shocking?? The song opens to Rekha’s folk rustic vocals and then just out of nowhere a brilliant funky beat kicks in leaving you stunned !!! Is there any style or musical trick Rahman can’t execute ?? This time Rajat Dholakia adds to the composition making it a ‘out of the box’ track. Perfect for wedding Mehndi functions. I can’t get enough of this 8.5/10 .

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Track 8 – Bhor Bhaye – A pure classical track has not been heard in any Bollywood OST for years now. Rahman brings the magic back in it’s purest form. I am trained in classical music and I assure you the Thumri Gujri Todi is not easy to deliver.. and nor is what Rahman has managed to deliver here with a perfect transition and mix of the original recording by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and the new breath-taking rendition by Shreya Ghoshal. Kudos to her for making this sound effortless and truly Hindustani classical.

Prasoon Joshi shocks us here with his talent and knowledge of Indian music and poetry. He has written additional lyrics to a decades old classical piece maintaining it’s true flavour. Love the Tabla and Harmonium on this track. I can’t imagine the time Rahman and his team must have spent on cleaning up the original recording for today’s clear digital release. The mix sounds perfect !! This track should be used as a case study in Sound Engineering courses… A masterpiece – 9.5/10 .

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Track 9 – Aarti (Tumre Bhavan Mein) – Sitar, timbals and voice. This combination has been the highlight of religious classical music in India for centuries. Rahman brings back his ‘O Palanhare’ formula from ‘Lagaan’ only this time to traditional lyrics and composition. Rekha Bharadwaj, Sujata Majumdar, Shrradha Pandit & Kishori Ashok Gowariker render this Hindu Aarti in its purest form. You can’t help but feel overwhelmed in these 3 minutes. 8.5/10 .

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Track 10 – Noor – Amitabh Bachchan features to wrap up this album with a monologue poem. It does not have to be music all the time. Some times words say it all. This 50 second piece talks about Love for that one special person who you see everywhere and in everything. 8/10 .

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FINAL WORD

Brilliant – 9/10 .

I recommend tracks 1, 2, 3… Damn.. chuck it.. I RECOMMEND THE FULL ALBUM.. !! Please go buy it.. It’s worth every penny. True to all expectations and a must have in every music lovers collection. The album is a genius musically, lyrically, vocally and even as far as the engineering goes. Big up Rahman, Prasoon Joshi and Omprakash Mehra for brining it all together !!!

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One of Bollywood’s most expensive film venture – “Victory” has cameo’s by some of the biggest names in Cricket. Likes of Allan Border, Brian Lara, Bret Lee, Shoaib Malik & many more drop by in the movie & that’s what I guess makes this movie one of the most expensive films ever in Bollywood !!

So much so, I think first time director/writer/producer Ajit Pal Mangat got overwhelmed & lost track of his finances and forgot to pay anything to his Music team. You can critisize .. but cannot doubt the musical talent of music director – Anu Malik. But what was he thinking this time !!!!

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At the time when the young Indian cricket team is on a winning & record breaking spree.. comes out another sports film at the start of 2009 about a small town Rajasthani boy who dreams & makes it big in Cricket. You would expect the music to have a certain standard & feel to it. But…

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Money Money Money - I cant think of a worse track to start the album with. He Tried to give it trance dancy feel to it. But got no where. Forget playing in a club.. I wont even play it in an empty loo. If you buy this album start listening from track 2 else after listening to this you might just switch off. Enough said..

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Track 2 – Balla Utha Chakka Laga – By far the best track on the album. Still not very good. It has the Punjabi sportie feel with powerful vocals by Daler Mehndi & Sukhwinder Singh. The song reminds you of ‘Halla Bol’ from ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Gol’.  The composition is a good blend of excitement, climax tension, patriotism and all the fun & emotions that go along in a game of pride. This song might become the highlight of the movie if shot well and can also deliver a visual message.

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Track 3 -Aisa Toh Socha Na Tha – Singer KK proves his musical range & ability once again on a song with age old composition. Nothing new or noticiable in the track except for the lyrics & singing. the composition, orchestration & flow of the song is average & predictable. It sounds like a million other sad songs made in Bollywood. Anu get your act up together. You just wasted some good lyrics & vocals !!

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Track 4 – We Love Kirket – I love the way Kailash Kher says “Kirket”. It’s a good upbeat song which sums the love of cricket in India. Very strong lyrics with sentences like “Diwali & Eid come once a year but we celebrate the festival of Cricket throughout the year”. The raw rural feel to the song is well done by Anu Malik with some traditional Rajasthani string instruments. Kailash Kher is great as always. I can imagine this song becoming a cult at cricket stadiums across India as has the capacity of becoming a hit with the masses of India especially rural.

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Track 5 – Tu Ne Re – You might want to skip this track the first time you hear it as it is a very slow romantic song. But listen to it again & again… It will grow on you. The music score reminds you of Pehla Nasha from JJWS. I am not saying it is even close to as good as that but yess… it does a fair job. A good romantic song with piano, acoustic guitar & light orchestra along with good lyrics and Shaan at his best with deep romantic vocals.

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Track 6 – Victory – You might just sit wondering when this track will get over as its quite long. Very repetitive music unless you pay attention to the vocals which are drowning in the music anyway. Great vocals by Dibyendu Mukherji & suit the song lyrics & feel. But not a song I will listen to again.

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Track 7 – Mazaa Aa Gaya – This is a difficult song to comment on without watching the movie. It sure is a family festive song of celebrations. Veeeeeery cheesyyyyyyyyy !!! Like all the other songs in this album I think this one is saved by all the brilliant singers on it as well. A fun song with low average vocals to a dhol beat. I can visualise Anupam Kher being the fun himself in this song. It is very situational & I can’t imagine it being played at your family get togethers unless you are pissed cause then the punch line Mazaa Aa gaya will blend in just right.

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FINAL WORD

Average !!  – 5.5/10

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After delivering some really good songs in his last 3 movies Love Story 2050, Ugly aur Pagli, Maan Gaye Mugall-e-Azam.. you would have expected something brilliant from Anu Malik in a movie which is on a subject that touches almost every life in the Asian Sub-continent. But not a single song stands out in this album of 7 average & below average songs. The rating of 5.5 is for songs 2, 4, 5 and a little for track 7. Excellent singer choices by Anu Malik and they save the album by delivering on every song. Compositions, instrumentation & arrangements are poor. The only saving grace to get any radio or TV airplay for songs of Victory would be if they have been picturised well and deliver visually. Else… give this album a miss.. !

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