Cocktail Music Review

Cocktail - An amazing album with a variety of rich music
Rating  4/5
Cocktail - meaning, a drink made from various alcoholic drinks and when done perfectly really tastes great. Cocktails have evolved from experiments, few of them were successful and few not so successful. Seems this is what Pritam wanted to do this time and he has not only succeeded but made his mark on it. Truly, this cocktail should be named - Pritam's cocktail.
 There is a long unusual list of 11 songs in the album; each one is unique in its own, mixed with a perfect blend of music, melody and instruments in background. All the songs are done very neatly - from rock to Sufi, from bandhu to sakha, from good voice to excellent music, from soft number to a rock number, from young to old, there is something for all.
 Track one, Tum Hi Ho Bandhu is already a massive hit. This is a masterpiece done by Pritam. Just realize this one – it is Sufi song done by Kavita Seth accompanied by modern instruments and good fast music, Never ever heard before. This one is melodious, soft but still a peppy number. Not to forget lyrics too add on magic Tum Hi Ho Bandhu, as these words were a prayer sung in morning school assemblies.
 The second song of the album, Daaru Desi has a different strength to its credit; the lyrics are simple and easy to remember. Each of us can easily hum this one and this is actually what makes it unique.
Next track Second Hand Jawani is a well done item number by Neha Kakkar which is fulfilling the purpose of a number that can attract masses and people can correlate this item number with the movie.
 An experiment, Yaariyaan is a true rock number and another dimension of what Pritam has created. For people who are in love with rock music, this is Pritam's gift and what makes it more recognizable are some beautiful voals by Mohan Kanan. Though the length of the song is over 6 minutes it never bogs you down.
 Followed by this is the track Lutna, a Sufi song, which is another experiment in the forte of Pritam da. A mix of modern instruments and amazing play of keyboard, this Sufi number is work of a genius.
Next in the album is Tera Naam Japdi Phiran , which is just an ordinary Punjabi number mixed with English punch lines that are inspired by the Barbie series.
 The experiment moves to the next track of Yaarian (reprise). Starting with the beautiful play of keyboard, it is accompanied by beautiful, melodious and soft voice of Sunidhi Chauhan which mixes high notes well. Usually it is found that two versions of the same song are not so different in an album, but this is not the case here. To say if one is sun and another is moon; these two versions are very different and done beautifully which shows that music director has been willing to takes up the challenge to do the same number in different ways and pretty much succeeded.
Jugni, is another gift for Sufi and rock lovers. It is Punjabi Sufi track with an element of rock in it and what makes it different from the league is the experiment done with drums. The next two tracks though, second versions each of Tera Naam Japdi Phiran and Lutna, are not much different from their original tracks and look just a repeat.
Last but not the least is Main Sharabi, a track that is not so impressive, but reminds of Gurdas Maan numbers. The song can do well in a cocktail party and enjoyed after couple of drinks.
 One rarely sees so many experiments being successfully done at one go and this challenge is lived up by Pritam. Overall it is an amazing album with a variety of rich music which has something for all.
 Music lovers would be delighted to hear this kind of album after a long, long time and going to live it for some more time to come.

‘Tezz’: Music Review (2012)

Music Review (2012)
 Film: “Tezz”
Music Director: Sajid-Wajid
Lyricist: Shabbir Ahmed and Jalees Sherwani
Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan

Rating: 

Making a music album for an action-packed Bollywood thriller is a tough task but composers Sajid-Wajid have managed to hold it together even with very few songs in the soundtrack of “Tezz”.

The album boasts of two melodious songs, one item number, a catchy title track along with remixes and different versions of the same tracks to keep you hooked to it.

To begin with when you think that you have heard the best from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, you are served with something so fresh and mesmerizing that one is bound to stop and take notice. “Tere Bina” is one such track that leaves an impact with its beautiful composition.

The soulful voice of Rahat breaks boundaries of emotional constraints and revs up every love string in your body. This romantic song is very soothing to ears. It has a Sufi touch and a calculated composition makes it a winner in the album.

Sajid-Wajid have often been successful in producing such love ballads. The lyrics of the song are simple and meaningful.

This track also has a female version. Sung by Shreya Ghoshal, it has beautiful renditions. There is also a sad version of the song, again sung in the soulful voice of Rahat.

Next on the playlist is “Main Hoon Shab” sung by Mohit Chauhan, which is a melodious track with a subtle qawwali flavour. The music directors have given depth to this song by blending Chauhan’s captivating voice with a good composition in a perfect way.

However, compared to the recent hits by Chauhan and those who love his tracks, it is a very plain stuff. Nonetheless, as part of the ensemble, it is wonderful track to listen. The music is light and enjoyable, while the qawwali element gives variation to the song.

“Main Hoon Shab” is followed by the item number “Laila”, which is hardly close to “Munni Badnaam Hui” or “Sheila Ki Jawaani”. It is a very average track and fails to make you groove. There are moments of energy here and there, but it fails to strike a chord.

Words too are very regular and “Laila” simply falls short of expectations. It also has a remix version.

Next up is the title track of the movie that has two versions, one sung by Shaan and the other by Sunidhi Chauhan. There is no denying of the fact that both singers have fantastic voice and they manage to bring out the energy required in this fast-paced track. This is a background score so the songs seem to tell a story.

The album falls short of expectations, but there are a few tracks that manage to bring about a smile on your face.
ians

‘Vicky Donor’: Music Review (2012)

Music Review (2012)
 Film: “Vicky Donor”
Music Director: Abhishek-Akshay, Donn-Bann, Rochak Kohli and Ayushmann
Lyricist: Kusum Verma, Vijay Maurya, Ayushmann Khurrana, Juhi Chaturvedi and Swanand Kirkire
Singers: Akshay Verma, Aditi Singh Sharma, Clinton Cerejo, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vishal Dadlani, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bann, Mika Singh and Sukanya Purkayastha
Rating: 

“Vicky Donor” is a first for many – it not only marks John Abraham’s foray into production, it is popular VJ Ayushmann Khurana’s first movie too and Abhishek-Akshay also start their journey as music director with the movie. They duo impress with the rawness in the album.
Donn-Bann, Rochak Kohli and Ayushmann too have contributed in the film’s soundtrack. The compositions are supported by lyrics from five different lyricists, who have done a decent job.
Opening track “Rokda” has ordinary lyrics, but the catchy tunes and composer Akshay Verma’s voice make it worth listening. Aditi Singh joins him and together they manage to pull it off well.
Next on the list is “Kho jaane de”, a soft love song with a nice composition. But yet again, Juhi Chaturvedi’s lyrics are a major lowdown. It is the singers Aditi and Clinton Cerejo who carry the song on their shoulders and make an impact with their melodious voice. The composition adds zing to the song, which is simple yet well crafted.
It is “Rum Whiskey” that manages to pack a punch and takes away the dullness from the soundtrack. The groovy Punjabi number has our very own Bollywood hunk John Abraham shaking a leg. My prediction is that even if the movie doesn’t work, the song will surely be a hit, especially at wedding parties for a long time.
“Paani da rang” comes as a wonderful surprise with Ayushmann, who seems to have gained a fair bit of experience by hosting music shows, singing it. He amazingly fits the bill. His fresh and soothing voice goes well with the composition, a blend of folk and pop tunes.
Ayushmann has co-composed and penned parts of the song and it is an absolute delight. The track also has a female version by Sukanya Purkayastha, which is equally comforting to the ear.
What follows is love ballad “Mar jayian”. Composed by newcomers Donn-Bann, the song has elements of both Sufi and rock.
The lyrics are by Swanand Kirkire and mesmerising voices of Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Dadlani do justice to the song. This is a perfect song, so just lay back and enjoy it.
It also has a sad version sung by Bann, which has a rustic feel and would be a good listen for those facing heartbreak blues.
Last but definitely not the least is “Chaddha” where Mika delivers the perfect ending track. It has funny lyrics like “Kismat ke lag gaye pakode, peeche pad gaya Chaddha” and catchy beats pointing to the character of Dr. Chaddha played by Annu Kapoor, who is chasing sperm donor Ayushmann.
Overall “Vicky Donor” is a good effort and the coming together of various artists makes it worth a listen.

‘Bittoo Boss’: Music Review (2012)

                                                       Music Review (2012)

Film: “Bittoo Boss”
Music Director: Raghav Sachar
Lyricists: Kumaar, Luv Ranjan, Aseem Ahmed Abbasi
Singers: Mika Singh, Raghav Sachar, Sonu Niigaam, Shahid Maliya, Master Saleem, Shreya Ghoshal, Tulsi Kumar, Natalie Di Luccio, Neeti Mohan
Rating: 

Forget about DK Bose as Bittoo Boss is here to take over. Already, embroiled in a controversy with the censor board having a problem with its double inuendo lyrics, most people still haven’t heard the song. Naughty to the core, in this song singer Mika dabbles with the international sound of composer Raghav Sachar.
After a two-year hiatus, Raghav has done just the perfect job of East meets West with the soundtrack with three lyricists at his disposal.
The title track of the album “Bittoo sab ki lega” instantly hits you. If you are able to adjust your ear buds to the unconventional words and engross in the music, the song is a pure delight. Penned by Luv Ranjan of “Pyaar Ka Punchnama” fame, the song is so likeable that you will keep pressing the repeat button over and over again.
Next on the playlist is “Kick lag gayi”. Sung by Mater Saleem and Tulsi Kumar, it is tailormade for wedding galas. A heady mix of traditional lyrics like “Latthe di chaadhar” fused with Punjabi beats, the song makes you break free. It even has a reference to pop star Lady Gaga.
The song has another version with Raghav himself taking center stage as the singer. Both of them are equally good, but the former is more upbeat though it’s hard to choose the better one in terms of composition.
Relaxing you on the couch is “Kaun kenda”, a love song crooned by Sonu Niigaam and Shreya Ghosal. It reminds you a lot of the song “Dekho na” from “Fanaa”. The Punjabi lyrics touch you and the duo has done a wonderful job transporting you to the mustard fields of Punjab. Brownie points to Raghav for including a qawaali segment that gives the song a mystic feel.
The song also has a slower acoustic version with Shreya behind the mike along with background intone of Shahid Mallaya.
Love is followed by heartbreak in the form of “Mann jaage”. Sung by Shahid, the sad number explores sadness that creeps in when the person you love the most goes away.
But the next number “Kabootar” peps up the mood again and Mika again delivers the right punch. Although it doesn’t surpass the title song, one has to admit that every song by Mika these days is a sure shot hit with the desi tadka that he propounds with his majestic voice.
Last but not the least is ‘Audi’, a signature Raghar song and Natalie Di Luccio joins him in it. Although it has Punjabi lyrics, and the chemistry Raghav creates by enjoining guitar riffs with R&B sounds makes it different.
All and all, the soundtrack is worth a buy and hopefully Bollywood gets to see more of Raghav in times to come. (IANS)