Hindi music reviews

Chak De! India
Salim-Sulaiman
The music of Chak De! India is different from the usual Yashraj-Shah Rukh Khan combo numbers. Those mushy romantic melodies heard in their earlier films such as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Veer Zaara are not a part of this album. Here we are treated to an upbeat, situational soundtrack that is more enjoyable while watching the film than listening to on a CD.

Composers Salim-Sulaiman (of Kaal and Iqbal fame) begin with the upbeat bhangra-pop title track Chak De! India. Sukhvinder Singh's robust vocals on this track reflect the patriotic and sportive spirit of the song, while Marianne and Salim's back-up vocals enhance the quality.

In Ek Hockey Doongi Main Rakhke, we hear the King Khan on vocals as he introduces players in the hockey team. Oozing attitude, this song is a fast hip-hop styled theme song, where practically every character in the film gets to mouth lines. A feel-good jingle-like Badal Pe Paon (sung by Hema Sardesai), which is a feminine take on the challenges in sports arena; Maula Mere (by Salim Merchant and Krishna) which is a Sufi sentimental number expressing despair of a fallen sports hero and Bad Girls (Anuska Manchanda), which is a poor noisy dance number, complete the album.

Woh Ajnabi
Various artistes
This album contains a good mix of recent racy numbers and mellow sentimental tracks. Its mission is to entertain and it does so with aplomb. Sizzlers such as Woh Ajnabi (by Mithun and Shweta Rao from The Train OST), Salam Aalekum (Adnan Sami from the Kisi Din OST) and It's Rocking (Alisha Chinoy from the Kya Love Story Hai OST) dominate the selection.

Hindustan Ki Kasam/ Hanste Zakhm
Madan Mohan
This twin '70s-soundtrack combo displays composer Madan Mohan's musical ingenuity. Superb songs such as Lata Mangeshkar's Hai Tere Saath Meri Wafa and Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna; Manna Dey's Har Taraf Ab Yehi Afsane Hain and Mohammad Rafi's Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho are examples of blending great tunes, rendition and lyrics.

Remembering O.P. Nayyar: Pure Melody
Various artistes
This album showcases some of the music composer's best melodies sung by Mohammed Rafi. Tracks include Pukarta Chala Hoon Main, Dil Ki Awaz Bhi Sun and Aap Ke Haseen Rukh Pe. Another highlight are the songs sung by Asha Bhosle: Jaaiye Aap, Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka and Chain Se Humko Kabhie.