Luck By Chance Shankar-EhsaAn-Loy

The talented composer trio, SEL, have churned out some striking melodies and Javed Akhtar has ably complemented them with his poetic lyrics. The album is definitely one of 2009's best releases to date. Shankar Mahadevan is the star attraction with three wonderful renditions. In Baawra, he leads a pack of feisty co-singers onto a folksy musical journey.

He then switches gears to a sentimental chord in O Rahi Re, which is reminiscent of his earlier KANK hit, Mitwa. His best is the moody, semi-classical Sapnon Se Bhare Naina. Sunidhi Chauhan chips in with a peppy pop track Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya, Shekhar Ravjiani teams up with Loy in a soft rhythmic track Yeh Zindagi and the Indian Idol-find Amit Paul joins Mahalaxmi in a catchy romantic duet Pyaar Ki Dastan.

Side By Side Shots
Various Artists

This album features remixes of famous Bollywood and Indi-pop tracks. Using gimmicks to the max, the already popular songs get a club-makeover with attractive upbeat musical arrangements. Numbers like Sonu Nigam's Jaane Ke Jaane Na, Sunidhi Chauhan's Billo, Himesh Reshammiya's Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Shaan-Sunidhi Chauhan's Mere Saath Chalte Chalte, Harry Anand's Pyar Do Pyar Lo and Xenia Ali's Dum Maaro Dum are the top offerings.

Shake Ur Body Remix
Various Artists

Get ready to shake your body to another remix album. It's the same formula: take a popular Bollywood or Indi-pop song, rev up its tempo, spice it up with some racy rhythms, garnish it with raunchy back-up vocals and finally serve it in a steamy music video! Neeraj Shridhar's Bhool Bhulaiya, Kunal Ganjawalla's Dil Na Diya, Sonu Nigam's Just Chill Chill, Wajid-Labh Janjua-Sneha Pant's Soni De Nakhre and Mika Singh's Mauja Hi Mauja are the top numbers.

Yeh Mere Ishq Ka Sila
Various Artists

Sentimental love ballads in the '60s-style: that's the name of the game here. Soapy lyrics lamenting heartbreak and unfaithful lovers are revived by some catchy tunes and good singers like Sonu Nigam, Aagam Kumar Nigam (Sonu's father) and Tulsi Kumar. The lovelorn songs like Ishq Na Karna, Meri Barbadi Ka Ab Jashn, Har Kasam Tod Di, Kab Tak Yaad Karoon and Bhula Na Sakoge should tell you what's in store for you.