Daringly different

Debutante Jasvinder Singh shuns the pop pack to sing ghazals
Yours Truly - Jasvinder Singh
Another Punjabi pop album, that too with an English title? You approach the new release with caution and load it on your music system, expecting to be blasted by the dhol. But what you hear takes you by surprise - the strains of soft Indian classical instruments keeping beat to the tabla with a mellifluous voice floating across. After hearing much of Punjabi pop, this is a welcome change. The smooth ghazals by Jasvinder Singh, like those of Pankaj Udhas, are delightful.
Surprise, surprise, a debutante entering the ghazal world at a time when newcomers are jumping into the pop arena lock, stock and barrel. This daring-to-be-different singer is none other than the son of music director Kuldip Singh (composer of Saath Saath and Ankush) and a winner of Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma finals.
Having trained rigorously under his father and after years of fine tuning, Jasvinder has perfected the nuances of ghazal singing. Result: Top quality and style. His launch vehicle, composed by his father, finds him in command of the situation as he renders eight moving ghazals on love, intoxication, separation, longing and pass imp.
The songs are penned by contemporary Urdu poets including Payam Saeedi, Amjad Hyderabadi, Naqsh Laylpuri, Bashir Badr and Jigar Muradabadi. Jasvinder manages to put ample emotion into the numbers beginning with Chehra Gulabi, a quintessentially romantic number. But this is upstaged by another romantic tune Kya Cheez Yeh Sharab Hai.
Side B begins with a top tune. Sakt Rahon Mein is sentimental and also the most lyrically-rich number on the album. Equally good on the lyrics is Aadmi Aadmi Se. Aao Chale Maikhane Mein is a melodious composition made endearing by Jasvinder's soft voice.
Here's a fresh talent deserving a huge pat on the hack for daring to be different.

Good luck Mundeya - Shweta Shetty
Some time ago, aspiring as well as established pop singers used to flock to Jawahar Whattal for Punjabi pop albums. But looks like they've changed loyalties, their favourite now seems to be Anand Raj Anand. And this time the composer waves his wand for Indi-pop singer Shweta Shetty, who has tried her hand at the hot-selling Punjabi numbers.
This is a swift changeover for the singer who looks comfortable belting out the opening number, Main Teri Good Luck Mundeya, a rumbustious bhangra track.
But her nasal tone and affected voice does not fit the genre, thus failing to bring out the Punjabi flavour in the interesting tune.
Most of her songs are light and frothy like the following Munda Mere Pichhe Pai Gaya. Shweta seems to be settling comfortably under the baton of Anand Raj who com- poses a mid-tempo track, Pichha Kudiyan, for the sultry siren.
For Main Idhar Se, the pop diva seems at ease as this is a fast dance floor track.
Her Dil Dhak Dhak, the opening number on the flip side, is also based on fun while Ik Ladka is again Punjabi pop. Kabhi Haye Kare is a rapper's delight. Shweta, as is her wont, gives her best in this concluding number.
The Indi-pop star's die-hard fans would love to hear their favourite singer in her new avatar.

Dhamaka Mix
Here's one compilation which will sweep dance freaks off their feet. The album features 10 popular remix hits from new and not-so-new films. Some of the original songs here may not be all that fast but they are nevertheless made electrifying for the compilation.
Included are all-time popular songs like Menu Lagan Lagi from Dil Kya Kare, Woh Pehli Baar from Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi and Ae Nazneen Dil Hi Dil Mein which has catchy beats. This compilation will be liked by those who want their favourite hits in one album.