Hindi album review

Dil Le Gaya Ajnabi – Alka Yagnik-Samir Yagnik

Looking at the cover jacket in light of the title, Dil Le Gaya Ajnabi, you might just wonder when did this Samir spring up in this otherwise low-profile singer's life. But don't let your imagination run wild as the guy in question here is her brother. Now that bit of information should lay all the speculation to rest. Here's a celebrity sister sharing a slice of her spotlight with her kin – an NRI from Singapore.

This is Alka's second non-film album after Tum Yaad Aaye (1997). In this effort, the focus is on light as well as popular numbers. However, Alka's mass appeal is nowhere close to that of someone like Falguni Pathak. Though high on rhythm, the tunes still have Alka's soft singing and can broadly be classified as offbeat. An example is the opening number, Dil Tha Yahan Abhi, which is enjoying repeated airplay on the satellite channels.

This duet, with its mix of retro and traditional beats, has a south Indian flavour and though Alka is her usual, confident self, Samir fails to impress because of his immature voice. Incidentally, for his solo efforts in Shabnami Sargam and Raat Ko Neend Na Aaye, he modulates his voice around Pankaj Udhas and Amit Kumar. But he seems more inspired in the company of his sister for the concluding Aate Jaate Hui Tumse.

Samir coincidentally shares his name with the composer of this album. The real surprise, however, is Manohar Iyer, a Tamilian writing Hindi lyrics.
On her part, Alka carries the album on her shoulders. She seems all out for an image change after doing serious stuff in Refugee, Fiza, Dhadkan etc. She tries to prove her versatility, like Asha Bhosle, in fast numbers like Thoda Thoda Tumpe which is okay but she goes overboard in  Yahan Wahan Mera which has fast modern beats. Now is that Alka's definition of mass appeal music?

Her other solo number, Aasman Pe Mein Chaloon, is soft and offbeat but the following Main Kangna Khhan Khhan is folkish. Now what is Alka up to? Can't she make up her mind what she really wants to dish out? Is she trying to promote an offbeat or a mass appeal album?
Dil Le Gaya can be considered as a mix bag for Alka seeking limelight for her debutant brother.

Absolute hits – Volume 2

Yet another compilation of popular songs which grabs your attention with heartthrob Hrithik Roshan's pictures on the cover jacket. Now Hrithik fans might be interested in knowing that the album has two songs from Fiza including the opening Aaja Mahiya and the title song, Tu Hawa Hai Fiza Hai. And there's something for Abhishek Bachchan's fans too as one number from the small B's film, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya (Jo Ishq Ka Matlab Samjhenga) is also included. The rest of the songs are from Deewane, Hamara Dil and Aaghaaz.
– Cassettes courtesy: Vanilla Music