EXPECTATIONS

Now this one does sound like a promising album. First and foremost names like Pritam and Irshad Kamil are good enough to result in a quality album. Case in point being Love Aaj Kal and Jab We Met where the composer-lyricist 'jodi' has already succeeded in creating magic. Secondly, the film is a romcom in the offering with heart-throbs like Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif being paired opposite each other for the first time. Thirdly, the film is a TIPS production and it would be difficult to imagine that Ramesh Taurani would settle down for anything substandard for his own music label. With expectations well in place, one plays on Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.

MUSIC

It's a rocking kick start for the album with some groovy beats followed by Hard Kaur's rendition leading to a superb rhythmic build up for 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. K. K. comes on scene immediately and gets the pace rolling for this club track that has chartbuster written all over it. This is a kind of number that Pritam has specialized in over the years. No wonder, he makes use of his hit track record to create yet another number that straight away makes an impression in the very first listening. What impresses most in the song is the way he uses Sunidhi Chauhan in the song as each and every line from her brings in that spunk and edge to 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. This one is meant for the big screen viewing.

There are two more versions that follow for 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. While one definitely looks forward to the 'remix version' which gets on a faster pace and makes one head for the dance floors, what surprises is the track 'Follow Me' which is a recreated version of the same song. This one is a solo version by Hard Kaur and gets into a similar seductive mood as 'Touch Me Touch Me' [Race]. Let's have a music video rolling. All in all, just the kind of treat that one was looking forward to from the album as one looks forward to what Pritam has to offer in songs to follow.

At the very first instance, 'Tu Jaane Na' seems to be embarking on a sudden start. However, a minute into the song, Atif Aslam takes over the proceedings and comes up with a heartfelt rendition for this love track. With a 'sufi' element to it, what strikes most about 'Tu Jaane Na' is a certain purity that makes it yet another quality number that Imtiaz Ali would have loved to have in his next film. Moving at a smooth pace, 'Tu Jaane Na' boasts of good lyrics and one wonders why the promos of the song have not yet been released?

Since the number takes its own time in settling down, the makers have made a smart choice in placing it as many as four times with different singers coming on board. After Atif Aslam, the song appears in a 'reprise version' with Soham, Rana Mazumdar and Ashish Pandit coming together. In fact this one turns out to be slightly more 'filmy' version in the way Soham goes about rendering the song. A 'remix version' may have sounded unnecessary on paper due to the theme and pace of the song. However, credit to DJ Suketu who gives a different dimension to 'Tu Jaane Na' and makes it sound as if this one could well have been an original version. A good remix creation.

Finally arrives an 'unplugged version' and as Kailash Kher, Paresh and Naresh go about their act, one is convinced that 'Tu Jaane Na' is pretty much the other highlight number in the album after 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. This is a kind of song that can be heard on a repeat mode without being bored. With first two tracks making such an impression, one goes on to have good expectations from the songs to follow.

The quintessential 'shehnai' tune that is heard in marriages finds a remix going for it, courtesy Pritam who spins a track titled 'Oh By God'. It's this 'shehnai' which is an integral part for this song that is fun and youthful with Mika and Sunidhi Chauhan coming together. Yet another high energy dance in the album, it's the kind of track that could boast of an enhanced appeal if supported by some vibrant dance moves.

Melody returns to the album soon after with Atif Aslam coming together with Alisha Chenoy for 'Tera Hone Laga Hoon'. Written by guest lyricist Ashish Pandit (who does spin a nice romantic tale), this one is a love song that takes one straight to the hills and the trees. A kind of love song that has time and again worked, 'Tera Hone Laha Hoon' has both the singers coming together with some heartfelt rendition that makes it a kind of hear that is quite comfortable on ears. Thankfully, the 'remix version' doesn't go overboard either and keeps the spirit of melody intact.

'Prem Ki Naiyya' follows next but doesn't quite stand in the same league as most of its predecessors. In a lesser album one wouldn't have quite minded this rhythmic dance number that has a rooted Indian feel to it. Still, in spite of the presence of Neeraj Sridhar and Suzanne D'Mello, the number just stays on to be a decent hear and that's about it, even as a 'remix version' follows for this track too.

The album sees a good ending for itself with 'Aa Jao Meri Tamanna' that makes an instant impression, just like was the case in 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. However, the genre of both the tracks is totally different here. While 'Main Tera. .' is a dance track, 'Aa Jao.. ' is a love song which has melody as it's pace. This one again has a distinct Pritam feel to it, whether in terms of rendition, pace or arrangements. What also makes the song a certain high is the manner in which Javed Ali goes about his rendition. He does quite well and one can easily sense that he has his heart pretty much set for this song. Jojo gives him good company for this song that also appears in a well deserved 'remix version'.

OVERALL

This is Pritam's year. Period. Delivering chartbusters by dozens all through the year, he can now look forward to another bountiful of hit songs up his sleeves with Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Also, Ranbir and Katrina can enjoy a hugely popular track for themselves in the form of 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. Go, pick this one up from the shelves!

OUR PICK(S)

'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri', 'Follow Me', 'Tu Jaane Na', 'Aa Jao Meri Tamanna', 'Tera Hone Laga Hoon'

EXPECTATIONS

Film's title - Shaabash! You Can Do It. Music: Santokh Singh Dhaliwal. Producer: Unknown. Director: Unknown. Actors: Unknown. Promotion: Zilch. Hype: Zero. Expectations: Rock bottom.

MUSIC

Lyricist Kumaar writes the title track 'You Can Do It Shaabash' which is nothing better than an ad jingle. In fact from the very start till the finish, the track carries a jingle feel to it, whether in terms of theme, music or rendition by Soham Chakravorty. The pace too seems to have been designed for an advertisement world rather than a film and the result is that this title track hardly helps in gaining audience's attention.

Remember a lesser known track 'Chand Se Parda Kijiye' from Saif Ali Khan and Shilpa Shetty starrer Aao Pyaar Karen (1994)? The opening of this Aadesh Shrivastav composed song is presented as it is for 'Ek Haqeeqat Tum Lagte Ho'. Surprisingly, Javed Ali is at his uninspired worst for this song and the normally reliable singer just doesn't get the romantic mood on for this clichéd track written by Dev Narayan. In fast his rendition just doesn't carry any spark whatsoever while presence of newcomer Lavanya doesn't help the case either. All in all, another dull number in the album.

'Me Myself' tries to get the required attitude belonging to the youth but doesn't reach anywhere close. Kunal Ganjawala tries to get into the boots of a rock star but nothing really works for this Kumaar written Hinglish track which one best skips mid-way itself.

Lyricist Dev Narayan returns with 'Lagta Nahi Dil' which tries to merge conventional Bollywood melody (belonging to the 'Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka' mode) along with Sufi. Though it is slightly better than what one has heard in the album so far, the old fashioned composition coupled with some screechy rendition by Soham Chakravorty doesn't take it anywhere. In comparison, it makes for a better listening when Santokh Singh Dhaliwal himself comes behind the mike. One hopes it is his version that is retained in the final copy of the film.

One ends up giving a big yawn while coming across a song that has a title like 'Kiss Me One More Time'. As expected, just like the title song, this one too is a jingle track with a 'Beat 1 Beat 2' approach. Rahul Seth's lyrics seem to have been written in a college canteen over a round of 'samosas' while the song appears to have been composed in a jiffy as well. One wonders for how long Sunidhi Chauhan would continue to believe in volumes when she is in such a comfortable position to pick and choose.

Finally this listless album comes to an end with 'Main Hi Main Hoon'. Without worrying much about the final outcome of this yet another track around 'I Me Myself', one is actually relieved that there won't be any more songs to follow. This Kumaar written song has Rahul Seth, Krishna and Nakash Aziz coming together. The song sees a mix of urban dance steps coming together with devotional theme interspersed with a 'qawalli' portion. What surprises though is an 'extended version' of the same song appearing at the end of the album which has an additional 4 minutes of 'shloka' rendition. Core situational.

OVERALL

Shaabash! You Can Do It does see a spark or two at some points in the album but overall doesn't carry anything in it that could entice a music lover to pick it up from the stands.

Grammy winner American singer-rapper-musician-producer Kanye West’s reported decision to escape to a Hindu ashram (hermitage) in India for about a month to seek spiritual guidance.

Kanye Omari West (Graduation), 32, was crowned by MTV as the “Hottest MC in the Game”. Death of West’s mother in 2007 after surgery complications reportedly left a lasting impression on him. He recently cancelled his joint tour with American recording artist Lady Gaga. Last month he stage-crashed at MTV Video Music Awards and US President Barack Obama called him “jackass”. Ashram trip would come as a long needed break for him.

This Ashram is located in a small coastal town in South India. In Sri Aurobindo's (philosopher-yogi who died in 1950) view, Man, at present, lives mostly in his surface mind, life and body. There is an inner being within which pushes him to a constant pursuit of a greater beauty, harmony, power and knowledge.

The festival of lights is right around the corner, people! But are sweets and dry fruits the only options for gift-giving?

It’s time to move beyond the traditional symbols of celebration and think along an altogether more musical note. The hit-making musical trio that is Shankar Ehsaan Loy, like their music, choose to innovate this festive season. The trio decided to get ‘musically’ innovative!

Shankar Mahadevan gifted a Sennheiser HD series headphone to his friend and colleague Ehsaan, who was naturally overjoyed. Shankar says, “Music brings a smile to everyone’s face. So we thought of spreading happiness with music this Diwali! Sennheiser offers high quality sound equipment with features that include crystal clear sound quality with noise cancellation. And for Ehsaan, this is perhaps one of the most cherished Diwali gifts.”

Loy also chose the same gift. “We desperately need to revamp Diwali. There are so many ways of celebrating with your family, and music is one of them. The brand’s new range is ideal for setting a new refreshing trend for gifting this Diwali. Let’s spread smiles and happiness with music; sweets and chocolates find no favour anymore with health conscious people!”

Ehsaan, on the other hand, was already sure that the headphoness were to be his gift to his family and friends. “I did not want to give them something that they would expect. A gift looks good when it comes as a pleasant surprise. It is the perfect gift for anyone and everyone!” The fact that even he has got the same as a gift only makes him happier. “Since we work together, we are bound to think the same way, I guess,” jokes Shankar.

If you were all enthralled watching the magniloquent ‘City of God’, here’s a Desi version on it. ‘Renigunta’ boast about 5 young ruffians, who after escaping from the Madurai Central Jail get into a train heading Mumbai. At a point, the hooligans get down at ‘Renigunta’ Station and rest of the film is about their encounters and bizarre situations.

The film is directed by Panneer Selvam and is by produced by Mahendra Jain of Film Fabricators.

Debutant Ganesh Raghavendran has scored music to the lyrics of Na. Muthukumar, Yughabharathi and Piraisudan.

Actor Vijayakanth will launch the film’s audio at Satyam Cinemas this evening with Ameer, Jeyam Ravi and Silambarasan receiving the first copies.

We bring you the first exclusive music review of ‘Renigunta’ with few moments left for the audio launch.

The musical album of ‘Renigunta’ has 6 tracks tuned in different styles.

Mazhai Peyyum has Harish Raghavendra crooning the song to the spellbinding lyrics of Yughabharathi. Instrumental parts have been very well engineered and little more focus on voice would have made this song perfect on all panoramas.

Thallakulam- Actor Simbhu strikes with a spectacular show and Ganesh Raghavendran has tuned it with typical rap style. Na. Muthukumar has stepped out from his usual traits with unusual lyrics centring on young roughnecks across southern districts.

Kandaen Kanmaniyae- Here comes yet another melodious treat from Shreya Ghosal. The vocalism part has been carried through well through the song with instrumentations orchestrated with perfection. Na. Muthukumar has delivered poignant lyrics centred on pathos of a girl in love.

Vizhigalilae- You can spot more similarities with the previous song. Ganesh Raghavendran has presented the tunes on same ragas. The beats are more similar to ‘Anal Melae’ from ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ crooned by the same singer Bombay Jayashri. Yughabharathi’s lyrics are praiseworthy.

Gandharvanin Kottai- Ranjitha does a good job on phonations and rhythmic beats are excellent. Though, the song doesn’t grasp into your senses, it may probably do well once the visuals are released.

VAAZHKAI YARIDAM- Ganesh has repeated the melodic tune of ‘Kanden Kanmaniyae’ with a completely different lyrics penned by Na. Muthukumar. Vijay Yesudas dominates with his splendid intonations. Looks like the visuals would be completely brimmed with montages revolving around the film’s protagonist in desolated situation.

On whole, the songs of ‘Renigunta’ are likely to make it big in audio markets. Newcomer Ganesh Raghavendran has done a great job of tuning melodies on various genres. The music director proves himself to be a perfectionist in orchestrating best instrumentations, roping in apt singers and churning out the melodies in unique style.

She’s the Thai pop star who sizzled in the song Dhoom Machale from the first installment of the high-octane movie series. Tata Young hasn’t done  more in B’wood but is out with her new single and, as she says in a chat from Bangkok, is “very busy” promoting it...

Your original name is Amita Marie Young. How did you start using the name Tata?
A Thai person normally has a name to go with in his passport, etc – a more formal name – and mine is Amita Marie Young. But my nickname is Tata, my family calls me that.

What sort of attention did Dhoom get you from India? Were there more offers from Bollywood?
Oh, absolutely. I got offers for Bollywood films also. But I didn’t have time to shoot them, and it would have taken too long. And I’m more focussed on my music right now. If I wanted to devote myself to something, I would have taken my time. It would’ve been difficult and I’d have felt bad for my co-stars, and it would’ve taken a lot of travelling too.

Were they acting offers or singing ones?
I was offered a role in a film – a feature role, very short, like a couple of scenes – and a couple of offers on other soundtracks as well. But Dhoom was hard to beat, so I didn’t take them up.

What did you most enjoy about the Dhoom experience?
The best experience was to meet the three guys – Abhishek, John and Uday – and to be able to shoot the video with them. With each of them, I had an experience, like in the video. With Abhi, there was a bathtub dancing scene which was pretty cool, and with John, the mud dance. Right after that, I had to take a flight to Bangkok, and I was having to take mud out of my ears and nails on the flight, but it was very cool!

You’ve received criticism from some quarters in Thailand about your sensuous and glam image. Did you respond to that?
I don’t respond to anything like that because sometimes, it’s a more personal criticism – about the person, not about their work. And I find that if I go back and talk about it, there’s never going to be an end to it. The best thing for me to do is to do what I do, and my label is fair enough to protect me in that way also.

Does it bother you that people think that way?
If I let it bother me, it would be difficult for me to be in this business, so the best thing to do is to relax and do your thing.

How popular are Indian films and music in Thailand?
I don’t know about films, but I know that there are a lot of influences from Hindi music – the culture, the vibe, the influence of the sound. I’m personally more into Bollywood films than music. It’s probably also because of the language – you guys sing in Hindi, and I don’t understand that. But I’m very interested in the movies. I admire Amitabh Bachchan – he’s excellent.

Do you know much about India in general?
I do, because I’m a Buddhist, but I’m also a Hindu at the same time. I pray to Ganesha and Parvati – so yeah, I know a little bit.

Did you get to look around when you were here?
Yes, I went to the Siddhivinayak temple (in Mumbai), to pray to Lord Ganesha, when I was here.

Was there anything you did not like about your trip to India?
The traffic. That’s the only thing I had a problem with. Everybody’s honking all the time and... But that’s the only thing.

You’ve been a success in the international market as well. What do you think Asian artistes should do to get more attention abroad?
I think the problem with Asian artistes who don’t make it internationally is the language. So it’s important that you do learn English, as it’s the universal language. And learn a little bit about the culture of the place you visit, so people know that you appreciate their culture.

Are you planning a trip to India?
Yeah, I am – I’m going to come sometime soon.