MUSIC REVIEW OF APNA ASMAAN - Page 2

Best of Lezz A. VISHNUA. VISHNU

Leslie Lewis is making his presence felt with his catchy remixes.

HE BEGAN his stint in Indian music as the phirangi half of the fusion band, Colonial Cousins. After their first album, featuring the songs, Sa Ni Dha Pa and Krishna, became a runaway success , Leslie Lewis who made most of the music for the band began getting individual popularity. He collaborated with Asha Bhosle for a two-volume remix album of R. D. Burman hits called 'Rahul & I', and the following year, got together with Asha again for a chart-topping album, 'Jaanam Samjha Karo'. Then, Leslie went into hibernation for a few years before releasing his first solo album, 'Haseena'. The response to the album was mediocre, but Leslie made a comeback last year with two extremely popular remixes - Hai Re Hai Tera Ghoongta, with vocals by Kunal Ganjawala (of Meri Pyari Bindu fame), and the slow, mellow mix of Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein. Though an individual album is not on the cards for Leslie, an album of his best hits over the years has just been released. 'Best Of Leslie Lewis' (Times Music; CD: Rs. 195) features most of the popular remix numbers with a couple of original tracks thrown in. The album begins on an energetic note with Hai Re Hai Tera Ghoongta, a track that has had its slice of popularity among the youth last year. Interesting use of the voice coder and the raunchy voice of Soumya 'babuji' Rao makes it instantly danceable, while the next track brings the BPM count drastically down with Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein. A hip-hoppish version of Piya Tu Ab To Aaja and a rap version of O Mere Sona Re, from 'Rahul & I', are featured alongside Raat Shabnami, the chart-topper from 'Jaanam Samjha Karo'. The album ends with a high-tempo remix of Paree, an extremely popular song by Suneetha Rao. The original version was extremely slow, but Leslie successfully pumps some 'josh' through impressive trance accomplishments.

If you have love his remixes for 'Rahul & I', this album is an ideal way of remembering those golden days. Or if you just want to party and listen to some groovy tracks, it serves as an out and out dance album.