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MUSIC REVIEW OF NAMASTEY LONDON
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau |
Bollywood has always delivered cross culture films in every phase and decade that has reflected the importance of Indian values and tradition. Vipul Shah takes a plunge at this issue with his fresh offering 'Namastey London' featuring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. Model-turned-actor Upen Patel makes second important appearance after his impressive debut in Abbas-Mastan's '36 Chinatown'. The chemistry of Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar has proved prosperous in the past with hits like 'Aankhen' and 'Waqt - The race against time'. 'Namastey London' is believed to complete hat trick as the musical soundtracks by Himesh Reshammiya show great promise. The album brings back the color and grace of Himesh Reshammiya with the added attraction "Mehfil mix" versions voiced by lyricist Javed Akhtar. Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and UK rock band RDB also render one soundtrack each in their typical musical style. 'Namastey London' promises entertainment with seven original soundtracks followed by eleven remix soundtracks in a 2 CD pack. The eighteen original soundtracks can be heard on Eros music cassettes and CD's.
Chakna Chakna: Himesh Reshammiya gets into the soul of club crooner as he punches out stylish Punjabi disco soundtrack "Chakna Chakna" in his loud and pompous nasal twang. The number has sensuous musical touch of UK "bhangra" number but the beats are desired to be catchier to lure listeners. Reshammiya mixes his conventional "Sufi" musical ingredients that gel well with pulsating disco music.
"Chakna Chakna (remix)" is real shaker as mood gets ecstatic with heavy drumming and deafening "dhol" beats in conventional club mix style. It will be a big winner as it provides traditional Punjabi folk rhythms and beats and sounds much better than the original soundtrack. If you have been a great fan of singers like Malkit Singh or Jazzy B, then it will be a listening feast for the ears and rollicking hit for pubs and discos.
Veeraniyan: The depressing moments of separation and its gloomy ambience is highlighted in emotionally enriched soundtrack "Veeraniyan". It has some shades of Reshammiya's highly publicized unreleased track "Tanhaiyyan" from his first acted film 'Aap Ka Surror'. The mild paced "Sarangi" with "lounge" music impact carries the morose emotions of the song till the end.
The sentimental sad moments of la over get major support when Javed Akhtar's poetry takes over in "Veeraniyan (Mehfil Mix)". It can be referred as the "Ghazal" version of the track where the theme of the song gets voiced in beautiful poetic verses followed by classical music work. The soundtrack is rendered in slow classical mode where Reshammiya's voice is ably supported by fine rhythmic combination of Sarangi, tabla and sitar.
"Veeraniyan (remix)" is a hip-shaking club mix number where the combination of disco beat fillers along with high pitched vocals of Himesh Reshammiya makes waves. It may sound strange after "Mehfil Mix" but like all other Reshammiya's albums it has contemporary remix to follow after original soundtrack.
Main Jahan Rahoon: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makes second impressive musical move in Bollywood with "Main Jahan Rahoon" after the success of "Jiya Dhadak" ('Kalyug'). It has traditional Sufi musical base where the emotions of loneliness and separation are smoothly voiced in soft and subtle musical rendition. Krishna sings as background singer and in a classical manner to give it a sentimental touch. This may not be as penetrative as "Jiya Dhadak" but certainly displays excruciating moments of a sentimental lover in an impressive way.
The best way to describe the depressed sentiments is through meaningful poetry and the needful is delivered in even more impressive way in "Main Jahan Rahoon (Mehfil Mix)". Javed Akhtar's voice and poetry signifies the moments in sensitively delivered poetic phrases that work as prelude to the soundtrack. It works best for sensible listeners who treasure meaningful musical work and its positive experimentation works brilliantly in the contemporary film album.
Mood turns groovy as disco beats takes over from meaningful poetry in foot-thumping musical make-over in "Main Jahan Rahoon(remix)". The peppy flavors of Sufi pop and funk is displayed with traditional club mix feel that works wonders for the number. The soundtrack works well in all the three versions and this makes Sufi music popular in contemporary film music.
Yehi Hota Hai Pyar: Himesh Reshammiya's contemporary Sufi pop returns as he sings beautifully in soft and subtle mode along with Sunidhi Chauhan in the soundtrack "Yehi Hota Hai Pyar". The softer vocal mode of Reshammiya worked well in a couple of tracks last year in numbers like "Ahista Ahista" and "Tanha Jiya Na Jaye" and it makes another impressive show in "Yehi Hota Hai Pyar". This marks the first duet soundtrack of the album and has the romantic feel but lacks the fire of his previous passionate tracks. It has the momentous gripping to make things work well as a situational number in the film.
Javed Akhtar's words speak out for feminine grace in poetic phrases working as effective prelude to "Yehi Hota Hai Pyar (mehfil mix)". Once again, the especially composed "mehfil mix" works well than original soundtrack as it is shouldered with poetic verbal grace. It will be a listening delight for "Ghazal" lovers where the cultural and ethnic flavors of classical music are felt through its sensitive musical arrangements. It's time for disco as the emotionally enriched number has melted into the soul of conventional club mix in an energetically composed soundtrack "Yehi Hota Hai Pyar (remix)".
Rafta Rafta: This comes special from the streets of the UK based rock group as RDB (UK based rock band) delivers a knocker from the word go in energetically composed number "Rafta Rafta". The traditional Punjabi groovy punch clubbed with vocally jubilant rendition will make it hot among party animals and it will find its place among new age listeners. It starts off with an Arabic musical touch but later changes into slow moving "bhangra" beats and tunes taking over the show.
"Rafta rafta (remix)" is high on beat-juggling and DJ claps and it makes infectiously rocking stuff on dancing floors. It stands out as the most "rocking" among remixes, and NRI listeners will feel special about it. Play it loud and get into the groovy drive of night club disco and enjoy.
Annan Fannan: The soft and titillating melodic tunes make the strongest impact with Jayesh Gandhi making his finest attempt in melodious "Aanan Fannan". Reshammiya recreates the sensuous tinge of "Soniye" ('Aksar') and "Cheena" ('Tom Dick and Harry') with rip-roaring pulsating beats. Akriti Kakkar sounds impressive and even she makes the number beautiful with her svelte rendition. One wonders why the number was not promoted as it deserves better placing in the album and promos of the film!
"Aanan Fannan (mehfil mix)" is an epitome of fine blend of poetry and melody as the prosaic grace of Javed Akhtar raises its intellect to extreme. The loud pitch of Jayesh has shades from Reshammiya but still he makes strong impact as Akriti's vocals gel well with soft pitched music. Melody lovers will cherish this poetic treat and will possibly make a place among class listeners.
Even the high pitched tempo works great for this soundtrack as the echoing background vocals along with snazzy beats welcome the party feel in "Aanan Fannan (remix)". The racy impact of disco beats makes it trendy and it adds up to the collection of finely pitched remixes. Enjoy it!
Dilruba: Pop diva Alisha Chinai delivers her sensuous attire that clubs appreciably with Zubin Garg's loud pitched rendition in mediocre soundtrack "Dilruba". It proves too weak as compared to earlier ones and sounds more like a situational number with weird lyrics. Alisha and Zubin have been wasted in this average where the music sounds too loud and irritating.
"Dilruba (remix)" has the feel of Arabian music with harshly paced disco beats making it an average remix number. Skip it if you feel that the album has delivered sufficient hip-shaking entertainment from tracks likes "Chakna Chakna", "Rafta Rafta" and a couple of remix numbers.
'Namastey London' brings Himesh Reshammiya back in a top slot with fine collections of original soundtracks clubbed with prosaic "mehfil mix" and foot-tapping "remixes". The album will break the long wait for a deserving hit for Himesh Reshammiya after a series of mediocre albums in recent months. The musical success of the album will positively be a major factor in boosting film prospects.
Edited by Qwest - 17 years ago
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