Preetam at his best. Review on Gangster Songs

Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam are arguably the two most happening music directors of Gen X with each trying to unconsciously be one up on the other. So, if Himesh took the country by storm with his debut album Pritam is back with his most thought provoking composition till date- Gangster. Don’t get put off by the name. For though the movie sounds like an action thriller with little or no space for songs, the truth is just the opposite. The album is packed with songs that make great listening.

The compilation starts on a right note with Tu hi meri shab hai. This is the umpteenth romantic number crooned by KK in recent times yet he manages to give each song a distinct touch. A mix of Western instrumentation and Indian melody Tu hi… has the right amount of versatility. While the original version provides the perfect background for a romantic setting the two remix versions set the dance floor scorching.

Bheegi Bheegi reminds one of the Coffee House adda culture that Kolkata is famous for. One cannot help but feel that Pritam’s Bengali roots have inspired the tunes of this philosophical number about life’s twists and turns, ably sung by Bangladeshi debutant singer James.

The album gets better and better with each song. Lamha Lamha marks the return of Abhijeet to a genre he made famous- romantic love ballads with a dash of the guitar in the background. He is supported perfectly by Sunidhi Chauhan in this beautiful rendition.

Perhaps the most soulful piece of the album is Mujhe Mat Roko by Kavita Seth. This number, steeped in ‘ishq ka gum’ is a tribute to the dard bhare sufi naghme like Aaj Jane ki zid na karo (Abida Parveen) and the thumri style of Parveen Sultana (Hume tumse pyar kitna). Just listen to it and you can feel your eyes pricking with unshed tears.

Although not as powerful as the other numbers in this collection Ya Ali is still better than most of the below average fare dished out these days. It is the quintessential techno qawwali that is so much a part of almost all albums these days. Sung by Zubin it is hummable.

The one assured thing about Emraan Hashmi films is that the music is great. Gangster is no exception. Just go for it. It will please one and all.