S.D. Burman: Pyaasa (1957) / Hemant Kumar: Anupama (1967)

The score for 'Pyaasa' [review] [2] seems to be widely regarded as one of Sachin Dev Burman's finest. And while I admittedly am not his biggest fan, and my knowledge of his work is somewhat limited, I'm not one to disagree. The songs on this EP are quite lovely. Slow-paced, low key and atmospheric; they have a pleasantly soothing effect on me, 'Jane Woh Kaise Log The' in particular.



Despite being made a full decade later (one obviously containing a lot of changes in Bollywood film music) I found 'Anupama' to be a suitable pairing with the above. For one, Hemant Kumar is involved in both, but mostly I find they're not entirely dissimilar in mood. Asha Bhosle's contributions are more upbeat than anything on 'Pyaasa', yet most of this EP sounds as if it could have been made during the so-called Golden Age. 'Dhire Dhire Machal' is my favourite at the moment.

Track listing, 'Pyaasa':
1. Hemant Kumar: Jane Woh Kaise Log The
2. Geeta Dutt: Jane Kya Tumne Kahi
3. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Duniya Agar

Track listing, 'Anupama':
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Dhire Dhire Machal
2. Asha Bhosle: Bhigi Bhigi Faza
3. Hemant Kumar: Ya Dil Ki Suno
4. Asha Bhosle: Kyun Mujhe Itni Khushi

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Hemant Kumar: Sahib, Bibi Aur Gulam (1962/1970)

'Sahib, Bibi Aur Gulam' [review]: A nice one from Hemant Kumar; old school, charming, sweet. And I like Geeta Dutt. I don't have a lot featuring her, but what I do is generally lovely. 'Piya Aiso Jiya Men' (especially) and 'Na Jao Saiyan Chhod Ke Baiyan' are no exceptions.

(Capsule review, designed to facilitate catching up on posting.)

Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Asha Bhosle: Bhanwara Bada Nahan
3. Asha Bhosle: Meri Baat Rahi Mere Man Me
4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi Aayegi
5. Geeta Dutt: Chale Aao, Chale Aao
6. Asha Bhosle: Meri Jaan O Meri Jaan
7. Geeta Dutt: Piya Aiso Jiya Men
8. Geeta Dutt: Na Jao Saiyan Chhod Ke Baiyan

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Hemant Kumar: Nagin (1954/1974)

More vintage excellence and another favourite amongst aficionados, scored (mainly) by Hemant Kumar, famous both as a singer and as a composer. As with 'Detective' (below), 'Nagin' is packed with wonderful, exotic sounding songs, most of them performed by Lata Mangeshkar. 'Sun Ri Sakhi', 'Mera Dil Yeh Pukare Aaja', 'Oonchi Oonchi Duniya Ki Diwaren'... great stuff!

The biggest highlight though is the snake charmer track 'Been Music', featuring a young Kalyanji on Clavioline (the very first use of a synth in a Hindi movie) and with a melody apparently composed not by Kumar but by Ravi (another acclaimed music director I've yet to post anything by - but I will). Trippy, haunting, and gliding seamlessly into the lovely 'Man Dole Mera Tan Dole'; it's a stunning double-bill.

Track listing:
1. Ravi & Kalyanji: Been Music/Lata Mangeshkar: Man Dole Mera Tan Dole
2. Hemant Kumar: Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Sun Rasiya Man Basiya
4. Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Yaad Rakha Pyar Ki Nishani
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Sun Ri Sakhi
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Dil Yeh Pukare Aaja
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Jadugar Saiyan
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Hemant Kumar: Ari Chhod De Patang
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Badli Men Chhup Gaya Chand
10. Hemant Kumar & Chorus: O Zindagi Ke Denewale
11. Lata Mangeshkar: Teri Yaad Men Jalkar Dekh Liya/Oonchi Oonchi Duniya Ki Diwaren

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