 Normally one doesn’t worry much about the remix albums arriving on the stands. Especially when there is a DJ at the helm, one more often than not chooses to ignore the beat-one-beat-two offerings that they normally have. This is the reason why one is apprehensive about what DJ Notorious has to offer in this compilation of remix versions of 10 songs from the past.
'Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re' [Saheb] is not the kind of song with which one can really go wrong with. This is why one can sit through this version by Kalpana Patowari and Anupam Amod as DJ Notorious doesn't play around much with the basic orchestra and arrangements of the song and only adds on a slight spice to it by making it more urban and dance floor friendly. Having said that the comparison factor is obviously there as one neither Kalpana nor Anupam are able to fill in for the original singers.
Aiysha is a newcomer whose voice is heard in 'Yeh Mera Dil', a song that has found at least a dozen odd remix versions for itself ever since Shankar Ehsaan Loy came with their take in DON last year. 'Yeh Mera Dil' scores where 'Yaar Bina...' couldn't as Aiysha comes close to the singing style (if not the voice) of the original and does a good job in creating the retro feel. Yet again DJ Notorious takes it easy while going on his arrangements and retains the basic essence to retain the feel of the original.
Now this is the track that had actually made one go and pick up this remix album. 'Angaar Theme' makes one struggle to imagine that why this beautiful tune hasn’t been heard in any compilation album for so many years ever since ANGAAR was released at theaters around a decade and a half back. An instrumental that has its basic tune being played with the help of a flute, it has become even spicier ever since it's music video featuring Pooja Bedi has hit the small screen. Truly an anchor track for the album.
Vaishali Samant, who recently came with her own non-film album 'V', is heard rendering 'Jab Andhera Hota Hai' [RAJA RANI]. Foot tapping to the core, one makes one realise that the song was so well ahead of its times when it was heard first around three decades back. An impressive remix version which is ever so lively and yet so retro, 'Jab Andhera...' is a good hear, especially due to the way Vaishali goes about singing this version.
After 'Yaar Bina....', Kalpana Patowari returns with 'Aa Dekhen Zara' [ROCKY]. This time around she sounds much better as her voice pretty much suits the western mood of the song. In addition, what also works in the favor of the song is the introduction of Lalit into the proceedings who does well in rendering the song and along with Kalpana keeps the interest of the listener alive. In the meanwhile DJ Notorious continues to get his skills in motion and doesn't let the momentum slip away even once.
One is surprised to see a song like 'Thodasa Thehro' [VICTORIA NO. 203] to make an appearance in this album. Still, one gives it a hear to check out if a different feel by way of remixing makes it any exciting. Nevertheless none of that happens as the song doesn't work at all in the scheme of things and turns out to be a quick-to-ignore variety. Bhairavi Kumble sings the song well but sadly 'Thodasa Thehro' doesn't belong to the kind that would be lapped up by today's generation.
Both Sneha Pant and Javed Ali have been trying their luck in the world of Bollywood playback singing and have also seen reasonable so far. Together they come together for 'Dil Tera Hai' [BOMBAY TO GOA]. A relatively lesser heard song, this one is a 'masala' romantic number from the world of 70s and this is what even the remix version tries to convey.
Saswati, who has
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