The Rough Guide to The Music of India & Pakistan

1. Guru Bandana (Prayer) - Asha Bhosle, Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

2. Agun Pani - Purna Chandra Das Baul

3. Ranam Farsuda Jan - The Sabri Brothers

4. Mohé Apné Rang Main Rang Lé Nijaam - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

5. Kaman Song

6. Gula Sta de Kilie - Zarsanga

7. Thumri in Raga Khamaj - Bismillah Khan

8. Extract from Raga Hameer - Vilayat Khan

9. Extract from Raga Bhairav - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

10. Peace (Alap) - Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma

11. Ninnade - Dr. N. Ramani

The Rough Guide to The Music of India & Pakistan,Various Artists,World Music Network,Dhrupad,India,Indian Classical,Indian Folk,Int'l & World Music,Pakistan,Pop,Qawwali,Raga,World Music

Average customer rating: Not enough variety for my liking A must for beginners !

Rough Guide to Bellydance Cafe Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Belly and the Beat Bellydance Superstars, Vol. 4 Tribal Derivations The Rough Guide to African Blues Rough Guide to Latin Arabia ASIN: B000OONP3Q Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

1. JALAL JOUBI ENSEMBLE - Marmar Zamani (Syria)
2. NAZARETH ORCHESTRA FEATURING LUBNA SALAME - Al-Atlal (Israel)
3. ENSEMBLE HÜSEYIN TÜRKMENLER - Söleyin Yildizlar Sevegilim Nerde (Turkey)
4. MOHAMMED ALI ENSEMBLE - Enta Omri (Egypt)
5. SAMI ALI - Ashshimtini (Egypt)
6. MOKHTAR AL SAID - Tabla Solo (Egypt)
7. SELIM SESLER - Gözyasi (Turkey)
8. GLYKERIA - Min Perimenis Pia (Greece)
9. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Helm (Intro Taksim) (Syria)
10. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Tahtihou Dajha (Syria)
11. SALATIN EL TARAB ORCHESTRA - Awazil Yabou Ziloof (Syria)
12. MAYODI - Habibi Ya Eini (Morocco)
13. UPPER EGYPT ENSEMBLE - Mazamir Holiday (Egypt)
14. SAMI NOSSAIR ORCHESTRA - Mawwal Al Hawa (Egypt)
15. SAMI NOSSAIR ORCHESTRA - Ala Nar (Egypt)
16. GIASEMI (YASMIN) & NIKOS SARAGOUDAS - Tsahpinoula Moy (Greece)
17. MOKHTAR AL SAID & EL FERKA EL MASAYA - Souhair's Tabla (Egypt)
18. MOHAMED ISKANDAR - La Tsalouni (Lebanon)

Amazon.com

This collection could be described as "bellydance with twist" as every track is energetic, catchy and lusty but also chilled-out and mysterious. While the rhythm sections certainly let it all hang out, there's just a bit held back, whether in the vocals, strings or woodwinds, not unlike the way a female raks sharki (the traditional name for the genre) dancer will flaunt undulating hips and six-pack abs while veiling her face or upper body. Historically, while no family celebration or evening in a café was complete without them, women who plied this trade faced varying degrees of social ostracism. This was partly because their profession gave them a certain degree of independence, which threatened the status quo of the male-dominated cultures they hailed from. But in modern Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Lebanon and other countries, these ladies are for the most part recognized as the rigorously trained, exquisitely disciplined artists they have always been. Their relationship with the musicians they work with is one of equals, an uncommonly empathetic, shared act of creation not unlike that of flamenco dancers and their bands. Perhaps this is why, while listening to the tunes, sinuous, gyrating figures continuously appear at the corner of the mind's eye, fashioning wave-like susurrations around complex syncopations, goading their collaborators to ever more feverish heights. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Late night get-togethers at an outdoor café, hookah pipes, chatter and the strong smell of coffee, are all part of the distinct flavour of Middle Eastern street life. As is the shimmying, hip-shaking music phenomenon best-known as `bellydance'. From Selim Sesler and the Salatin El Tarab Orchestra to Mokhtar Al Said and Sami Ali, The Rough Guide to Bellydance Café provides a comprehensive insight into the seductive sounds of the Orient.

Artists include- Jalal Joubi Ensemble, Nazareth Orchestra Feat. Lubna Salame, Ensemble Hüseyin Türkmenler, Mohammed Ali Ensemble, Sami Ali, Mokhtar Al Said, Selim Sesler, Glykeria, Salatin El Tarab Orchestra, Mayodi, Upper Egypt Ensemble, Sami Nossair Orchestra, Giasemi (Yasmin) & Nikos Saragoudas, Mohamed Iskander

Customer Reviews:

Not enough variety for my liking.......2007-06-27

I did not particularly enjoy this CD. I was looking for something with more variety and found there to be not enough of the gentler, more mysterious & earthy music that I personally enjoy listening to and dancing to.

A must for beginners !.......2007-05-16

It's really difficult to find a good compilation and that one seems to be a good one! I don't buy this CD because I still have most of the tracks. But for begginers in bellydance and for people who wish to discover the different styles of the music from Middle East, it's a good choice.

Average customer rating: Bollywood at Its Beautiful and Bombastic Best

Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to World Party Rough Guide to Latin Arabia Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam Rough Guide to the Blues ASIN: B000N3STMA Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

1. Chandni O Meri Chandi - Jolly Mukherjee
2. Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Kishore Kumar
3. Mehbooba Mehbooba - Rahul Dev Burman
4. In Aankhon Ki Masti - Ashoa Bhosle
5. Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera - Asha Bhosle
6. Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin - Lata Mangeshkar
7. Chahe Mujhe Koi Junglee Kahen - Mohammed Rafi
8. Awaara Hoon - Mukesh
9. Theme Instrumental - Nagin
10. Chabi Kho Jaye - Lata Mangeshkar
11. Yeh Sham Mastani - Kishore Kumar
12. Mere Desh Ki Dharti - Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus
13. Kehta Hai Joker - Mukesh
14. Chalte Chalte - Lata Mangeshkar
15. Mere Sapno Ki Rani - Kishore Kumar

Album Description

Love triangles, glitz, melodrama, music and tragi-comedy are all part of the hugely successful musical-movie genre known as Bollywood. The Rough Guide To Bollywood Gold showcases the leading singers and revisits some of the most glamorous movies from this vast and ever expanding scene.

Artists include: Jolly Mukherjee & Sridevi, Kishore Kumar, Rahul Dev Burman, Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor and Shailendra Singh

Customer Reviews:

Bollywood at Its Beautiful and Bombastic Best.......2007-04-27

If you're looking for a fix of Indian pop culture, this CD will definitely do the trick! "Bollywood Gold" is full of wonderfully vibrant music, all of it overflowing with powerful emotion spiced up with a healthy dash of sentimentality and melodrama. The instrumentation is good, of course, but in this genre vocals are the main thing, and so this CD features some of the classic voices of Indian film--beautiful and charismatic voices either feminine or masculine (and highly distinct in that regard) that tell a story in their own right, that are able to evoke a wide range of feelings in the listener regardless of whether the latter understands the lyrics or not. If you've seen these movies, you'll relive them here for sure. If you haven't, like me, then the enchantment of this music might trick you into thinking you have--or else inspire you to go looking for them afterwards.

As with most "Rough Guide" CDs, this one excels in giving the listener a fine range of tracks both listenable and representative, all lovingly handpicked by an expert aficionado of that specific musical form. "Bollywood Gold" comes to us courtesy of DJ Ritu, who in the liner notes does a wonderful job of introducing the different singers (Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Jolly Mukherjee, and Mahendra Kapoor) as well as giving a crash course in the social history of playback singing in Indian film, after which each track (in order) is explained in good, relevant detail (including but not limited to what movie the song comes from). All of this comes after a movingly personal reflection on what this wonderful music meant to Indian immigrant families in England, of how important it was in their lives--making this quite a bit more meaningful than the average "greatest hits" album. And, as this listener found out, some of that enthusiasm is definitely contagious.

Average customer rating: Cross-Cultural Journey to the Heart of Sufism Diverse Sufi Music from Around the Globe (3.5 of 5) exploring the varieties of Sufi music

Rough Guide to Sufi Music Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music Morocco | Africa | International | Styles | Music Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music Pakistan | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Turkey | Middle East | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of Turkey The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia Sufi Rough Guide to the Music of the Himalayas Rough Guide to the Music of Iran ASIN: B00005AVNK Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Ferahfeza Peprev - Mevlana Kultur Ve Sanat Vakfy Sanatcylary
2. Az Hoosne Malihe Khud (Pakistan) - Sabri Brothers
3. Alam (Egypt) - Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tuni
4. Oalbi Yuhaddithuni (Egypt) - Sheikh Yasin Al-Tuhami
5. Saba Atu Rijal (Morocco) - Hassan Hakmoun
6. Tere Ishq Nachaaya (Pakistan) - Abida Parween
7. Shah Khoshini (Iran) - Ostad Elahi
8. Dembe (Senegal) - Boubacar Diagne
9. Al Asfur (Egypt) - Sheikh Ahmad Barrayn
10. Ghayri Ala S-Sulwan Qadir - Sama I Rast (Syria) - Hamza Shakkur
11. Rahway Wasdi Jhok Faridan Di (Pakistan) - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Customer Reviews:

Cross-Cultural Journey to the Heart of Sufism.......2006-09-29

In recent years, Sufism (the mystical practices of Islam) has become a popular subject in the West. No small part of this is due to the passionate and powerful singing of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the undisputed master of Pakistani Qawwali music. Naturally, he is included on this CD, but Sufism exerts a pull across the Muslim world, and this CD shows other forms of Sufi music as well. Hassan Hakmoun shows the African-tinged music of Morocco's Gnawa brotherhood, Orchestra al-Kindi (led by Hamza Shakkur) and Sheikh Yasin al-Tuhami demonstrate classical Arabic music traditions, Ostad Elahi performs the music of Iran's Kurdish dervishes, and Boubacar Diagne shows the ceremonial music of the Quadiriya brotherhood of West Africa. Fans of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are in for a treat, since there are also incredibly moving performances of Qawwali by the Sabri Brothers and Abdia Parween, as well as music from Turkey's Mevlana mystics (the famous 'whirling dervishes'). Drawing upon music from Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Senegal and Syria, this CD is an incredible journey across the Muslim world, showing many different forms of devotion to God through music. Anyone interested in the musical heart of the Islamic faith should check this CD out, as it's cheap, easy to find, and very enlightening.

Diverse Sufi Music from Around the Globe (3.5 of 5).......2004-03-19

This is the first ever Rough Guide to "-----" Music CD that disappointed me. Sadly, I feel lukewarm about half the tracks. I had high expectations and hoped for more zikr and qawwali styles. The words 'captivating' and 'trance-inducing' do not describe the music because nearly half the tracks sound so uninspired. Tracks # 4 and #5 start out slowly and leave me impatient. Perhaps in another culture and era, the music needed to evolve gradually into a fast rhythm and pace. It is likely this took several hours. The one main flaw with this CD is it covers too many different cultures and styles or maybe the problem is the sequence of music, i.e. the order in which they are played. Only 6 out of 11 tracks made a positive impression. Luckily, there are moments when the tiresome tracks redeem themselves with nice instrumentation. The arrival of the sweet sound of the ney or sensitive strumming of a lute is very welcome ...

The first track is the Turkish group, Mevlana Kultur Ve Sanat Vakfy Sanatcylary who use the lute and other string instruments to create a a wave-like undulating melody that feels natural ... like rocking gently on a ship at sea. They manage to weave ancient melodies with a modern expression and bring the message of the 13th C. Sufi philospher into modern times, telling us tolerance is sovereign (the liner notes tell us) and everything has a spirit therefore we should strive not to injure or harm anything. The music matches these words. The sound of the words sung is consistent with the melody and percussion by this group. The Sabri Brothers of East Punjab, India now a part of Pakistan, also produce a wonderful calm introduction that builds up to a very enjoyable intensity, chanting the sacred sound of "ah" ... occasionally there is a lead singer and at times a response is given by a chorus. The tabla creates an extremely infectious beat with natural progression of sound and authenticity. The two artists with the most impact on this CD, are Abida Parween, a female modified qawwali vocalist, who is dynamite and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who helped this genre travel around the world, he needs no introduction. In her rendition of "Tere Ishq Nachaaya", Ms Parween reaches a feverish pitch, with a very satisfying climb on a wonderful musical journey. I like the accordion accompaniment. There is no loss of authenticity with this instrument. While almost anything Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sings is enhanced and magnified into a great listening experience, there are far better songs than the one on this CD. Truly, this could have been had been a powerful and exciting production, unfortunately it disappoints. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

exploring the varieties of Sufi music.......2003-01-29

There are many different styles in this compilation, making it an educational, and interesting CD, if not entirely satisfying .
Track # 1 is a lovely, slow instrumental piece by a 19th century Turkish composer. It has a tranquil feel to it, and since I seem to have an affinity for Turkish music, this is one of my choice selections.
Tracks 2, 6, and 11 are from Pakistan, and though music from this area tends to be a little frantic for my taste, these are excellent examples, with the fabulous Sabri Brothers, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who is perhaps the most world renown musician on this CD.

Tracks 3, 4 and 9 hail from Egypt, and # 9 is recited and sung by Sheikh Ahmed Barrayn, who is described as having a "broken and husky voice", and it carries a power that makes this one of the better pieces for me.
Track # 5 from Morocco, is far and away my favorite piece on this disc, with a dazzling nay (a type of flute) solo that contrasts with the vocal. It is melodic and wonderful.

# 7 from Iran, is an innovative, complex composition on the tanbur (a type of lute). This one is not "lite listening" and may take a few hearings to fully appreciate. # 8 from Senegal is for diverse drums, and # 10 is from Syria, and has some impressive musicianship with "dueling" zither and oud.
The booklet insert has mini bios of the performers, and tells you what CDs these tracks were culled from. The overall sound is good, and total time 72'20.

Average customer rating: A Himalayan Trek through Multifarious Musical Moods A great rough guide Unique Journey to a Forgotten World

Rough Guide to the Music of the Himalayas Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD China | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music Tibet | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music Bhutan | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music China | Far East | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia Rough Guide to the Music of China Rough Guide to the Music of India The Rough Guide to the Music of Indonesia The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan ASIN: B0000668LN Release Date: 2002-07-01

Tracks:

1. Ngani Troma Part 1 (Tibet) - Steve Tibbetts
2. Pahadi (India) - Hariprasad Chaurasia
3. Gurans Ko Phool Siuri (Nepal) - Krishna Das & The Modern Light Music Brass Band
4. Gaden Lhagya (Tibet) - Nuns From Jangchub Cheling Nunnery
5. Kyamdro Semkye (Tibet) - Choying Drolma
6. Lekdri Ma (Tibet) - Monks From Drete Dhargon At Drepung Monastery
7. Fire Channels. Me (Tibet) - Hooked Light Rays
8. Dar Tson Nanga (Tibet) - Petso
9. Music For Archery (Ladakh) - Ladakhi Musicians
10. Ling Sho La (Bhutan) - Jigme Drukpa
11. Mew Dyahlhaygu (Nepal) - Nepali Musicians
12. Dong Lim (Tibet) - Do-Pe
13. Himalayas (China) - Joji Hirota

Customer Reviews:

A Himalayan Trek through Multifarious Musical Moods.......2007-01-27

The good ol' Rough Guide series, reliable as ever, and they've proven it again with this fine CD. The music on this album is incredible and wide-ranging: from subtle and refined Buddhist chants to exuberant and percussive festival tunes, from folkish flute airs in isolated valleys to streamlined studio collaborations with Western musicians, with hints of many different musical cultures converging and swirling in this mountainous region. Don't expect uniformity from this CD. Just sit back and allow yourself to be taken on a far-flung musical tour of the Himalayan Mountains' wonderful variety of sounds and moods.

Ken Hunt's liner notes are nicely written and do a wonderful job of contextualizing each track in a clear, succinct fashion. His style manages to get in just the right amount of detail for the listener's music appreciation without getting bogged down and ponderous; the tone shows the same sense of balance, enthusiastic but not gushy, reverent but with little flashes of wit. And, unlike some of the newer Rough Guide CDs coming out, the descriptions are clearly subdivided and arranged in the same order as the tracks on the CD, so one can follow along with ease (except that tracks 1 and 5 are by the same artists, which threw me for just a second). And that's the point after all, to allow the listener to better enjoy and appreciate the excellent music on this fine CD.

A great rough guide.......2004-02-20

I am a big fan of the Rough Guide series and this brand of music CDs has been invaluable in introducing me to various folk music traditions from around the world.

The Rough Guide to the Music of the Himalayas is no exception. The music spans the length and breadth of the Himalayan mountain range.

Buy this CD if you are looking for a starting place to explore the music of this region. I cannot think of a better place to start!

Unique Journey to a Forgotten World.......2002-10-15

This CD blew my breath away. The music on hear comes from many different people, languages, religions and cultures, all united by the vast Himalayan mountains. Traitional and contemporary music is featured on this CD, ranging from monastic traditions in Tibet to Ladakhi tribesmen to classical Indian music and more contemporary Chinese numbers. It really amazes me that so many different musical traditions could exist high in the mountains. If you are a fan of pan-Asian music, in particular Nepalese, Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, Ladakhi and so forth, then you will certainly appreciate this music. There is a definate slant towards more traditional forms of music, especially emphasizing the religious aspects of the music (for instance, Indian classical, tribal Ladakhi and Tibetan Buddhist monks). It may not be remixed or westernized, but it is still amazing. It reaches out and touches the spirit.

Average customer rating: Powerful! Bhangra - New yet old So much fun! Rough Guide to Bhangra Half 'n Half

The Rough Guide to Bhangra Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bhangra Beatz Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance The Best of Bollywood The Rough Guide to Bollywood Bhangra Fever ASIN: B00004VXEL Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Bhabiye Ni Bhabiye - Alaap
2. Mera Laung Gawacha - Rama & Bally Sagoo
3. Chargiye - Bombay Talkie
4. Pyar Ka Hai Bairi - Sangeeta
5. Boliyan - Malkit Singh
6. Gidda Pao Haan Deo - Mohinder Kaur Bhamra
7. Valeti Boliyan - A.S. Kang
8. Pendha Gidda - Satwinder Bitti & Bally Sagoo
9. Piya Re Piya Re - Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
10. Janj Mahi Ley Aya - Baldip Jabble
11. Par Linghade - Safri Boys
12. Saqian Da Dhol - Saqi
13. Mundian To Bach Ke - Labh Janjua & Panjabi MC

Amazon.com

This Rough Guide CD details the danceable and diverse music of bhangra. It was born in India's Punjab region as a rural dance, powered by piercing dhol drums, and emerged as disco/house/world music created by Indian immigrants in the United Kingdom in the '70s. It ranges from "Bhabiye N Bhabiye," written by Channi, the haunting lead singer of the bhangra supergroup Alaap, to the Safri Boys' storytelling lyrics on their teen love story "Par Linghade." Female singers like the pioneering Mohinder Kaur Bhamra with the club favorite "Gidda Pao Haan Deo" and the seductive Sangeeta with her hit "Pyar Ka Hai Bairi" highlight bhangra's modernity, while producers and DJs like Bally Sagoo on "Mera Laung Gawacha" marry subcontinental syncopations to Jamaican reggae. Labh Janjua & Panjabi MC drop a sample by hip-hop's clown prince, Busta Rhymes, on "Mundian to Bach Ke" and build a curry-flavored bridge to African American hip-hop. As salsa sprung from its Cuban son origins and linked Latin America, bhangra rhythmically reaches out to the Indian diaspora, from Hollywood to Bollywood. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Album Description

Capturing the imagination of Asian Britain, bhangra has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years. Firmly rooted in Pujabi folk, bhangra adds western influences such as electric guitars, synthesisers and drums to create a unique sound.

Artists include: Malkit Singh, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bally Sagoo, Satwinder Bitti, Baldip Jabble, Sangeeta, Mohinder Kaur Bhamra and Bombay Talkie

Customer Reviews:

Powerful!.......2006-02-24

The dohl and other percussive instruments, along with unique vocals and catchy rhythms can push this Punjab-based music onto any dance floor and blow listeners minds and get their feet moving, their arms waving. Although I have my favorites, including Sangeeta's Hindi performance on Track 4, I love to leave the entire album going non-stop. Though its power can move your body, its musicality is soothing. After a busy workday, I love to pop it in the player on the way home to unwind. It can definitely take you out of the traffic and into another world.

Bhangra - New yet old.......2004-01-31

Bhangra is exotic and new to some, but to those of us who grew up listening to the real thing, this album is still a must have.

I have owned this album for over 6 months now and it continues to delight. There is a wide variety of bhangra here and the remixing respects the original spirit of the music. From Satwinder Bitti's soulful voice and Sagoo's genius in 'Pendha Gidda' to Safri Boys' light hearted 'Par Linghade', the album presents a wonderful range. Overall DJ Ritu has compiled an excellent selection here.

I was surprised to find a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan number on the album. Strictly speaking, he doesn't do Bhangra but I don't mind getting a Nusrat song as a bonus.

So much fun!.......2002-07-23

This was an impulse buy that turned out to be one of the greatest CDs I've ever owned, and a wonderful introduction to bhangra. There's not a bad track on it. I'm now buying it for friends and family. Exotic, catchy, uplifiting and fun!

Rough Guide to Bhangra.......2002-05-31

This is such a wonderful collection!! Truly the best possible samples from this wildly energetic and creative musical genre. A true "Guide" to the best this music has to offer. Highly Recommended.

Half 'n Half.......2001-12-10

There's some really good stuff here, including Saldip Jabble's gorgeous "Janj Mahi Ley Aya." I could have done without some of the more western influenced, more baltently disco tunes, particlularly Bombay Talkie's "Chargiye," but this is still a fine overview of Bhangra.

Average customer rating: Get up and Dance!!! fun and dynamic sampling of Bollywood Top 40 Eye-opener A quick sampler of what Bollywood songs are all about

The Rough Guide to Bollywood Kishore Kumar , and Lata Mangeshkar & Kumar Sanu Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music South Asia | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music India & Pakistan | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Bollywood Beginner's Guide to Bollywood The Rough Guide to Bhangra The Very Best Bollywood Songs, Vol. 2 Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeshkar ASIN: B00005OW5M Release Date: 2002-02-04

Tracks:

1. Dum Maro Dum - Asha Bhonsle
2. Roop Tera Mastana - Kishore Kumar
3. Piya Tu Ab To Aaja - Asha Bhonsle
4. Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata - Lata Mangeshkar
5. Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne - Mohammed Rafi
6. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai - Kishore Kumar
7. Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin - Kishore Kumar
8. Aap Jaise Koi - Nazia Hassan
9. Jaadu Teri Nazar - Udit Narayan
10. Tujhe Dekha To - Lata Mangeshkar
11. Kehna Hi Kya - Chitra
12. Didi Tera Devar Deewana - Lata Mangeshkar
13. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - Udit Narayan
14. Ek Pal Ka Jeena - Lucky Ali
15. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani - Udit Narayan

Amazon.com

With Andrew Lloyd Webber getting in on the act and Bollywood films making it into Leicester Square, India's film music has finally moved to center stage. But as DJ Ritu points out in her liner notes for The Rough Guide to Bollywood, it's been a long haul. "My English India is no longer a secret," she confides with relief. The tracks she and her colleague Bhagwant Sagoo have compiled offer a comprehensive survey of Bollywood's music from the 1960s through today. What's striking is how frequently the same few voices crop up behind the multitudinous faces seen onscreen. The voice of Kishore Kumar--India's answer to Al Bowlly--recalls a bygone musical age of graceful elegance. Asha Bhosle shows how a voice can change, chameleon-like, to suit the needs of the moment. On one track she radiates raunchy sleaze, in another dreamy seduction, yet the shaping of the phrases remains recognizably her own. Meanwhile, her sister Lata Mangeshkar can be heard in duets with a variety of male singers. On some of these tracks the boxy acoustics betray the venerable age of the recordings, while on others you can feel the atmosphere of the club all around you. That's where these songs have been tried and tested, and that's where they will now be most appreciated. For a different take on these same singers, check out Manteca's I Love Bollywood. Sugar-coated escapism rules! --Michael Church

Album Description

As the Indian film phenomenon sweeps mainstream Britain the Rough Guide To Bollywood is the essential introduction to the colourful, vibrant and dramatic soundtracks of the multi-million dollar industry that is bigger and more productive than Hollywood. Compiled by DJ Ritu, broadcaster and club DJ for London club nights Kuch Kuch and Club Kali and assisted by BBC Asian Network's Bhagwant Sagoo - this is a collection of the biggest and best Bollywood has to offer.

Customer Reviews:

Get up and Dance!!!.......2007-03-27

From the moment I put this in my cd player, I fell in love with this wonderfully diverse group of Bollywood songs. This cd just makes you want to get up and dance! I would recommend this to anyone looking for an good intro to Bollywood style music.

fun and dynamic sampling of Bollywood.......2006-02-22

The Rough Guide series is a great way for someone who appreciates great musicianship and danceable grooves from around the world to sample new genres.

This is one of the better ones. From the progressive rocker `Piya Tu Ab To Aaja' to the beautiful and spiritual `Kabhi Kabhi', to the instantly catchy `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and drivingly rhythmic `Tujhe Dekha To', you may well find yourself singing Hindi even if you don't comprehend a word. The common elements are beautifully controlled vocalists and skillfully complex arrangements that presumably tell stories related to Bollywood movies. You don't have to be an Indian music snob to love this album.

Top 40.......2004-12-16

Each song sounds like (U.S) top 40, every decade represented. The only difference is the language. I was bored.

Eye-opener.......2004-05-21

Although I had heard plenty of Hindi and Punjabi songs previously (indeed, Indian music is a huge influence on my own music), this was my entry point to dive in and study them. Incredible. This compilations covers the greats (Asha, Lata, Rafi), as well as the sixties through to the nineties. And the songs chosen are all-time classics which your Indian friends will all know and love, even if you've never heard them before.

A quick sampler of what Bollywood songs are all about.......2003-12-10

OK, so I don't understand a word of Hindustani, but those pop-like rhythms, strings, and exotic high-pitched voices of those women really got me ever since I saw Gumnaam, whose music video Thora Birch was jamming to in Ghost World, in its entirety. This sampler of songs from Bollywood, the Hindu film industry whose output puts Hollywood's to shame, serves as Bollywood Songs 101 for newbies. Seeing those exotic women on the inner sleeve made me wonder, just what kind of movies are they making down there? And just imagine how many actors those singers did the singing voices for. Highlights to follow:

Well, per Cornershop, we don't have a brimful of Asha here, but how about three doses? After hearing a few chants of "Hare Krishna Hari Ram", we hear "Dum Maro Dum" which features a funky 1970's style electric guitar, and then Asha herself. She and her husband R.D. Burman do "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" featuring some sax, ominous low octave piano notes before strings and organ sounds take over. This is a rollercoaster of a song, frantic swirling strings one moment, melodic jazz sax and vibes next, organ solo another... weird, Bhonsle's girlish but sweet voice is a highlight. Burman though, has some English lyrics, calling out "Juanita, oh my darling!"

Finally, Asha does a duet with Mohammed Rafi, who did the song on Ghost World Thora Birch was jamming to. "Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne" has been covered thousands of times in India, and is considered a classic there. This mid-paced strings and horns song

Fret not, there's also three doses of Asha's sister, the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, who has the record for doing the most songs for movies. She does a sweet romantic sounding ballad with Mukesh in "Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata." "Tujhe Dekha To" is a duet with Kumar Sanu featuring the usual strings and some exotic string instruments. "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" is a near 8-minute epic where Lata and S.P. Balasubhramaniam, do vocal duties on a catchy rhythmic song with the usual frantic strings, horns, and exotic string instruments, featuring some nice female backup singers. The best of her three songs here.

Another artist who gets three songs here is male singer Kishore Kumar, who does the mid-paced dance number "Roop Tera Mastena," "Pyar Diwana Hota Hai", both highlighted by strings. He does the first ever male duo vocal in Bollywood history with Manna Dey in "Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin," a song for a curry western, as opposed to spaghetti western, and the opening swirling strings, clucking like a chicken, and skiffle beat, makes me wonder what kind of oaters the Hindi make?

Chitra does the light pop ballad "Kehna Hi Kya" and her voice is soft and melodic compared to songs by Bhonsle or Mangeshkar.

"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" has all the hallmarks of a Bollywood hit, a sweet romantic score, choir, and a nice duet between a man and woman, who here are Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. This is the title song to the biggest Indian movie hit of 1998. However, my eyes widened when I read that other songs from the movie were better than this one. Well, if this is a primo song...

Nazia Hassan does "Aap Jaise Koi", which is kind of like a lightweight pop version of Blondie's "The Tide Is High" mixed with the strains of the Latin instrumental "Brazil." I'm not sure if I agree with the liner notes as this being an equivalent of "Dancing Queen", but it's still good.

All the songs here feature much of the same instrumentation, but the rhythms and music change enough that it's possible to tell one from the other instead of this CD being a bunch of curry slapped down on a plate. A nice dip of the toe into the Bollywood film song genre, which makes me want to check out Lata Mangeshkar or her sister so I can really get a brimful of Asha.

Average customer rating: This CD demands your attention The rough guide to bollywood legends: Asha Bhosle

The Rough Guide to Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeshkar You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood Best of Asha Bhosle: The Golden Voice of Bollywood The Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Mohd. Rafi The Rough Guide to Bollywood ASIN: B0000C664K Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

1. Ina Mina Dika
2. Jawani Jan-E-Man
3. Rishte Bante Hain
4. Dil Cheez Kya Hai
5. Faaske Hain Bahut
6. Mera Kuchh Saaman
7. Kali Ghata Chhaye
8. Dukhbhare Din
9. Mera Naam Hai Shabnam
10. Jaane Kya Haal Ho Kai
11. Sapna Mera Toot Gaya
12. Karle Pyar Karle
13. Teri Meri Yaari Badi Purani
14. Neeyat-E-Shauq
15. Rang De
16. Main Soya Aankhiyan Meeche

Customer Reviews:

This CD demands your attention.......2004-06-20

The rough guide to Bollywood Legends

Before I thank World Music Network, I owe my respect to Jowi Taylor who conducts "Global Village", one-hour show on music from all over the globe. Global Village is a production of Radio Canada International. You can hear the program via Internet or if you have a short wave radio (every Sat, 7 PM to 8 PM, 13785 kHz).
Month of May was celebrated as the Asian Heritage month. In one program, Jowi honored, Asha Bhosle, a female singer from India with narratives. One of her songs was also played. There was a quiz about Asha. If anyone could answer the quiz could win three CDs offered by Jowi.
I did not have the answer for the quiz. I decided to buy them. That is when I had the chance to know World Music Network and their beautiful compilation of songs from Bollywood. I bought these CDs from Amazon.com. These CDs are produced in Great Britain. Each CD comes with a booklet nicely tucked inside the front cover of the jewel case for the CD.
This booklet is a piece of history of Bollywood's movie making and the role of fabulous play back singers. I do not recall history to be written so good, so methodic, on a movie making industry. All the songs have narrations to detail the situation, the mood.
Back cover of the jewel case has nostalgic posture photo, going back even half a century. I find another music lover and scholar, Ken Hurt, in addition to Jowi Taylor. A team of other experts has captured the vivid details about the human face behind the songs.
One not only gets the songs in a CD, but a good flavor contemporary Bollywood. This is not a typical CD, mass-produced, commercially. Price is right. You will love them, if you have any degree of passion about Indian filmy songs.

The rough guide to bollywood legends: Asha Bhosle.......2004-06-20

The rough guide to Bollywood Legends

Before I thank World Music Network, I owe my respect to Jowi Taylor who conducts "Global Village", one-hour show on music from all over the globe. Global Village is a production of Radio Canada International. You can hear the program via Internet or if you have a short wave radio (every Sat, 7 PM to 8 PM, 13785 kHz).
Month of May was celebrated as the Asian Heritage month. In one program, Jowi honored, Asha Bhosle, a female singer from India with narratives. One of her songs was also played. There was a quiz about Asha. If anyone could answer the quiz could win three CDs offered by Jowi.
I did not have the answer for the quiz. I decided to buy them. That is when I had the chance to know World Music Network and their beautiful compilation of songs from Bollywood. I bought these CDs from Amazon.com. These CDs are produced in Great Britain. Each CD comes with a booklet nicely tucked inside the front cover of the jewel case for the CD.
This booklet is a piece of history of Bollywood's movie making and the role of fabulous play back singers. I do not recall history to be written so good, so methodic, on a movie making industry. All the songs have narrations to detail the situation, the mood.
Back cover of the jewel case has nostalgic posture photo, going back even half a century. I find another music lover and scholar, Ken Hurt, in addition to Jowi Taylor. A team of other experts has captured the vivid details about the human face behind the songs.
One not only gets the songs in a CD, but a good flavor contemporary Bollywood. This is not a typical CD, mass-produced, commercially. Price is right. You will love them, if you have any degree of passion about Indian filmy songs.

Average customer rating: Not much on virtuosity Nice sampler of modern Asian techno

The Rough Guide to the Asian Underground Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music Pakistan | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Compilations | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Bhangra Rough Guide to the Music of the Himalayas The Rough Guide to the Music of Indonesia Rough Guide to Arabesque The Rough Guide to Global Dance: World Beat Carnival - All Areas ASIN: B00008IUX5 Release Date: 2003-03-03

Tracks:

1. Streets of Calcutta - Ananda Shankar
2. Elephant Ride - The State of Bengal
3. Killah Connection - Black Star Liner
4. Fulfilment in Dub [Edit] - Joi
5. Ja Sha Taan
6. Yab Yum [Edit][Mix] - Uzma
7. Pyar
8. Sundance - ShivaNova
9. Debris - Asian Dub Foundation
10. Is It Legal? - T.J. Rehmi
11. Jihad
12. Nataraj Express - James Asher
13. Out of Place
14. Mixed Vision [Edit] - Mo Magic
15. Path of the Blazing Sarong - Bill ''Ravi'' Harris & The Prophets,

Customer Reviews:

Not much on virtuosity.......2003-08-22

As the reviewer below has stated, this is dance mix stuff. If you are as intrigued as I am about the adaptability of Indian musical ideas to western pop, this is worth listening to. But nothing here is going to startle or move you in any way. It is mainly atmospheric. The more I listen to this the less India I detect in my mind's ear. Mainly I visualize colored lights and frenetic dancers gyrating across a sweaty floor. Be careful not to slip. This is strictly music for shaking your bootie. Enlightenment should be sought elsewhere.

Nice sampler of modern Asian techno.......2003-04-09

Generally speaking, I'm not the world's biggest electronica-dance fan, but as the genre goes, I find myself frequently drawn to Asian-oriented releases, since they often seem to have more going on, rhythmically and melodically, than your typical club mix disc. I guess it's because they have to introduce some distinctively "Asian" element, such as a sitar or koto, or readily identifiable Chinese or Hindustani melody...*something* to set the music apart. Or, maybe, it's just that some of Asian mixmasters have better taste or a wider palatte than their Europhilic contemporaries. At any rate, this collection has plenty of nice, mellow, listenable tracks on it, and makes a worthy contribution to the growing catalogue of likeminded records that are available to inquisitive music fans. Worth checking out!

Average customer rating: Beware - most of these are truncated versions Rough guide to Bollywood Legends: Mohd Rafi

The Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Mohd. Rafi Mohd. Rafi Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeshkar The Rough Guide to Asha Bhosle Rough Guide to Bollywood Gold Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance The Legend: India's Best-Loved Singer ASIN: B0001F6WTM Release Date: 2004-04-26

Tracks:

1. Chand Mera Dil
2. Chal Ud Jare Panchhi
3. Taarif Karun Kya Uski
4. Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar
5. Yeh Ladka Hai Allah
6. Hum Kisise Kum Naheen
7. Rut Hai Milan
8. Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho
9. Pardesiyon Se Na Ankhiyan Milana
10. Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja
11. Woh Hain Zara Khafa Khafa
12. Nain Lad Jai Hai
13. Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai
14. Aaj Mausam Bada Be-Iman Hai
15. Wadiyan Mera Daman
16. Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai

Amazon.com

Mohammad Rafi(whose name is typically abbreviated to Mohd. Rafi) recorded thousands of songs before he died in 1980. He is still remembered as one of the great playback singers of the Bollywood movie scene, which means he provided the emotionally charged singing voice for lip-syncing movie stars. Rafi got his start in the late 1940s, becoming well known for his voiceover work by 1952, and his rise coincided with the golden age of Hindi film. Recorded between 1957 and 1977, the 16 tracks here easily convey the passion of the singer even without the film accompaniment. A variety of modern and traditional Indian music styles is touched on here, and his specialties of love ballads and duets with women singers, most notably Lata Mangeshkar, are particularly well represented. For the kitsch factor, check out the groovy brown-sploitation of "Chand Mera Dil" and "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho": both reference American soul and boogaloo, while the latter is also festooned with sounds of a thunderstorm and ocean waves. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

Over the years, Bollywood's dream-weavers have adopted many faces and many voices. Since the late 1940s, people have known, or suspected, that the face in close-up on the screen is probably lip-synching to a `playback singer', and in the annals of Bollywood, Mohd. Rafi's star shines bright. Decades after his death in July 1980 (at the age of 56), he remains one of the four most influential playback singers ever, alongside Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. His voice brought fantasy to life, and he continues to inspire succeeding generations. This album pays tribute to his overwhelming influence in the subcontinent and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

Beware - most of these are truncated versions.......2004-07-20

These Rough Guides to Bollywood Legends looked like really good sets with their quality packaging and extensive liner notes. Unfortunately, only 3 or 4 of the sixteen songs are the complete versions. The rest have been truncated and fade out unnaturally, generally just past the middle of the song. Most of the songs run about five to seven minutes in the original. On these Rough Guides, some suddenly fade out after barely three minutes.
I'd guess this must have been in the interest of putting sixteen Hindi film songs on a single cd which would be impossible otherwise. But nowhere on the packaging is it stated that these are not the complete versions. Pretty misleading on Rough Guides' part.
If you're looking for samplers to hear what these legends sound like, maybe they're good enough. But if you're a serious fan, you'll be very disappointed when the fade out comes just as the song is hitting stride. Go with the 'Golden Voices of the Silver Screen' comps instead, or just buy the originals.

Rough guide to Bollywood Legends: Mohd Rafi.......2004-06-20

The rough guide to Bollywood Legends

Before I thank World Music Network, I owe my respect to Jowi Taylor who conducts "Global Village", one-hour show on music from all over the globe. Global Village is a production of Radio Canada International. You can hear the program via Internet or if you have a short wave radio (every Sat, 7 PM to 8 PM, 13785 kHz).
Month of May was celebrated as the Asian Heritage month. In one program, Jowi honored, Asha Bhosle, a female singer from India with narratives. One of her songs was also played. There was a quiz about Asha. If anyone could answer the quiz could win three CDs offered by Jowi.
I did not have the answer for the quiz. I decided to buy them. That is when I had the chance to know World Music Network and their beautiful compilation of songs from Bollywood. I bought these CDs from Amazon.com. These CDs are produced in Great Britain. Each CD comes with a booklet nicely tucked inside the front cover of the jewel case for the CD.
This booklet is a piece of history of Bollywood's movie making and the role of fabulous play back singers. I do not recall history to be written so good, so methodic, on a movie making industry. All the songs have narrations to detail the situation, the mood.
Back cover of the jewel case has nostalgic posture photo, going back even half a century. I find another music lover and scholar, Ken Hurt, in addition to Jowi Taylor. A team of other experts has captured the vivid details about the human face behind the songs.
One not only gets the songs in a CD, but a good flavor contemporary Bollywood. This is not a typical CD, mass-produced, commercially. Price is right. You will love them, if you have any degree of passion about Indian filmy songs.

Average customer rating: Goddess of Music Siren's Voice of a Thousand Passionate Moods Rough Guide to Bollywood Legend: Lata Mangeskar

Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Asha Bhosle The Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Mohd. Rafi Best of Asha Bhosle: The Golden Voice of Bollywood The Legend: India's Best-Loved Singer The Rough Guide to Bollywood ASIN: B00015BOZO Release Date: 2004-02-03

Tracks:

1. Inhi Logon Ne
2. Allah Tero Naam, Ishwar Tero Naam
3. Aayega Aanewala
4. Sare Shaher Mein
5. Satyam Shivam Sundaram
6. Aye-Dil-E-Nadan
7. Aa Jane Jaan
8. Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya
9. Yeh Dil Diwana Hai
10. Kuchh Na Kaho
11. Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha
12. Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye
13. Yara Seeli Seeli
14. Chandni Raaten Pyar Ki Baaten
15. Kaise Rahun Chup
16. Soja Rajkumari

Amazon.com

A luscious combination of Indian musical tradition, sweeping Hollywood strings, and Latinized big band, the music of Bollywood is the perfect antidote for those jaded Western ears in search of potent new emotions. This comprehensive anthology examines the fairy tale-like career of Lata Mangeshkar, Indian cinema's most famous playback singer. From her breakthrough hit in 1949's ghost story Mahal (the hymn-like "Aayega Aanewala") to the 1994 blockbuster 1942: A Love Story (the sweetly meditative "Kuchh Na Kaho"), the disc guides us through five decades of Bollywood magic, as experienced and defined by Lata's trademark high-pitched voice. This is highly melodramatic, occasionally campy stuff, overflowing with ingenious orchestrations and unexpected sounds. Melody reigns supreme, as in Hemant Kumar's heavenly "Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha." The bubbly "Sare Shaher Mein" finds Lata sharing the spotlight with younger sister Asha Bhosle--the only other Bollywood female singer who has been able to rival her in terms of sheer output and vocal mastery. In fact, the Rough Guide's own volume devoted to Asha serves as the perfect companion piece to this exquisite--and revealing--compilation. --Ernesto Lechner

Customer Reviews:

Goddess of Music .......2006-01-15

Firstly I would like to say, that I have never herd or watched any Bollywood, movies, this all changed when I was in France, for a business trip. Well staying in my hotel I was reading an article in a French English paper. On the front page there was a full story about the Cannes film festival, they had a few pictures of a few Hollywood stars, but the one picture that stood out by far, was of this Indian actress Aishwarya Rai. By far the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life (apart for my wife, lol). It seemed the French media agreed with me, they also debuted her as the most beautiful women in the world. To cut a long story short, I went to watch the movie Devdas, with my wife, even though we did not understand the movie as it was in Hindi, reading the sub titles was enough. I can safely say that it is one the best musical movies I have ever watched. During the end of the movie my wife was in tears, the movie had a profound affect on both of us, so much so that we decided to visit India, during our summer holidays; words can't not describe the beauty of this country. There certain places in India, that can only be descried as heaven. I have to travel a lot for my company; India is by far the best country I have ever been to.

During our visit to India, we bought a few CD's. Rough Guide to Bollywood Legends: Lata Mangeshkar. Firstly my wife played the CD, I did not think any thing off it, but one day, during my day of work I was going through my CD collection, and came across this CD. I decided to play it, although I did not understand the meanings of the songs, some of the melodies can only be discarded has hypnotic.

The clarity and power of Lata Mangeshkar's Voice is amazing. She is one of the best female vocalists I have ever herd. On par and even better then Mariah Carey here in the states. I have downloaded a few songs. The best include "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha", "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" and " Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha"

I would recommend that you purchase, this album, (try out the above songs by downloading them, you will be amazed)

I would also recommend that you watch Devdas, and Google up Aishwarya Rai (this women is stunning)

I would also recommend that you visit India, it's a huge country, we have been going for the past 3 years.

Siren's Voice of a Thousand Passionate Moods.......2005-04-10

This is one CD I could not pass up ... I already have two CDs where Lata Mangeshkar's voice is the most beautiful and spirited, therefore I had an idea I would be very pleased. Pleased? I am ecstatically happy!!! The incomparable voice, the rhythms, the instruments, the variety of films (1949, 1952, 1960s, at least one from 1970, several from the 1980s, and some from the 1990s), the tabla beat ... I could not ask more from any CD. My heartfelt thanks go out to Ken Hunt who selected the tracks. Additionally, this CD has the most extensive and informative liner notes I have seen in a long time. I can not find enough right words to praise the notes and musical selections on this CD.

REVIEW OF SELECTED CONTENTS:
Track #2 has a devotional theme. It is a magnificent way to begin any CD but especially with the poignant emotional voice of Lata Mangeshkar. It is in the "bhajan" style, which is a devotional hymn. It has a nice lyrical quality that hints at something exciting ... most likely the bright future of this very popular and talented Bollywood legend.
Track # 4 "Sare Shaher Mein" begins with a santoor which I am told is considered an "instrument of romance". There are fantastic clarinet-like or other wind instrument musical passages that sound like the Hungarian tarogato. There are hints of the Meditarranean with bouzouki-like improvisational sections and an intense tabla beat which provides trance-like qualities.
Track #6 "Aye-Dil-E-Nadan" also begins with the santoor and has wonderful orchestral arrangements along with a lovely violin section ... Again the Meditarranean music comes to mind. There are sections with soft waterfall like music which turns into more intense white water rapids at an unexpected bend in the flow of this river of sound.
Track #9 "Yeh Dil Diwana Hai" is very astonishing, exciting music. It is reminiscent of klezmer music and Israeli culture. There are definite hints of Sephardic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors ... especially when the male voice accompanies Lata Mangeshkar.
Track # 11 "Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha" has Turkish sounding instruments very likely the flute. At times the musical passages change direction and become more Asian, in fact, very Chinese sounding with soft violins, flute music and tinkling instruments like chimes. The music and Lata's voice whisper of Asian sensuality ...
Track #12 "Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye" is among my favorites. Lata's voice is very sweet, accompanied on the santoor, again the thoughts of sailing on the Meditarranean arise. Her voice has unique trills and other variations ... accompanied by the heart beat of the tabla. Absolutely sublime music and her voice is joyful and serene.
Track # 13 "Yara Seeli Seeli" is my other favorite. The title is a refrain in the song and is highly addictive. There is an unbeatable rhythm and tabla beat. The song begins with an instrument which sounds like a Chinese erhu and totally takes me by surprise. There is a clip clop rhythm that develops which is hypnotic. Lata's voice expresses intense emotions. This selection is pure joy ... the listener can not but sing along.

Overall, the whole CD is truly an outstanding representation of the wide range of musical styles and talents posessed by this most famous and beloved playback singer of Indian films.
Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Rough Guide to Bollywood Legend: Lata Mangeskar.......2004-06-20

The rough guide to Bollywood Legends

Before I thank World Music Network, I owe my respect to Jowi Taylor who conducts "Global Village", one-hour show on music from all over the globe. Global Village is a production of Radio Canada International. You can hear the program via Internet or if you have a short wave radio (every Sat, 7 PM to 8 PM, 13785 kHz).
Month of May was celebrated as the Asian Heritage month. In one program, Jowi honored, Asha Bhosle, a female singer from India with narratives. One of her songs was also played. There was a quiz about Asha. If anyone could answer the quiz could win three CDs offered by Jowi.
I did not have the answer for the quiz. I decided to buy them. That is when I had the chance to know World Music Network and their beautiful compilation of songs from Bollywood. I bought these CDs from Amazon.com. These CDs are produced in Great Britain. Each CD comes with a booklet nicely tucked inside the front cover of the jewel case for the CD.
This booklet is a piece of history of Bollywood's movie making and the role of fabulous play back singers. I do not recall history to be written so good, so methodic, on a movie making industry. All the songs have narrations to detail the situation, the mood.
Back cover of the jewel case has nostalgic posture photo, going back even half a century. I find another music lover and scholar, Ken Hurt, in addition to Jowi Taylor. A team of other experts has captured the vivid details about the human face behind the songs.
One not only gets the songs in a CD, but a good flavor contemporary Bollywood. This is not a typical CD, mass-produced, commercially. Price is right. You will love them, if you have any degree of passion about Indian filmy songs.

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