Paheli

What can I say, as soon as I realized M.M. Kreem had a new album out, I had been haunting my local Indian store. Today, as I got in the store, he had a smile on his face, couple mins later, I had Paheli's soundtrack in my hand… anxious to get out of the shop.

There are three music directors I buy music CDs of without even bothering to read the reviews, MM Kreem is the least prolific of the trio. I have heard the CD four times, end to end, since I got it. I have not skipped a single song (though I have repeated one of them). Amazing accomplishment, not a single song (including the one instrumental ) out of the 8 on the cd is 'skippable'. Lyrics by Gulzar (he still is a poet, tending more towards a wordsmith than a philosopher, but he's the best we've got).

Dhire jalna: reminds me of a concerto by Beethoven, you can hear the rain and the thunder ( not literally) by the lulls, crescendos and the beautiful themes that crossover and resonate … he uses Santoor and flute, best use of these since shiv-hari stopped directing music. And Sarod!!!! Sonu Nigam's voice is made bearable by the music, you almost don't notice it. Breath catches in my chest when the orchestra picks up… To be heard with volume as high as your ear drums will allow.… The song tells a story, in music ( not words)…I just hope that the picturisation lives up to it. Most definitely my favorite song so far.

Kangna re: Three voices so similar in timber; Madhushree, Bela Shende and Shreya Ghoshal…mellifluous is the only word to describe the combination of these voices:). Kalapini Komakali is the Ila Arun replacement, in my humble opinion, better than the original, her voice lacks the aggressiveness of Ila Arun. Nice mellow song with a medium paced beat.

Phir Raat Kati: features twice, Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukwinder Singh. Uma's favourite so far, hyper paced, very minimal music. Primary instrument one of those single strand ektara's played with the violin like bow, beautiful use of the voices and instrument..niether of which hides the 'imagery of the words' ( can't write hinglish, gotta listen to the CD) … Sunidi Chauhan tries out some vocal tricks.. which gain full approval from Uma :)

Laaga Re Jal Laaga : was waiting for it, only song which kreem sings in this album, unfortunately he sings only the opening bars. Full orchestra; tons of violins, good beat… It has jal tarang this time… he has used voices well, Shruti Sadolikar has a couple lines that add character like an unusual instrument… very well done.

Khaali Hai Tere Bina : semi ghazal-ish, reminded me what Hariharan was famous for, his voice. I do not believe anyone has gotten Hariharan to do a taan, beautiful, haunting… perfect. Hariharan has not done anything this beautiful, ever (or at-least in a long time) simple tabla and flute backdrop…

The amazing part about the entire album is the beauty of each instrument, each voice, how everything is perfectly framed … This guy is a master of all instruments, I did not hear synthesized music anywhere… pure instruments... all Indian , played well. Everything is exactly right, not too little and definitely not too much.. thing of joy( fine, I know I am going gaga.. but I haven't heard anything this beautifully done in a looong time... even Bunti aur Babli or Swades are a feeble second..)

Minnat Kare: three intermingled voices, reminded me of the teasing girl numbers from taal, virasat.. this is what they were hoping to become. Flute, ghungroo this time, tabla, sarod, sitar, veena, dholak, shehnai.. amazing!!!

Dhire Jalna, instrumental: This is one instrumental you actually want to listen to, sarangi, they say is the instrument that mimics human voice the closest… you can see why they say that, Beautiful.