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Ravi Chopra's 'Babul' brings the cultural deep rooted ethics of Indian family with loads of bankable stars in accomplished package of Bollywood entertainer. The filmmaker has once again trusted the reliable pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini as the lead pair of the film after the bumper success of 'Baghbaan'. If 'Baghbaan' was an eye opener about responsible but depressed parenthood, then 'Babul' is a tearjerker of a different kind. The film enjoys strong face value as it is loaded with the acting prowess of saleable actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, John Abraham and Rani Mukherjee in the lead roles. Aadesh Srivastav is trusted again after the success of 'Baghbaan' to compose music for 'Babul' despite the fact there has been surprise musical prodigies in last few years. It has been thumbs down affair for Aadesh after 'Baghbaan' (2003) with a string of unnoticed and mediocre film albums. He has disappointing years with albums like 'Sandwich', 'Rehguzar' (unreleased), 'Alag', 'Husn', 'Apaharan', 'Dev' and 'Deewar' falling like nine pins. The music of 'Baghbaan' proved one man show with Amitabh Bachchan singing four soundtracks. 'Babul' has one big song "Come on Come on" in the voice of Big B and it has been used in the promos. The surprise element of the album is the soulful theme soundtrack in the voice of Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. Experienced campaigner Sameer comes up with humorous, playful, festive and emotional lyrics that metaphor with the situation of the film. 'Babul' offers eleven original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series music cassettes and CD's.

COME ON COME ON: Aadesh Srivastav plays his triumph card to give a befitting start to the album by coming out with festive song by Amitabh Bachchan and others in the enthusiastically composed soundtrack "Come on Come on". The festive communion of happy and prosperous family gets the soul and skin of trendy Bhangra and hip-hop feel and reminds of "Meri Makhna" ('Baghbaan'). Bollywood's reigning voice Sonu Nigam sings face to face with Big B in entertaining and conflicting vocal scuffle along with Aadesh Srivastav and Ranjit Barot joining in chorus. Aadesh Srivastav takes a big leap in improvising his skills as he infuses trendy hip-hop and reggae to give it a racy and snooty touch. Amitabh Bachchan's mischievously and raucous voice conflicts as dominating father who shares light moment with his lovable son voiced by Sonu Nigam. It becomes interesting when Amitabh shows his masculinity and wittiness in the lines "Abhi Main Jawan Hoon" and hear it when shouts like a gleaming old cheerful yet dictating father. It will be sure shot chartbusting for its pompous feel and Big B's towering voice showing its supremacy and superseding all others in the song. Sameer exudes a fine blend of Punjabi folk lyrics combined with engrossing and chirpy conversations that lead the song to festive delight. Hear it with loud volumes and it will give you a true party feel and reasons to shake leg on the floors.

DJ Suketu speeds up festive proceedings as he comes out with conventional club remix feel in the soundtrack "Come on Come on (remix)". The raunchy female and loud upbeat hip-hop vocals in the background give it a disco feel.

KEH RAHA HAI: The energizing feel and thrust of "Come on Come on", comes to a screeching halt when things calm down considerably in the soundtrack "Keh Raha Hai". Aadesh Srivastava fails to create anything innovative in conventional love duet and sounds pale and ineffective. Sonu Nigam along with Shreya Ghoshal sings out in low pitch and contemporary Bollywood music follows it with slow pace. The song has the feel of Aadesh Srivastava's least effective soundtrack from 'Baghbaan'-- "Pehle Kabhi Mera Haal" and would be ignored despite album's monumental hype. Disappointing!

HAR MANZAR: Mood gets electrified again as Kunal Ganjawala speeds up the proceeding in his energizing vocals and sets foot-tapping in the soundtrack "Har Manzar". It's song where the lover boy craves for his lady love and finds her in every place, moment and feel. Sameer's lyrics may not be as penetrative as Kunal's strikingly effective voice that stirs up the senses. The song has the pub feel where the youthful emotions are emanated and shared with a bunch of friends. The sensuously rhythmic saxophone tones, fast paced guitar strums and energizing feel of the keyboard gives it desired up-thrust that sets the tempo of the song. Kunal Ganjawala delivers it brilliantly while Aadesh Srivastava is no revelation but has the gripping of decent musical entertainer.

DJ Suketu comes up with second remix work and this time it has an echoing effect camouflaged in conventional club feel to give another impressive number in the form of "Har Manzar (remix)". The fine work of beat-matching and DJ claps gives it a "disco" feel that promises to be DJ's collector's item.

KEHTA HAI BABUL: The painful sentiments of a caring father in a situation where her beloved daughter bids farewell after her marriage get beautifully emoted in thematically oriented soundtrack "Kehta Hai Babul". It brings the poet out of Sameer as the lyrics are beautifully penned, disclosing the innermost sentiments of a loner father. Jagjit Singh's voice makes it perfect ten with his soulfully penetrative voice that seeps into senses. Earlier, this track was supposed to be rendered by Big B but finally Jagjit Singh was assigned the job and the end result is brilliant. Aadesh Srivastav uses minimum of instruments and the heartfelt emotions are exuded primarily through "Shehnai" and violin rendition. Lyricist Sameer delivers one of his finest works in recent times and the feel of the film in phrases, verses and words. Jagjit Singh has earlier sung theme songs like "Maa Tujhe Salaam" ('Khalnayak') and "Tu Hai Shikhar" ('Shikhar') with finesse and it adds to his credits. The long duration of the song (eight minutes) might be stressing but if heard with patience it has the substance and feel to make even stone cry. "Kehta Hai Babul" will be an important feature in the narration of the film and it is icing on cake for Jagjit Singh after the release of his recent Ghazal album "Koi Baat Chale".

BEBASI DARD KA AALAM: Undoubtedly, the best song of the album comes with enchanting music, soulful lyrics and penetrative vocal in sentimental tones to melt honey in ears in the soundtrack "Bebasi Dard Ka Aalam". Kunal Ganjawala deserves all the accolades for being brilliant in emoting out the caring and lovable embrace to his distressed beloved in this captivating soundtrack. The excruciating vocals bring out the heartfelt sentiments of lovable friend who wants to part sorrow and pain. It gives the strength and valor to the distressed from the singer to bail out from her loneliness and grief. The song has deep impact felt through painful lyrics by Sameer. Aadesh Srivastav uses saxophone tones, violin and guitar strums in softer mode to match with Kunal's echoing and impressive voice. Kunal Ganjawala delivers one of the finest ballad of this year and by far his best soundtrack of the year in all respects. SENTIMENTALLY BEAUTIFUL!!!

BAAWRI PIYA KI: Aadesh Srivastav makes surprise move by imbibing the latest trend of "lounge" music in the classical Indian music in the lovable melody "Baawri Piya Ki". The slow and subtle vocals of Sonu Nigam move in tandem with rhythmic tabla loops, synchronized violin chorus and titillating flute notes to give a mesmerizing appeal. Lately there have been albums like "Piya Bawari" by Pt. Ajay Pohankar in Indian classical music range with similar "lounge" musical touch. Aadesh Srivastava proves his mettle in this semi-classical number that shows the deep rooted affection of love struck beloved for her lover (piya). Sameer's lyrics are once again improvised and penetrative to match the sentimental quotient of the film and album. "Baawri Piya Ki" will have more takers from class audiences than youngsters for its classical touch.

GA RE MANN: The trendsetting "Kajra Re" ('Bunty Aur Babli') shows its rough edges and the mood is electrified with "qawwali" flavors in the soundtrack "Ga Re Mann". Amitabh was supposed to render his voice but due to technical reasons his replicate voice, Sudesh Bhonsle's, has been used. The lackluster musical arrangements, ordinary lyrics and sluggish voices make this a disappointing affair. Sudesh Bhonsle sings for Big B while Kailash Kher, Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy join him later in traditional "qawwali" style. Sudesh and Alka Yagnik sing the major part of the song while Kailash Kher and Kavita Krishnamurthy are relegated to background singing. The song shifts from somber mood to energizing mode but the overall impact of entertaining track is completely missing. A passable number that should find its relevance in the film otherwise it's avoidable.

BABUL BIDAAI SONG : The full throated folksy vocals of Richa Sharma sings the excruciating emotions of newly wed bride in unplugged version in the traditional soundtrack -- "Babul Bidaai Song". This two-minute plus song reflects the sentiments of bride while parting away from her parents during her "bidaai". It works well as background score and adds one more winner to Richa Sharma after "Agle Jaanam Mohe" ('Umrao Jaan').

VAADA RAHA: The album ends on dull, sad and morose note as Sonu Nigam sings painfully "Vaada Raha". It is a brief rendition of grief stricken lover emoting in minimum orchestration with soulful impact. Once again it's background score that should fit well in the film.

Aadesh Srivastava rises from ashes in 'Babul' and delivers one of the finest albums of the year with couple of memorable soundtracks. "Come on Come on" is chartbusting number while "Har Manzar" is hip-shaking. "Bebasi Dard Ka Aalam" is outstanding whereas "Kehta Hai Babul" and "Baawri Piya Ki" have class appeal. 'Babul' has the potential to compete with bestselling film albums and will be listening feat for music lovers in coming weeks.