MUSIC REVIEW OF NAQAB
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
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Abbas-Mastan's biggest crime thriller of this year 'Naqab' is all set to rock box-office as it comes as the biggest entrant in its cadre. After the success of 'Humraaz', this film comes out with the pairing of Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol in the leading roles. Tips' discovery Urvashi Sharma, the girl who featured in Mika's "Something Something" and Atif Aslam's "Doorie" makes her screen debut with this film. Set in the beautiful locations of Dubai and United Arab Emirates, the film comes up with the tagline of "Disguised Intentions". Pritam has composed the musical soundtracks that are sure to enthrall urban audiences for its trendy and "cool" feel. It will be the first big occasion when Pritam will be composing music for Abbas-Mustan's crime thriller. Lyricist Sameer has formed an amicable chemistry with Pritam to deliver bountiful of musical entertainments. 'Naqab' promises musical entertainment in its eight original soundtracks that can be heard on Tips music cassettes and CD's.
Ek Din Teri Raahon Main (2 Versions) : Pritam's proficiency with soft rock ballad has been a prize factor that has led him to the top slot among today's Bollywood music directors. "Ek Din Teri Raahon", a soft rock ballad, comes with mushy guitar strums melted well in the sensitively played orchestration where new singing sensation Javed Ali rises to the occasion with great flair. This signature soundtrack promises to be the next chartbusting stuff and adds one hit in the bag of Pritam's super-hit soft rock ballad collections. Sameer's lyrics are highly penetrative and work intrinsically with the theme, situation and subject of the film. The song talks about the spirited confessions of true love by a compassionate lover with a promise of everlasting bonding. Javed Ali's impressive vocals are mixed well with titillating guitar strums, rhythmic piano notes, romantic saxophone notes and soft pitched electronic sounds to create a mesmerizing feel to the ears. Pritam forays another singing talent in the form of Javed Ali and like all his hit rock ballads, it works effectively for the album and the film.
Feverish "club" mix mood masquerades in this romantically conceived number where Zubin Garg's "yuppie" paced vocals makes vibrant noises in the racy soundtrack - "Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein (remix)". Both these versions are enjoyable and will make big news on radio and TV channels in coming days.
Aa Dil Se Dil Mila (2 Versions) : "Aa Dil Se Dil Mila Le", a carnival dancing soundtrack comes through with racy electronic sounds and beats with Krishna's throaty vocals creating a bedlam of emotions. Pop diva Alisha Chinai is the surprise factor as she makes another worthy contribution as disco crooner after her smash-hit "It's Rocking" ('Kya Love Story Hai'). The soundtrack has been conceived as beach or party carnival song with loads of rhythmic Latino dancing and loud orchestration. Pritam tries to recreate the festive zest of "Dil Laga Na" ('Dhoom 2') and succeeds to a large extent with gleaming vocals that are mixed impressively with trendy pitched musical arrangements.
"Aa Dil Se Dil Mila Le (remix)" sounds more like a Himesh Reshammiya's styled remix number where nasal twang of Krishna makes a fine combination with Sufi Rock zing. It's typical "club" disco song that should evoke youthful passions on the floors.
Aye Dil Paagal Mere (3 Versions) : After spirited and aggressively conceived party songs, it's the sentiment of the soft mushy romantic mood taking over with bright and intimidating love soundtrack "Aye Dil Paagal Mere". This is peculiar Abbas-Mastan's style of number that shows the "disguised intentions" of the lead protagonist with a haunting backdrop of contemporary crime thriller. Sonu Nigam's resonating and modulating vocals justify the inhibited sentiments in its well versed lyrical work that metaphors the feel of the film. It can be compared to "Sanam Mere Humraaz" ('Humraaz') in terms of its rhythmical patterns. Both Pritam and Abbas-Mastan have felt special about this soundtrack as it return in two other versions with different voices.
"Aye Dil Paagal Mere (remix)" works better as haunting background as the racy disco beat fillers are suffused with thumping effect. The first remix presents Sonu Nigam in trendy attire where the electronic sounds and synthesizer notes work aggressively to create frenzy feel on the floors.
Sunidhi Chauhan's husky voice comes behind the mike and croons out the unveiled emotions of bizarre love in the second remix version of "Aye Dil Paagal Mere". Like the first version, it works as an intimidating background score rather than disco number. It's an above average number that reflects the fluctuating fortunes in the love life of the protagonists.
Disguised Intentions : "Disguised Intentions", the tagline of the film, comes in the form of a racy and extroverted instrumental work depicting the various moods of the situations of the film. It has the rhythmical patterns of "Aye Dil Paagal Mere" getting replaced with spirited "Gregorian Chants" in a contemporary "lounge" musical style. This work is the finest form of instrumental work that can be utilized in the background score of the film. Pritam has conceived a potential background score that should help the film in its narrative flow.
Javed Ali's sung "Ek Din Teri Raahon Meri" is the prize winning number of the album. It ensures itself in the top ranking of upcoming hit numbers. While a number like "Aye Dil Paagal Mere" holds its cinematic significance and relevance as it metaphors the thematic feel of the film, "Aa Dil Se Dil Mila" is a contemporary Pritam styled number with positive impact. Pritam's offering has been interesting but comes in brief packaging of three soundtracks extended in eight original soundtracks. It will appeal to listeners but its commercial viability will be limited due to lack of sufficient original soundtracks in it.