Label: SAREGAMA
Genre: Love,Romance,Thriller
Director: Anurag Basu
Music Director: Pritam
Leading Cast:  Emraan Hashmi, Shiny Ahuja, Kangna Ranaut

Melodious music has been the hallmark of Mukesh Bhatt’s creations. That Bhatt has trusted Pritam with the music for his creation Ganster – A love story, puts a lot of expectation on Pritam. After the runaway success of Pritam’s Dhoom, Garam Masala, Chocolate and other albums one is hardly surprised that Bhatt entrusted him to deliver a fine performance.

Pritam has created a different kind of music in this album. It is not his “Dhoom Machale” kind of rhythm heavy music designed to please the dancing crowds in clubs. The music is a a pleasing romantic theme where that does justice to the great lyrics by Sayeed Quadrei Mayur and Neelesh Mishra.

The film itself has great expectations with stars like Shiney Ahuja (last year’s hottest male discovery in the title role )along with newcomer Kangna Ranaut and Emraan Hashmi. The film is directed by Anurag Basu who returns after ‘Murder’

The opening number Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, sets the tone for romance which is the underlying theme of the album.   The original version is sung by K.K whose rendition does justice to the lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. K.K has been consistently giving excellent performances and is one of the best that bollywood has to offer. There are two remixes . The first  is 'Euro Mix' that becomes much more techno in the way it begins and brings to fore the true blue club feel. Bunty Rajput is the man behind this remix . Jatin Shama comes up with his own remix version and does a decent job.

Bangladeshi singer James makes his bollywood debut with the next song Beegi Beegi. A song written by Mayur, which is based on Gautam Chatterjee's 'Prithvi'.  James has a great voice and does a decent job but the song is not very powerful and perhaps is meant to be a background number.

The next number Lamha Lamha  is sung by Abhijeet and  later he is joined in the duet by Sunidhi Chauhan.  Neelesh Misra’s lyrics are wonderful  and Abhijeet’s voice turns it into a soulful presentation. Sunidhi Chauhan is as usual great!

 The title of the next song "Ya Ali" makes us believe that this may be a sufi track or may be a qawalli.. It is neither. It is actually  a very unusual number – a techno piece with unique musical arrangements.  It is a passionate love song with lyrics from Sayeed Quadri and sung by Zubin.

My favorite was the last song,   'Mujhe Mat Roko', which is  a semi classical track by Kavita Seth. The piece uses only the drone of a Tanpura in the background and is almost a “Tumri” type of composition.  In the classical tradition it has the ability to really bring out the longing of a woman to be with her lover.

This album is an unusual one where the emphasis in on the lyrics and the voice. There is not over use of orchestral music and it is wonderful  Pritam has indeed provided a wonderful score. Will it have staying power? Only time will tell

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