Mahaleela by Sivamani, A surprisingly good album

I took time to review this album but it is surprisingly so good that I thought it was worthy of a review. You can actually listen to a lot of other instruments besides percussion from Sivamani whose work seems to be more in the background. "Mahaleela" easily qualifies for a good World Music album.

The good songs:

1. Aadhar - Lovely sitar on this one, actually an incredible solo.
2. Vasi Vasi with Shankar mahadevan, Sivamani's background percussion in the beginning of the song is good, Shankar's good singing. Sivamani does his bit well for this one.
3. Basin Bridge - Is it Prasanna on guitars here? Prasanna and Sivamani have been friends for a long time and have been on various stages together. Lovely guitar solo whoever the guitarist was. Vocals heard too but not for a long time. Some drum solo towards the end.
4. Infinity - Marimba/xylophone used by Sivamani, female group vocal sounds very Illayarajaish and a lovely Saarangi solo
5. Mother's land - Lovely flute solo's that is worth the listen, veena heard too.
6. S M Anandan - A song dedicated to his father? Good and a nice portion of Sivamani's drumming heard.

..and the Ok songs:

1. Abbhaji
2. Dancing on the moon
3. Jam packed

... and the lousy ones:

1. Kriya
2. Thank you (could have avoided this one and simply mentioned details on the CD sleeve)

It's raining A R Rahman hits

One thing I forgot while watching Ghajini at Aynikkal Movies in Chalakudy was the song I heard before the show began. I was tempted to ask people from which album the song was playing.

As I was browsing A R Rahman's official site it hit me like a shot from the blue when I heard "Meherbaan" from the movie "Ada" play on his site. A must listen if you haven't heard it.

A R R sings it in an unforgettable romantic style. It felt romantic in the cinema. We went to see it alone, unlike the usual crowd we take to the movies.

And why we love A R Rahman

Just when I am being upset with the music of "Slumdog Millionnaire" comes the songs from A R Rahman for the movie "Delhi 6" that is nothing short of mind-blowing. Start with this gem "Dil Gira Dafatan". Well sung by Ash King and beautifully composed it has an international appeal to it. Nicer will it be, to watch the ravishingly beautiful Sonam Kapoor pictured in this number on screen.

"Masakali" and its retro feel also sounds lovely and interesting. Beautifully composed with nice accordion (or was it harmonium) solos. Sung well too by Mohit Chauhan.

"Genda Phool" is a slow ballad set to Techno beats and sounds so off-beat for a song as this.

"Rehna Tu" is a number that reminds me of English pop hits (particularly Sting and Bono). Sung very well by the master A R Rahman himself and company I will add this to the list of good numbers from Delhi 6. Comes with a nice (electronic flute like instrument) solo too that concludes the song.

Check the lovely numbers here.

We love you Harris Jayaraj

It's been a long time since I posted anything on madrasbee and Harris's numbers from the up-coming Surya, Thamanna starrer "Ayan" tempted me to make this post. "Nenje Nenje" with soothing saxophone is the one bound to be more popular. Other songs are catchy but Nenje made a good first impression. Check out the songs here.

Meanwhile though A R Rahman has brought glory to India winning a Golden Globe there is no comparision to the songs and music of the Hindi Ghajini to that what Harris Jayaraj contributed in the Tamil original. The music of "Slumdog Millionnaire" also sucks.