Chords & Notes

Hotshot - Shaggy (Universal, Rs. 125)

Orville Richard Burrell used to be recognised by his long mane. And soon he was rechristened Shaggy. But, of course, it's not just his hair that has made him famous... it's his music too.

It has been a long and tough journey to the top for the reggae artiste. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaggy, like any aspiring musician, came to New York to make it big in the pop arena. And he did make it.

For the ex-U.S. Marine Officer, his first major hit was 'Boombastic' (1995), which won him a Grammy for the best Reggae album. But the albums that followed failed to make an impact and soon Shaggy was left with a record contract even. Till 'Hotshot' happened. It marked the return of the reggae star and topped the U.S. charts.

If 'Boombastic' was based on hip-hop, 'Hotshot' has shades of different American pop genres. For example, the title track is in the hip hop mode, while "Lonely Lover" is soulful, with beautiful guest vocals by T-Lo. "Dance and Shout" reminds one of the dance music of Chic and Michael Jackson in his "Off the Wall" mode.

By and large, the whole album is rhythmic and peppy, is most likely to appeal to pop enthusiasts rather than reggae purists. - Good.

Pyar Tune Kya Kiya - Sandeep Chowta (Venus, Rs. 55)

The youthful team of Ramgopal Varma, sizzling Urmila and Sandeep Chowta get together once again after a "Mast" trip of the "Jungle". But this time, Varma decides to only produce and leave the directing bit to Rajat Mukherjee.

Chowta's compositions, in general, have simple melodies and tunes... sometimes catchy, but most often pleasant. That applies to "Pyar Tune Kya Kiya" too.

The songs have a bit of folk and a bit of hip hop. Like "Kambakth Ishq" (Asha Bhonsle, who sounds just great, Sukhwindra Singh and Sonu Nigam) that has a R D Burman feel to it . Or the title track, (Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam) that stick to the standard Hindi film formula. (Actually, Chitra's version sounds better).

"Ku Ku Ku" (Sonu Nigam) opens with the sounds of Irish fiddles set to bhangra beats, with a soothing flute solo by Kamalakar.

But somehow, the number does not rise above the ordinary. "Jaana" (Sonu Nigam, Kavitha Subramaniam) is romantic, with a classical slant. "Roundhe.." (for this Chowta credits a 'Laura' for inspiration. Could he be referring to the theme from the 1944 classic film directed by Otto Preminger?) sung both by Alisha Chinai and Sowmya, has an air of mystery surrounding it, heightened by a slow pace and the orchestrations.

An average score by the Chowta standards, but an above average score as far as Hindi cinema standards are concerned. - Fair.

Shai Ra Ra - Usha Uthup (Universal, Rs. 65)

The 'original' queen of Indipop, her husky, yet powerful voice has held sway for almost three decades now. If her Indianness is characterised by her dress code (silk sarees, flowers in her hair, bangles and big bindis), then her Western orientation comes across through her music. Usha Uthup is back in action... with yet another album of Hindi songs. Foot-tapping and ideal for the dance floor, they may be. But the numbers do not do full justice to Usha's superb range. If you are a die-hard fan of Usha's then you could check this out.

Otherwise, avoidable. - Fair.

S. P.

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