First a brief ‘sono-biography’ of the singer. My First memory of the singer goes back to late eighties to ‘Khilaf’, in whose song ‘Aa ja Sanam…’ the soaring vocals of this capable singer were on display. The song was a spellbinding one. After that there have been few misses before ‘Saudagar’, when the title song was accredited to him alongwith another velvety voice of Manhar. After that one comes straight down to ‘Taal’ and Dil Se..’, in which the singer was in full bloom in Ramta Jogi, Kariyo na and Chaiya Chaiya respectively. There has been no looking back for him since and every movie worth its music has one or two Sukhvinder numbers.
He has one of the best range in the industry and seems to be traversing three octaves at ease. His voice has a coarse feel which produces mesmerizing effect in the higher notes. Listen to his private song ‘Nasha’ and you will feel what I mean. His ability of fast paced songs is best displayed in ‘Chhu le’ in which he spellbounds you with his amazing prowess of going along difficult note sequences with ease. (Malaika sizzled too in the video of this number).
Here are some of my all time favourites by him:
Kariye na…Taal: See the soaring Alap he takes in the background vocals.
aa la Sanam... Khilaaf…: I loved humming this song. It was achallenge to sing at the original scales. It was pathbreaking at those times.
Chhu le…Private: The Song is fast paced one in which Suklhvinder is at full bloom.
Ramta jogi…Taal: He makes you swing like a man having had one too many.
Kisna…title song: He made lives of many an ‘Idols’ with this song.
Kawa Kawa…Monsoon Wedding: Simply breathtaking
Ruth a Gayee re…Earth 1947: Typical Sukhvinder
Dillagi…Title Song
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His songs with a ‘suphiana’ touch and Punjabi folk feel have been his greatest hits. Though he seems to have limitations of appeal in mushy type romantic songs, as his is an intense voice. He voice has a certain haut value which brings about the Melancholy of so typical of some of his songs. He is a pucca singer with no false frequencies. He is at his best in Mishr Swaras. He can be our own Reshma.
I strongly recommend Mr. Sukhvinder Singh for the kinds of songs he sings.