Sometimes It is kinda hard to tell the difference between two music genres. I still can’t tell the exact difference between House and Trance or Acid Jazz and Big Band Jazz or Alternative Rock and Punk. They surely must have some differences but I guess its out of my league to figure out their deviations. One thing that I surely can say is, I could tell the difference between a bogus bollywood number from a very bogus number. Its not that hard u know.. I guess I have done enough of music bashing in my previous review so lemme stick to some genuinely good music this time.
Way back in 96-97 when my friend first told me that Mehmood’s son is out with an Indipop album, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I said, is it a ’’Hum Kaale Hain Toh Kya Hua Dilwaale Hain’’ remix?? Though my mate insisted that I should listen to the album before I jump on to conclusions, I remained cynical (coz’ of my past experiences with Indipop numbers like Amitabh’s Eir Bir Phatte and Alisha’s Bombay Girl ..Eeeeks!!!). Until oneday, when I finally decided to give it a go. And I was more than just surprised. Sunoh was an awesome album.
Lucky Ali aka Maqsood Mehmood Ali son of the popular comedian / film-maker Mehmood, had his go at bollywood movies earlier in the 80s which proved disastrous for him (he featured in Shyam Benegal’s ’’Trikaal’’). Till 1996, Lucky Ali remained unacknowledged until his album ’’Sunoh’’ changed his fortunes. Today he is a household name. He sings for maestros like AR Rahman and MM Kreem and he has three private albums to his credit (each of which is a delight to hear).
It was Lucky Ali and his mate Aslam (who penned the lyrics) gave birth to Sunoh. This album is simply psychedelic. I can’t categorize this album into a particular genre. All I could say is, its one of its kinds. I think I could compare Silk Route’s ’’Boondein’’ remotely to this album or Lucky Ali’s later albums. To top it up the album was embellished by some great music videos by Mahesh Mathai (of Bhopal Express fame).
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Milegi Milegi Manzil: A song based on just vocals and guitars (and later on strings) backed up with some amazing https://lyrics. Milegi Milegi is unquestionably my favourite song in this album. Its a song about hope. I switch off my lights and prefer to be left alone when I am listening to this number.
Catch Line: Milegi milegi manzil, Chalke kahin door, Aaye hain chale jaane ko, Aaye hain chale jaayenge, Door majboor, door majboor
Sunoh: Fantastic use of guitars, great chord progression and simply brilliant singing. Its a decently well paced number. I can bet it would get ur feet tapping if not dancing. I remember.. Tara Deshpande table dancing to this number in the movie ’’Bombay Boys’’.
Catch Line: Hai re mohabbat, tu reh gayi anjaani, yeh deewani jawani, tujhe nahin pehchaani, Toone jag ko bhaaya, sabko toone samjhaaya, sab leke manmaani, tujhe nahin pehchaani
O Sanam: How much I love the video of this song shot in Egypt. An absolutely adorable number. Love the humming part of the song. Its the highlight.
Catch Line:Milke bichadna toh dastoor ho gaya, yaadon mein teri majboor ho gaya, O Sanam, tere yaadon ki kasam..hmmmm
Kya Mausam Hain: Suggest listening to this song while u r driving. I had this song playing all the time while I was driving to Miami a couple of years back. It made so much sense then. A very feel good, light-hearted number.
Tum Hi Se: This number somehow reminds me of the sunset. Maybe its my weird imagination..LOL. Actually, its a song dedicated to the almighty. Suggesting that he is the cause for the existence of this world. Its more like an acknowledgement and gratitude.
Pyar Ka Musafir: Its a gypsy’s number. It says..Main hoon pyar ka musafir, dil khush hai aaj mera, jahan mile mohabbat, wahi mera basera... Well should I say its rather a philanderer’s number...It surely is my anthem now.. (don’t get any ideas girls.. u know Im a monk). A very high pitched number and aptly sung by Lucky Ali. Love the use of guitars and drums in this number.
Jab Hum Chotey Hote The: Faux pas all the way. Don’t get me wrong.. the song is not a let down... but the song is about wrong perceptions. The way the world is seen as a child is a lot different to what it actually is. Brilliant lyrics and the music is absolutely ecstatic. Catch Line: Simply love this line: Raaste hain wahi, hai toh pyar ki kami, main jo dhoondta hoon mile kaha
Yeh Zameen Hai: It was my friend ’’Topi’s’’(yeah that was his name) favourite number (for a while) during my undergrad days. I still remember we all singing ’’yeh zameen hai, aasmaan hai, aur beech mein hain hum.. mai re mai re hai re mai re hai re hai’’... reminds me of those days when I was confused about love..aur beech mein hain hum... mai re hai re.... A very soft number, Yeh Zameen Hai rocks..
Yeh Mumbai : A song dedicated to all my fellow mumbaiiah MS’ians. The song is about Lucky Ali’s fixation with Mumbai. Its got an arabic base to this number. Definitely worth a listen..
Catch Line: Jisse poocho kahe woh toh main hoon insaan, tu hai insaan toh main bhi hoon hairaan’’
Aap Par Arz Hai: Another number with some great humming. A very feel-good number... Aap Par arz hai rocks.. backed up by some fantastic lyrics by Aslam.
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Sometimes albums such as these play such a relieving factor for those who wanna get away from the regular Bollywood fare. A brilliant debut by Lucky Ali and I believe he surely lived upto expectations with his later Albums such as Sifar and Aks. Presently, I am in love with his Khuda Haafiz number from Yuva.
Sunoh rocks...