Imtiaz Ali. Shahid & Kareena. Pritam Chakraborty. Irshad Kamil. Well, doesn't match does it? You've got to swallow this group sooner, if not later, 'cause Shahid Kapur & Kareena Kapoor team up yet again in another movie, directed by Imtiaz Ali and with music by Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. The jodi of Shahid & Kareena sure comes up onscreen with good music, if not fireworks. The album always turns out to be a luscious buy, really.
Anyway, since one reads the word PRITAM on the CD Cover, they will surely have sky high expectations.
The expectations are met, and how!
The album starts with aplomb, Mauja Hi Mauja being the first number. This number is high in bass, and has a chatpata Punjabi Bhangra flavor. Mika Singh has a hattrick on his hands with Dil Mein Baji Guitar from Apna Sapna Money Money already a huge chartbuster, and continuing to do the rounds on the radio, and Ganpat from the Original SoundTrack of Shootout at Lokhandwala being a hit among the youth. He's great as usual, and the number actually clicks in one go, unlike other numbers, that seem to grow on you each time you hear them.
The Remixed version is more or less the same as the original; it's nothing but an addition of some beats. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable, and will soon get on you. It's a good hear overall, and will be a number frequently played on the radio stations in days to come.
But don't expect Pritam Chakraborty, the Mr. Veratile, to churn out tracks of the similar genre. The next number in the coming is Tum Se Hi, crooned by Mohit Chauhan. Well, I guess he seems to be new in this thing, but he sings like he's a package full of experience. He's got the power to sing well, and his singing gives a silken touch to our insides. But well, it's not his singing alone, but the song as a whole, which comprises also of the composer and the lyricist. Irshad Kamil can be well noticed for his lyrics in this song. His lyrics soothe you very much. And as far as the music composition by Pritam is concerned, it's unquestionnable, and it will be a sacrilige if questionned upon!
The remix version (well, don't you think the song stands for itself and doesn't need a remix?) is good enough, and doesn't tamper with the original, though it's adds that that little spark to this particular song and makes it a little more enjoyable and foottapping. I guess it doesn't spoil the compilation at all, and instead provides us a bit of variety; some sweetness here and some spice there!
Well, after reading Shreya Ghoshal's vocals for Yeh Ishq Hai, I thought that it would be an out-n-out romance number with all those goods. But boy, wasn't I in for a shock? Shreya Ghoshal in a completely new avatar in this, mind you! And don't expect what you should before hearing the song and while going through it's credits. Dollops of North Indian chaska, with some South Indian masala, combined additionally with that RnB and HipHop feel, and garnished with Irshad Kamil's semi-Urdu lyrics, and Shreya Ghoshal's stylish sweet-n-sexy voice, this is a complete attention-grabber. It would be a sacrilege not to hear this.
The remix version starts with some unknown voice chanting Yeh Ishq Hai, Jannat Dikhaye, most probably Antara Mitra, in the background. This continues throughout the song in parts, but, the fact remains that Shreya Ghoshal rules, and has done a great job. The remix version pumps up the volume even more, and could catch up with the masses even more than the original.
The album continues to be in that dance mode with Nagada Nagada as the next number crooned by Sonu Nigam and Javed Ali. Though one does get a deja-vu feeling, this song works for itself, and I guess if combined with the video, it would be even better, as this is just a situational song, 'cause this movie is based partly in Bhatinda, remember!
Romance returns again with the entry of Aao Milo Chalo in the voices of Shaan, and Ustad Sultan Khan (remember Leija Leija from Ustad & The Divas, and the title song of Piya Basanti?). Shaan does full justice to this song, and you get really relaxed when you listen to this song. Though Ustad Sultan Khan comes in a bit late in the song, and only for a short duration, he comes at the right time. Overall, it adds up as one of the the best songs, and thank God that it's doesn't come up as a remixed version.
The album continues in the romance mode, this time added with some lounge and garnished with a classical touch. Aaoge Jab Tum, is a magical number, crooned by Ustad Rashid Khan, with Sandesh Shandilya acting up as the guest composer of this album. Sandesh Shandilya, as usual, is in his form with this number, the Ustad sings exactly like an Ustad, and rightly deserves the title. Irshad Kamil's lyrics work up their magic once again. And no, this song doesn't need a remix either, as it stands on it's own, really!
Well, as they say, "Sometimes, it's best to keep the best for the last.". And the BEST, comes at the last. It's an instrumental piece, entitled "Tum Se Hi - Instrumental" on the back cover of the album, but it's more than just that. It seems to be a theme piece, and could be there throughout the movie. Only the tune of the first few lines have been incorporated into this album. This instrumental piece is by far the best and the most irrestible piece, and I've heard it like, 56 times already! I don't have any proper words to praise this instrumental piece. Pritam has done an outstanding job on this particular piece, and yes, this IS the best, of the whole album.
Jab We Met might well be a turning point in Shahid and Kareena's career as an onscreen couple, well because of it's music. Dllops of romance with the right amount of Punjabi masti make this album an exceptional one. It's a must have, and I bet no-one will regret the amount they spend in buying this album. Go for it!