What do you expect when AR Rahman is just back from winning the
Golden Globe for his outstanding soundtrack of 'Slumdog
Millionaire'? What do expect when three giant honchos, Rakeysh
Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi and Rahman collide? You expect
nothing less than extraordinary entertainment. And does the album
of 'DELHI 6' deliver? The answer is a resounding YES!!!

2009 has begun with a bang in terms of soundtracks, with 'DELHI 6'
featuring a sublime collection of ear candy tailor made for you.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and A.R Rahman have rekindled the magic
of 'Rang de basanti' in a huge way. Forget 'Jodha Akbar', 'Yuvvraaj'
and 'Ghajini', 'DELHI 6' owns them all bigtime.

The album literally explodes in your face with the
radiant 'Masakali', a song that brings back memories of the clarinet
in 'Swades'. Its sheer subdued nature and Mohit Chauhan's vocals
simply win your heart.

Just when you expect a teenage club track, along comes the mind
blowing 'Bhor Gaye', a classical track based on a raaga. You can't
help but lose yourself in the mesmerizing vocals by Ustad Bade
Ghulam Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal. Goshal particularly impresses
and proves her chameleon-like talent.

After Amitabh Bachchan's deep voice booms in 'Noor', 'Tumre Bhavan
Mein', a jaw dropping brilliantly composed aarti brings out the
goosebumps. A rhythmic electronic groan shimmering in the background
will shuttle and immerse you in a quiet meditative place in your
head. This track will play splendidly against a montage of Delhi,
but lets see what the director does with it.

'Genda phool' opens with birds chirping and beautifully transforms
into a folk song, then poetically slips into western electronic
beats. Rekha Bharadwaj, Shrradha Pandit, Sujata Majumdar and V.N.
Mahathi provide some interesting vocals to a clever composition by
Rajat Dholakia.

Fantastic vocals from Ash King, a relatively new singer in Bollywood
croon, a haunting, romantic guitar kicks into play, and 'Dil gira
daftan' forms like a cloud of paint when the brush is dipped in
water. A slight hint of 'Riverdance' ups the tempo charmingly, and
the track smoothens into the best of the album. The lyrics by
Prasoon Joshi are incredible and backing vocals by Chinmayee add a
nice touch.

'Hey Kala Bandar' features an amalgamation of african-esque folk
song vocals, hip hop beats, rap lyrics and the 'naagin' tune. The
lyrics are questionable, but hilarious. Sample this: "it wasn't me I
swear, everyone is looking for the monkey out there". Forget the
lyrics and this track will soon have you shaking your booty with its
club appeal.

'Rehna Tu' follows with a lounge like feel to it, and seems like a
nice accompaniment to the jazz version of 'Jaane tu'. You can sing
this one to your girlfriend, or you can play it for her, or even
mention it to her, and she'd me mighty happy. Icky sweet lyrics,
faint electronic guitar and Rahman's trademark soulful melancholy -
perfect!

'Delhi 6', the title track is a refurbished 'Aye Bachchu' from
Ghajini, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Destined to make you
nod your head when no one is looking, this track will probably play
when the film opens. Its got attitude, its got panache, youthful
vocals and rock based guitar. Its everything that you'd want as the
title track of a movie. Vocalists Blaaze, Benny, Viviane, Tanvi and
Claire deserve full credit for this cool number.

'Arziyan' has a wonderful sufi feel to it, the harmonium and tabla
suck you in the mood and Javed Ali and Kailash Kher invite you to
sing with them.

There you are then, 'DILLI 6' is a sparkling album that satisfies
the most diverse of listeners. This film might just be as good
as 'Rang de basanti', in any case the music is almost as good. Buy
it without further ado. In case I hadn't mentioned before, you won't
forget the guitar in 'Dil gira daftan' in a hurry.