Abhimaan (1973)

Music Direction: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh
Odeon/EMI

Side One
Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina
Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar
Meet Na Mila Re Man Ka
Kishore Kumar

Side Two
Teri Bindiya Re
Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi
Piya Bina Piya Bina
Lata Mangeshkar

http://www.mediafire.com/file/tjwugzmdzzz/Abhimaan.zip

Shikar (1968)

While I don't really have the interest or time to actually watch all these films, the plotline: a murder mystery in which the suspects are chased into a formidable jungle full of beasts, does sound like it might be worth it. However, after checking out this clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcu1D2vCfZ8) of the dance sequence set to the best hit on the album (Parde Men Rahne Do), I'm decidedly less intrigued. Definitely some Dionysian moments with the scarfwork, but in the end it's the tune's catchy orchestra lines and backing chorus that'll make you Shikar your ass off.

The majority of the Bollywood records I'll be posting feature all the permutations of the big guns of the playback world, namely: Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangashkar, Geeta Dutt, etc... But the nice thing about this record is that you get a good mix of three artists: Mohd. Rafi (the smoothest operator, ever.), Asha Bhosle, and Lata (elder sister of Asha). Apparently Asha Bhosle was known more as a B-movie singer, while her elder sister held the spotlight, but I think everyone will agree that pretty much kills it on Parde Men Rahne Do. Whatever.

Music direction: Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Angel Records

Side One
Shikar Karne Ko Aaye
Mohd. Rafi
Mai Albeli Pyar Jata Kar
Asha Bhosle

Side Two
Parde Men Rahne Do
Asha Bhosle & Chorus
Jabse Laagi Tose Najariya
Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle

From now on, I'm posting a zip file for the whole album. I don't know what I was thinking before.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/3ttzdgzjmom/Shikar.zip

Guide (1965)

Music direction: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Angel Records

Side One
Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai
Lata Mangashkar
Din Dhal Jaye
Mohd. Rafi

Side Two
Tere Mere Sapne
Mohd. Rafi
Wahan Kaun Hai Tera
S.D. Burman
All: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=1510bdc95667fbd9312dbd5f2bdc506245de55b83fab405216f8cf40558950b4

Purab aur Pachhim (1971)

This warm little record is scratched with some incredible sounds. Who thought that behind that big red pop Om would be a swinging, bell-clanging, devotional chorus and dreamy vocals. What continues to tickle my neck about old bollywood hits is their arrangements. Sometimes its the direct simplicity of rhythm and voice, sometimes its terrifyingly blown out, layered instruments and choruses. Raghupati Raghav spans that range from minimal to astro - from a legato resonant vocal with shifty flute, to a slow backbeat punctuated with slightly reverbed guitar lines. From jaunty, manly chants, shifting completely to melancholic and operetic! church music. Powerful song indeed. Om Jai Jagdish Hare seems to be a traditional Hindi devotional song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BPHl_120gw&feature=related) here crafted into a 1971 masterpiece.

note: best heard by blasting on small portable stereo

Side One
Om Jai Jagdish Hare -aarti
Mahendra Kapoor, Brij Bhushan, Shyama Chittar & Chorus
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tgwroz1wjiy/01 Om Jai Jagdish Hare -Aarti.mp3

Side Two
Raghupati Raghav - Ram Dhun
Mahendra Kapoor, Manhar & Chorus
http://www.mediafire.com/file/wgvw3nyjzwv/02 Raghupati Raghav - Ram Dhun.mp3

Amar, Akbar, Anthony (1977)

I'm too tired after struggling through the process of posting this first one, so I'm forgoing any information. Simply enjoy this one.


Music by: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Label: Polydor

Side A
Amar, Akbar, Anthony
by Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor, & Shailendra Singh
http://www.mediafire.com/?d3lnymzxfny

Side B
Taiyabali Pyar Ka Dushman
by Mohd. Rafi & Chorus
http://www.mediafire.com/?hjgnmumknwn

Dear private friends and public friends,

Grab your inhalers and Wal-Zyr, this must is wafting your way. I have recently returned from my first jaunt in India having acquired some very special possessions, not least of which are the 50 or so classical and Bollywood records that I hand-carried on planes from Hadji Ibrahim's shop in Mumbai to Oakland where I witnessed their defilement by a suspicious TSA employee (something to do with the composition of the vinyl...). These records are the main impetus behind the birth of this blog, but there may be some very special Pakistani and Afghani ghazal tapes coming through eventually. I will first post all the bollywood 45's followed by the classical LPs followed by tapes, or something like that.



Anyone interested in records who is going to India should have the pleasure of visiting Haji Ebrahim or his brother at their shop near Null Bazaar in Mumbai. Marked by golden gramophones and casually suspended vinyl discs rotating in the hot air, the small shop offers a selection of antique radios and audio devices in addition to 78's, 45's, and LP's. The brothers travel the subcontinent on collecting expeditions sometimes yielding a couple thousand records that are then painstakingly freighted back to Mumbai. The records are behind a desk so you must request or accept their knowledgeable and generous recommendations. Bring lots of rupees.

The must of this place that permeates all of the record sleeves is disguised by India's numerous "aromas," but back in the sterile USA, it rears it's true head. You know it's not from this time nor this place, and lends the records an added authenticity on top of the badass music already contained in them. So understand this: what you will hear from these posts are simply direct recordings of all this vinyl in its current, found state. If you want some clean mp3's, I'm sure that's out there too. For me this is really a documentation of artifacts of a physical nature. That is to say objects with a unique and delicate physical, historical, and cultural presence that fulfills all the senses. That is why I am also posting images of each piece's tattered cover. I will try to post as much relevant information that seems important. If anyone needs to add or amend something, feel free to contribute.

Thanks for reading. This blog will grow fast so check back often and listen up!