Ami Sangre Juanes Universal; CD Rs 395

Move aside Shakira and Ricky Martin; this giant Columbian phenomenon is the voice and soul of the Latin world. Eyes speaking with scorching honesty on the inlay cover itself, Juanes makes melody of almost-esoteric love, patriotism and peace; seemingly prosaic, yet ancient in these ‘soda-babe-booty’ times. Following the hugely acclaimed Uijates bien (listen closely) and Un dia normal (one normal day), Mi sangre (my blood) has delicate beauties like Para tu amor, Rosario Tijeras, Volverte a ver, alongside the wicked La camisa negra and Damelo, apart from bonus tracks with Nelly Furtado and Will.i.am. (The Black Eyed Peas). His malt voice and amazing guitaring transverses language barriers and even to fresh ears, entices with a rare, bouncing harmony.

Madhumita Das

Door Akashe Various Prime Music; Rs 42

Adhunik Bangla Gaan has had its heydays in the 60s and 70s with stalwarts like Salil Choudhury, Utpala Sen, Sandhya Mukherjee, Manna Dey and others making a lasting impression in the Bengali consciousness. This collection of modern Bengali songs written by Amiya Kanti Bhowmick and set to tune by Subhashish-Anirban is at best mediocre. With pretty ordinary lyrics and mundane music, artistes Indrani Sen, Monomoy and Sampa Kundu put in a modest effort.

Ghum bhangano chaand Nupurchhanda Ghosh Prime Music; Rs 45

A delightful collection of Atulprasad, Rajanikanta’s songs and Dwijendrageeti, Ghum Bhangano Chaand is a mix of devotional and love songs rendered well by Nupurchhanda Ghosh. The songs, Ke abar bajaye banshi, Aar kato kal thakbo boshe, are sung in the kirtan style with kartal as accompaniment. The last two, Kar lagi sajal ankhi and Jabo na jabo na ghare, both Atulprasad lyrics, call for special commendation. Rajanikanta’s Jagao pathike and Keu nayan mude dyakhe alo are both celebrated songs that Ghosh has done well to choose. The lone Dwijendrageeti, Tumi je he praner bondhu, is a good semi-classical number.

Khola Hawaye Anasua Chowdhury Prime Music; Rs 45

Although the Visva-Bharati copyright on Tagore’s works is over, Anasua Chowdhury hasn’t really deviated from the norm, but has experimented ever so slightly with the background score in two of the numbers. In Tomar khola hawa there is a two-second additional background voice. And more daringly in the popular Tagore song Tora je ja bolish bhai, the background score is much improvised. Whether it’s good or bad, is of course subject to voluminous debate. But she does justice to Tagore particularly in Sakal janam bhore.

Anasuya Basu

Moner Janala Surya Bhattacharya Accord; Rs 38

The album showcases eight numbers by Surya Bhattacharya, all of which are composed by Surya himself with music by Bablu Chakraborty. Love is the theme explored and Surya tries to cover a wide gamut of love emotions. Surya has a fluid voice quality, emulating Manna Dey’s gayaki. Writing lyrics does not quite seem to be Surya’s forte, though Bhore Surya hoye has some poetic charge.

Ichchhe Soumya Basu and Anjana Mukherjee Prime Music; Rs 42

The songs here cater to varied tastes. Even the lyrics are a mixed bag with generous sprinkling of Hindi and English. Both Soumya and Anjana are competent singers, though Anjana gets much less exposure here. The numbers on Side B are more pleasing and Ichchhe and Bristi (both written by Soumya) stand out.

Arnab Bhattacharya

Tai brishtike niye aachi Jayeeta Bhowmick P&M Records; CD Rs 125

For those whom the rain inspires feelings of love, longing and poetry, and leaves in a wistful mood for the aroma of “kora coffee” and “payer tolai bheja ghaas”, this collection of 12 Tagore songs by Jayeeta Bhowmick, with poetry by Amit Ranjan Biswas and recitation by Sreela Majumder is just the perfect grab. The album is exactly what its name suggests it to be. A celebration of the different moods that the rain inspires, both joyous and painful, well evoked by Bhowmick. And the poems, inserted after each song, serve to enhance the mood immensely. And one is left hoping that the poem which promises that Aei kobitar k sheshe thik brishti hobe really works!

Deepali Singh