Music Review (Hindi): Bombay Velvet

Music Review (Hindi): Bombay Velvet

Music Composer: Amit Trivedi

Amit Trivedi opens up his jazzy soundtrack in high with Aam Hindustani, and the track has nearly 3 minutes long prelude itself. Before Shevali Alvares confident vocals begins, Amit welcomed to his era using soothing clarinets followed by celebratory Jazzy elements thrown generously using trumpets. trombones and keys. Shefali is having great time crooning this number and particularly loved the 'hichki' sound in the middle.Amits ends the 9-minute long track again in the high with enough support from Shefali. Neeti Mohan opens her account in inebriated style with Mohabbat Buri Bimari (version 2) and initial prelude drums reminiscent of whiplash movie. This song has an accessible tune and level of the song is totally accentuated by spirited rendition of Neeti Mohan. Once again in the arrangements jazz flavours dominates with enough support from double bass and string sections. Mohabbat Buri Bumari (version 3) has everything from lyrics to arrangements kept intact as in version 2 except for coarse rendition by Shefali and she did equally good as Neeti Mohan. Mohabbat Buri Bimari's version 1 remixed by Mikey Mcleary and Shalmali Kholgade behind the mic. Shalmali's fangled rendition suits this song ver well and like her singing than the other two singers, however jazzy sound created by Mikey is a bit more jarry compared to rhythmic version of Amit.

Neeti Mohan got whooping five solo songs in the album and she shines in each one of them. Ka Kha Ga Gha (starting four alphabets in Hindi and Kudos to Amitabh Bhattacharya for filling this in beautiful way in lyric. Thanks Bollymeaning). is another engaging melody crooned with perfection by Neeti and Amit owns the song with splendid combination of brass ansd keys. Dhadaam Dhadaam seems to be melancholy while both Neeti and Amit brings the feel in singing and arrangements respectively. Strings, key sections and occassional clarinet solos complements the mood of the song. Amit played down the jazz elements minimal while rising the tempo towards the end. Naak Pe Gussa's Jazz elements sporadically rides high while Neeti's singing seems to be extension of Dhadaam Dhadaam. Amit brings back his boisterous play of trumpets and trombones in Sylvia. Once again Neeti rules the track with enough support from backing vocals towards the end. Occassional bongos amidst celebratory jazzy sounds is nice touch from the composer. Nethi Mohan ends her contribution to the album with Behroopia which is contemporary compared to other songs in the soundtrack.She gets ample support from another co-singer Mohit Chauhan and song is quite Amit Trived'ish although lovely melody from the composer. Trumpet rules the song in the arrangements. 

Shefali Alvares returns in the soundtrack with Shut Up and liked the peppy upbeat brass sections in the background than her rendition At some places her rendition goes overboard and ends in jarring note. Darbaan is the only solo track by male playback singer in the album and Papon delivers it well in engaging manner. Once again trumpet steals the show and minute long trumpet in the second interlude is brilliant. Bombay Velvet theme has nothing to offer for initial one and half minutes but the interplay between brass sections and guitars in the midway is awesome. Tommy gun reminds birdman soundtrack and it is appealing among the instrumental tracks. Conspiracy is also engaging enough especially for its sweeping string sections.

Verdict: Anurag Kashyap brings out best although confined only in jazz genre from Amit Trivedi after their stupendous album Dev D. Bombay Velvet is Amit's answer to Birdman/Whiplash.

My rating: 9.5/10

Pick of the Album: Mohabbat Buri Bhimari(version 2), Aam Hindustani, Ka Kha Ga Gha, Sylvia, Behroopia.