AUDIO SCAN
Jagjit’s Ganpati Moriya

Shri Ganesh (Times Music)

Of late, Jagjit Singh has been displaying an inclination to sing religious songs. That has been the natural progression shown by many gifted artistes in the past as well. Given his mellifluous voice, he elevates all bhajans to a never-before level, whether he sings in praise of Lord Rama or Krishna.

His latest offering is in praise of Ganesh, the Lord of successful beginnings and the destroyer of all obstacles. Most of these are well-known bhajans, which have been given a new meaning and veneer by his serene voice. He has composed five of them, while three have been composed by J. S. R. Madhukar.

The most stirring number is Vakratunda Mahakaya. Equally moving is Jai Ganesh Deva, where Jagjit’s voice exudes ecstasy in full measure.

Ganpatti Bappa Moriya and Jai Jai Ganpati Bhaktan bring spiritual fervour to a crescendo. The other bhajans too are suffused with spiritual imagery.

The album has apparently been released to coincide with the Ganpati season, but it has abiding value. In fact, some of the compositions are so haunting that the album can be called a collector’s item.

Recording and sound mixing have been handled deftly.

Super Singer Ravindra Upadhyay
(Times Music)

Most singers find a title for their album. It is only the rare few who name it after themselves.

If the title does not sound odd to you, Ravindra Upadhyay calling himself "super singer" might certainly get your goat. But don’t misunderstand his cheekiness. He has indeed been selected Samsung [V] Super Singer and that is what is mentioned in the title of his debut album. The Jaipur boy had pipped thousands of contestants to the post.

Even if you have been put off by his immodest claims, you have to give it to him that he has got a talented voice. His debut song Baanke Lal is already enjoying a good run.

The album also features original tracks from the other four finalists of Samsung [V] Super Singer contest, Nitasha Sharma, Nitin Srivastava, Asit Kumar Tripathy and Anu Arora. So there is everything from peppy dance tunes to pop and retro sounds.

The tracks have been composed by Himesh Reshammiya, Pritam, Sandeep Chowta, Sandesh Shandilya, Vishal and Shekhar, Midival Punditz, Dr Palash Sen and D J Bhaduri.

The lyricists are Sameer, Irshad Kamil, Abbas Tyrewala, Kumaar and Sandeep Nath. —ASC