The tracks are heavily influenced by 'Western' popular music of the time, from the swinging '60s to Rock 'n Roll to Funk, but throughout, is the distinct South Asian musical influence—whether it's the vocals of the Indian Elvis Kishore Kumar or the unmistakable sounds of those Bollywood orchestral violin pieces. What makes this compilation so special is that it echeos an attitude and style of Indian cinema and popular culture that is just not found in today's Bollywood. This is Bollywood filmi, hip thrusting, breast pulsating at its best. In fact I was surprised at just how funky Bollywood music was during this era.
This compilation also truly showcases the very far-reaching global musical influences of Bollywood film music, something which the industry still appears to try to do today but without the same affect. Influences from various countries find their way into each track while tunes from here continue to have effects on current music. There's a decidedly fantastic Russian influence in Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey's "1956, 1957, 1958" from the film Anari while the compilation's opener, "Mera Naam Hai Shabnam," is a fine tongue-in-check naughty track that's been used recently in blackMahal's fabulous "Save The Flavour." The cross-culturalization is wonderful and inspiring, as I'm more curious now to watch these films if only to help place the countries!
Read More
