thiller 25
Michael Jackson
Sony BMG; Rs 399

The original was pure gold. This 25-anniversary-edition still nudges you onto the dance floor and it’s more than just nostalgia. Thriller 25 has seven bonus tracks, which include performances by guest artistes like will.i.am, Akon, Fergie and Kanye West. The album also includes the previously unreleased For All Time as well as an excerpt from the original Thriller voiceover sessions by Vincent Price.

The new offering includes Kanye West’s mix of Billy Jean, which is fairly competent. Fergie disappoints with Beat It. Among the newer versions, Akon’s Wanna Be Starting Something may not hold up to the original, but it does have a catchy dance-floor groove. The songs veer between electric energy and soft and beautiful romantic melodies in songs like Human Nature, For All Time and The Girl Is Mine.

The album comes in a two-disc special edition consisting of the audio CD as well as a DVD that consists of digitally-mastered and restored videos of Billy Jean, Beat It, Thriller as well as the legendary performance of Billy Jean where Jackson first performed the moonwalk.

This is an album that still spins its magic 25 years later without being dated.

DK

boondh
Jal
Tips Music; Rs 150

This Pakistani band’s second offering Boondh — A Drop of Jal proves that these guys can’t be written off as one-hit wonders, despite the absence of singer Atif Aslam. The album combines soft rock with lyrical ballads. Comprising Goher Mumtaz, bassist Aamir Sheraz and a new vocalist Farhan Saeed Butt with a classical-edged contemporary vibe.

Boondh has 12 tracks that range from the soft and romantic Payal to the energetic Main mustt hoon with a snappy beat and Sufi undertones. The power ballad Sajni is one of the highlights with its melodic groove, mellow acoustics and soulful vocals by Farhan Saeed. The slower version is a reprise with a single bass and piano and digitally-distorted choruses. Goher Mumtaz’s throaty rendition of Humain itna pyaar is a love song also delivered in a slower version.

With lyrics you can sing along to, strong guitar riffs and well-synchronised harmonies, Boondh delivers pleasant and easy listening.

Pranali
Various artistes
Harward Music; Rs 99

You may think twice before purchasing a ticket for the film, but the music of Pranali may make it into your shopping basket. Marking the film debut of the Kailasa team Paresh and Naresh Kamath and singer Kailash Kher, Pranali is not as traditional as the name suggests.

The pick is the opening track Sakhiyaan. Sung by a host of power-packed voices — Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mahalaxmi and Richa Sharma — it does sound similar to Rahman’s Barso re from Guru, but retains its originality. Sach na batana is vintage Kailash Kher. Udit Narayan pitches in with his own version of Sach na batana, lending it tenderness and melancholy. However, the remixed version by Kailash Kher doesn’t hit the spot. Calcutta singer Madhushri’s Bikhar gayee is another soulful track.

The album ends with Tandav, composed and sung by Pt Birju Maharaj, fusing energy with melody in its fiesty two minutes.

Priyanka Roy