By Ruchika Kher
Film: “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai”; Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty; Lyricists: Amitabh Bhattacharya, Neelesh Misra and Irshad Kamil; Singers: Mika Singh, KK, Dominique Cerejo, Karthik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mohit Chauhan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Tulsi Kumar; Rating:***

Composer Pritam Chakraborty usually generates interest with his new albums and he has succeeded in doing so with his latest offering, “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai”. The music of this crime thriller has its moments and most of the songs are hummable.

The album boasts of nine tracks.

It starts with the melodious, soft love ballad “Pee loon” in the voice of Mohit Chauhan. The song has touches of Sufi and is quite likeable. The song gives a good start to the soundtrack and is a winner all the way.

The song also arrives in a remix version.

It is followed by another appealing composition “Tum jo aaye”. Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Tulsi Kumar, it has elements of qawwali. The soothing number strikes a chord with the listener.

The song also has a reprise version attached, which is a solo Rahat Fateh Ali Khan version. Even though the original is promising, the reprise version takes the cake.

Then comes “Parda”, a song that is a mix of two of R.D Burman’s greatest hits and few original lyrics. Sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Rana Mazumder, the song has influences of “Monica oh my darling” and “Duniya mein” and brings in the true retro feel.

While the basic essence of the old songs is kept intact, Pritam brings in a new flavour by doing his own bit. After a long time one gets to hear a cabaret number album in a movie album.

Up next is “I am in love”, a soft, pleasing, romantic track with KK and Domnique Cerejo behind the mike. “I am in love” shows potential with its melodious music and is good to hear in loop. It is a song that will appeal to the younger generation more.

It has two more versions - dance and duet.

Finally, there is “Babu Rao mast hai”. Sung by Mika, it is an edgy and mischievous song about a certain Babu Rao, who is believed to be an important character in the film. The song is average and musically not that appealing.

On the whole, the album impresses and will appeal to music lovers.

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at ruchika.k@ians.in)