February: A trip to Mumbai
Today sees the release of the second in my series of monthly mixes, my music podcast featuring a different mix every month. For February we're on a Bollywood trip, taking in ten of the best tracks that Mumbai's spectacular film industry has to offer. The pace is fast and the feel is part dodgy nightclub, part glamorous film set.
Dhoom:2 by Yash Raj Films.
The mix is called Risen, referring partly to the rise of modern India as one of the world's new superpowers.
As a European or American, it's good to be reminded occasionally that Bollywood produces more films than Hollywood (and makes more money).
Films in India are more overtly a cultural expression than in Europe and the States. Whole families go to the cinema to see their favourite stars, cheering the good guys and booing the bad guys, dancing in the ailes to the chart-topping tunes.
Risen also refers to the way the mix progresses from rough and dirty street music, through love songs and club tunes to flowering female vocals, finishing with the brilliant Aaj Ki Raat from Don (more recently featured in Slumdog Millionaire, where gangsters are shown watching Don on TV).
So this month's edition is a tribute to Bollywood, and also to Channel 4 for their recent Indian Winter feature. Those who caught the movie Dhoom:2 might recognize the track Dhoom Again in this month's mix.
Click through to the monthly mix for more, and remember to hit subscribe.
2 pictures 4 comments
Ash on 02 Feb 2010
Thanks Steve. Yeah those might be among my top picks too. Interestingly Sonu Nigam is involved in both (see google). Having listened to the tracks in the mix like, twenty or thirty times, I now have them on permanent rotation in my head :)
Carlo on 02 Feb 2010
I reserve the right to retract later, but I find your choice of music, disturbing... Still busy downloading (damn slow SA connection)
Also, really like the blog design; picture preview is cool.
Ash on 02 Feb 2010
Cheers Carlo. Let me know how you get on.
Yeah the tracks, like the films, are best not taken too seriously. But there's a lot to like. I especially like the melodies, which have a kind of unselfconcious energy about them.
Steve on 02 Feb 2010
Top tracks for me:
For Your Eyes Only - like the hypnotic dub kind of feel;
Aaj Ki Raat - slightly 'woody flavour with a great uplifting kind of vibe.
Looking forward to next month :).