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A tuneful start

Soul music, countdowns and fresh notes

ALL SMILES Jon Bon Jovi

The Breakthrough

Mary J. Blige/Universal

Touted as the new Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin, this high priestess of R&B adorned soul music with new textures and flavours. Tough and beautiful at once, she served as the street icon for girls, when she hit the music street with her debut What's the 411? in 1992 — a mix of modern R&B with an edgy rap. Fourteen years later, the diva returns with her seventh album and with more melody. Guests on the album include Bono from U2 and The Game.

All the Hitz

Various /Universal

Year-end is definitely count down time. Bon Jovi came out with his smiley album Have A Nice Day while Akon and Black Eyed Peas made hip-hop sound oh-so-cool. Fresh Prince of Bell Air a.k.a Will Smith came back on the music scene as also Mariah Carey. But the year belonged to Pussycat Dolls who spiced up the music charts with a teaser thrown across the counter. Close on the heels of The Best of 2005, this is a second helping of 2005 hits. Lend an ear.

Sufi Splendour

Pathaney Khan/EMI

Pakistani singer Pathaney Khan is a sine qua non where Sufi music is concerned. Known for his Sufiana kaafis, he is said to have been a major influence on legends Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. This rare release in this part of the world brings some of Khan's well-known gems, in the traditional dialect that makes Sufi music distinct. A collector's album.

Mere Wajood and Other Super Hits

Various/EMI

This one is for all remix and Indipop aficionados. The title track derives its name from the Adnan Sami number from the OST of Page 3, this time remixed to a disco-tune. More alternative flicks, Jhankaar Beats and Rockford, turn up on the mixing board as also mainstream samples. Sparing none, this album has Fuzon, Shaan, Sanjay Maroo and Remo Fernandes in their beat heavy avatar. Nice one to start the New Year.

SYEDA FARIDA

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