Shalimar

Shit like this on the list is both refreshing and infuriating. Refreshing because it is good, fun, interesting, and also not something I would regularly be exposed to! It's why I started this project and keeps me coming back. It's infuriating because the fact that it is included here means that Robert Dimery, the original author of the 1001 albums list is aware that music like this exists. He's clearly aware that there is an entire world of music out there. SO WHY HAVE I LISTENED TO 200 80s BRITISH NEW WAVE ALBUMS AND 200 SCOTTISH ROCK ALBUMS FROM THE 90S??!!?

I did like this album, but I wonder how familiar the author of 1001 albums is with Indian music and whether they would have selected this movie soundtrack if they had the same breadth of familiarity that they obviously have with american & english music.

This was a funky listen! Also, indicative of how much of an afterthought world music is to this list. The original entry was "Shalimar/College Girl" because the list author had a bootleg album that threw two unrelated soundtracks together! 😆 "College Girl" is also worth checking out. The track "College Girl 'I Love You'" lifts a chunk of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" which is fun, and "Everybody Dance With Me" uses the riff from Iron Butterfly's "In A Gadda Da Vita"... Fave track (on Shalimar) - "Countess Caper (Music)" - loved that Bollywood spaghetti western vibe! The opening track "Title Music" was also very atmospheric...

I don’t think I need to listen to anymore albums after this one. Shut ‘er down boys, we’re done.

Guessing the plot to this film, I’ll go - A police constable is on a holiday cruise, stopping over in India somewhere, he’s not adverse to other cultures, such as dancing the cha-cha-cha early in the film but does see himself above it. Gets himself embroiled in a local crime of passion falling for the daughter of the victim as they have to combat someone bringing back colonialism to the region. They succeed, but he has to go back to his life and they share an emotional farewell on the docks as he boards. As she cries and waves him off, he comes up Behind her, choosing to stay. It’s never explained how he got of the boat. They embrace. Credits roll.

This was pretty fun to listen to but really just in a kitschy way. It's not very good.

"Shalimar" is a movie soundtrack composed by legendary Indian music director and actor Rahul Dev (R. D.) Burman. The movie "Shalimar" is a 1978 bi-lingual Bollywood film. The soundtrack album opens with "Title Music." Drums and an Indian melody that you hear when a guy is dealing with a cobra. There's horns both like in a big band and jazzy. Wow, this goes all over the place. I think a harbinger of things to come. "One Two Cha Cha Cha" starts out with 60's sounding music and a synth background which quickly goes to the Cuban cha cha. Horns are added. The songs ends with a sitar on top of a Carribbean beat. This is fun. "Dialogue Tum Ek/ Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay (I)" starts out with movie dialogue and people chanting. Kishore Kumar takes lead vocals with a soaring, romantic delivery. Backing chanting vocals and a rhythm with a more African style. Layered strings on top of it all. "Mera Pyar Shalimar" is a ballad sung by Asha Bhoule. Bass, strings, a carribean beat. The melody is aided by what sounds like a harp and is probably a veena. A flute. Very dramatic and probably a key point of the film. "Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay (II)" closes the album. More laidback than Part I with Usha Uthup on lead vocals. A gentle way to end with strings. I think the movie had a happy ending. This was a great experience. I had no idea what to expect. I thought soundtracks were not part of this challenge unless entirely by one band; I'm glad this one got in. This album should be the poster child for not boring. A lot going on. A lot of songs are busy and changes styles. Carribean, baroque, Indian, 50/60's pop, jazz, polka, Spanish, Cuban, African (and I'm missing a few I know). I might need to watch this movie. An album to pick up if you see and definitely listen to.

LET´S DO CHAHACHABURU

Burman is like the John Williams or Hans Zimmer of Bollywood: he’s iconic and he’s the master of composing for film. I’ve heard a lot of his work together with Asha Bhosle, but never this soundtrack. I hadn’t heard of Shalimar, but a Bollywood movie starring Rex Harrison seems super interesting. The title credits music has a James Bond-esque feel to it (not so much as the vocal Bond main themes, but the “James Bond Theme”, “007 Theme”, or the “Suspense Motif” by Monty Norman, John Barry, and David Arnold, respectively). The rest of the songs follow some excellent Bollywood dance numbers interspersed with great suspenseful film music and (what I assume are) leitmotifs. I’m really glad this album was included in the 1001. This was new to me and this is not the type of music I’ve come to expect from the book.

Interesting, I don't think I'd listen to it again but I enjoyed it.

this is why the queen was so keen to keep hold of the commonwealth, she was bang in to this stuff. i on the other hand am not bang in to this.

what the fuck

Really good as far as movie soundtracks go!

This is offensive and this album should NOT be on the list!!! We're music critics goddamnit! You think this is a game...?! It is NOT a game! Ok. Now that we've gotten that out of the way this is a straight five. It's way too much fun for this list and that's what I like about it. Way cool, and way fun in a retro old-world sense. It invokes otherworldly nostalgia that give me curiosity wiggles. It's just awesome. And yes, I'd totally listen to this again. Oh! Let's get this Shalimar thing on the big screen!

This absolutely slapped

I'll take a lot more where that came from. What a bright spot! It seems to have an optimism that might have been more common a decade earlier, combined with that wonderful Indian sound that brings me right back to Jaipur.

It's nothing something I would listen to over and over again, but that is just because of my own cultural and generation biases.

Some of this is pretty interesting, particularly the weird funky tracks, and the album gets better in the back half - especially on Romantic Theme and Baby Let’s Dance Together, but overall I had a hard time staying interested in what Shalimar had to offer.

R. D. Burman is a behemoth of a workhorse within the Bollywood industry. Between his start in 1966 to his final film in 1987 (a mere 7 years before his death), Burman would have release 331 film scores. Shalimar is just one piece of his long legacy. Almost coming full circle, the characteristics of South Asian music that influenced psychedelic music are now giving a psychedelic edge to this soundtrack. Shalimar was apparently slated for crossover appeal to America, allowing Bollywood to break out and garner worldwide success. Too bad it was anything but. Given the 70's track record of soundtracks tinged with psychedelia (see: Shaft in 1971, Superfly in 1972), it makes sense for this soundtrack to follow relatively close behind. As far as soundtracks go, this one is fine. I don't know much about Bollywood nor do I find it particularly captivating, so the appeal of this soundtrack is sadly limiting.

i literally could only listen to two songs but they were nice !!!!!

While I still appreciate getting albums like this, this is the first one I didn't enjoy very much. The last few songs were pretty good but the rest were more annoying than anything.

I can't stand Indian music to begin with and this doesn't help. Christ almighty what a tough listen. WTF is what the Yoko Ono-esque screeching? 2/10.

Oh my. Again, not sure WHY such a poorly recorded collection of songs from a 1978 Bollywood OST must be heard before someone dies. Not that the composition or effort in writing each song is bad, but good lord, the worst of my CDs I would get from a 1994 Columbia House or BMG subscription seem to best this. This seems like a box-check on a diversity and inclusion requirement.

There are better examples of Bollywood music than this surely? It's so stylised and anglicised I find it awkward. To add to all this I thought we weren't allowed 'Various Artist' albums. Never mind.

j'adore, très riche musicalement

The grooves are slick and irresistible. And the singers involved are all incredible in their own ways. Who knows a soundtrack of a Bollywood film from the '70s could slap so hard? Unique, refreshing, and fun experience.

Now for something completely different, and that is a good thing. I appreciate the exposure to new works. Is this the end of our list????

Fantastic album. The kind of music I signed up for when I downloaded the app. Nothing I would have sought or listened to on my own but so fun and good and clocking in under 60 minutes. Spaghetti westerns, bollywood sounds

All I knew before is that Shalimar was the name of my grandmother's favorite perfume. Apparently this is my last album in the project. I'm so happy that it was something different from the usual themes and it felt like a wonderful discovery on my last day listening to assigned music. What a great variety of sounds and styles! I think I'm going to have to watch this movie. Goodnight, everybody!

This is an amazing soundtrack. I'd say as a soundtrack for a movie it's almost perfect. Shalimar did a great job of mixing Western music norms with Indian ones and the result was excellent!

This was a better album than I was expecting romantic theme is a great song

Excellent soundtrack, excellent album!!! One two cha cha cha is an absolute banger which I already listen to on the reg! Excellent dinner party music and all round good times! Fun to listen to the soundtrack, I haven't seen the film but I really love a bit of Bollywood. So much talent packed in there, interesting and fun sounds. This kind of music always puts me in a great mood and also the automatic next track from Spotify was another banger so that's great too.

What a true delight. I loved how funky it was. I loved how sloppy it was. I loved how shrill it was. I loved it!

Locura total de banda sonora setentera bollywoodense. Salta del jazz al funk de guitarras wawa, del italowestern de trompetas y cítaras al chachachá, del folk hindú al easylistening. Entretenido y muy bonito. Sorpresa total

Well, all right. I really hope this actually is our last album because this is right where I want it to end. Fun and 70s and new to me. That's the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it! Thank you so much, Alexander!

This project has been 1089 straight days of listening to an album a day. It’s become such a part of my life that it was hard not to dream about what the final album on this incredible journey might be. Reviewing yesterday’s Pavement album, one of my associates listed a bunch of deserving artists who have not appeared on this list which only added to my anticipation. What will it be? Something that will make me scream in agony - more Elvis Costello anyone? Someone underrated I was hoping to see like the Pointer Sisters? Or maybe something in-between - a Britpop band from the early 90s I’ve never heard of for a real “meh” finale? When I saw the cover of this Bollywood soundtrack from the 70s show up it was completely unexpected - beyond my expectations of the unexpected - unexpectedly unexpected! Will this be a satisfying way to conclude this project? The title track sounded like a funky 70s police drama set in India. Groovy, exotic, I’m digging this. Ok… ok… Hmmmm… this is up my alley… A wackadoo sitar-infused cha cha cha song is up next… ONE TWO CHA CHA CHA… and then… “That’s the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it.” A KC and the Sunshine Band callout!? Didn’t see that coming… I transferred listening to my headphones for a visit to the grocery store as Hum Bewafa Harris Na Thay ended with “Whirrrr Whirrrr CH CH CH CH CH”. Don’t know what is happening and don’t much care because I’m grinning from ear to ear! Countess’ Caper came on and suddenly I’m in a 70s spy thriller slinking my way through the produce aisle until spotted - resulting in a mad dash through the store. At least that’s what my soundtrack was telling me. Naag Devta is a fantastic tune... and Baby Let’s Dance Together was pure 70s bliss. The closing track brought it all home as I could see the credits roll to the La la la la la la la la la la las and Hmmm Hmmmm Hmmm Hmmmmm Hmmmmmmms. As I listen to this album a second time I think it is a really fitting and suitable end to this list. It’s a lot of strange and nostalgic fun that managed to surprise and delight me even after so many other albums. Somehow it seems like a perfect end to this project. Terrific!

This is why I'm here

Better than every Bond soundtrack by a mile.

Sample heaven. Desperately want to see this film. This was a great soundtrack. Some real bangers. Naag Devta is rad. This whole album is rad af. Funky, jazzy Indian disco. Wish there was more like this on this list.

Id listen to this movie all day

loved!

françois de roubaix vibes shalimar one two cha cha cha countess' caper naag devta aaina wohl rehta hai romantic theme mera pyar shalimar

Beautiful soundtrack!

This album blew me away! Was not expecting it. Very layered and textured with some great vocal performances. Lots of various instrumentation and cool time changes

this is awesome even if tracking it down was confusing

Crazy but I’m totally into this. I’d have never thought I’d enjoy it so much. I’d definitely listen to this again.

Excellent! Never heard it before and now in the heavy rotation list!

Did not understand a word in this album yet it was still soo beautiful.

Swag

I personally prefer the instrumentals but it’s awesome that this is here at all. Go watch Kal Ho Naa Ho

Hat ein paar Bangers

Banger 💥

This was fun Bollywood action, let’s watch this movie

I’m glad this album was included but it really draws attention to the fact that Indian music is not well represented on this list. The album itself clearly has taken its direction from western music and has a bit of a classic 60s movie soundtrack sound with some really lovely Bollywood and Indian Classical motifs front and center. I wish I knew enough to really be able to understand this better.

One Two Cha Cha Cha has a line of "That's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it, uh huh uh huh". I had to check the tape and that song came out a few years before this so super cool to hear them call that out. What a fun album. I'd take 1001 of these soundtracks over so much we have gotten. More bollywood soundtracks!

A little more "old cinema" sound than I would have liked, but a fabulous soundtrack nevertheless.

I'd never even heard of this. Bollywood/hippy/funk. Lush orchestration, even a hint of mariachi. I like it!

As much as I enjoy getting familiar classics through this platform, it’s always refreshing to get an album that can expand my musical knowledge beyond just the US and the UK. I was unfamiliar with the movie coming into this listen, but the Bollywood now-cult-classic Shalimar features a soundtrack that samples across a range of styles and a range of emotions. “Aaina Wohi Rehta Hai” is at times relaxing and at times chaotic, while “Mera Pyar Shalimar” is downright hypnotizing. “Countless Caper” seems to draw influence from around the world while staying true to its Indian roots. I find it interesting that the English version of Salimar is called Raiders of the Sacred Stone. The film preceded the first Indiana Jones installment by a few years, but it’s almost comical how easy it is to name a movie to appeal to an English-speaking (and particularly an American) audience. I can’t say I would’ve found this album without this platform; I’ll go out on a limb and say I learned more than I would have from another David Bowie record.

Not sure I really needed to listen to this before I die, however unexpected treasures are in the spirit of this thing and I’m here for it. It’s a fun listen to the soundtrack of India’s most expensive movie which stars Rex Harrison. Today I Learned lol

that was actually surprisingly impressive I’m not a big fan of indian music (or bollywood movies) but this actually had some really nice production overall I can overlook the parts of the album I found annoying for the quality of the overall music - 8/10

Liked the cha cha cha song alot!

Absolute joy. How does it rate in the grand scheme of things? No idea. But loved it!

Never would have found this on my own. But it was actually really good. A most pleasant surprise.

Bollywood is always entertaining and this one does not disappoint.

Really enjoyed it. Didn’t realize it would be so funky

When this record came up, I prejudged it as another Ravi Shankar-esque album before even hearing the first note... and then I forgot about it. Going back to see the albums I missed I put this one and whoa... it's wonderfully eclectic and awesome. It's a mix of Morricone-esque numbers, with Indian instruments, quite a lot of good tongue in cheek, some bossa nova - it's a delight from start to finish. Looking back I feel like an ass for missing out on this.

Che spasso! Mi sono proprio divertita, una ventata d'aria fresca.

This one was enjoyable! I did not expect to see a Bollywood motion picture soundtrack on the list, but I'm glad it was. Best track: # 4 - Countess' Caper

Músicas muito boas, porém parece ser de um filme, queria ver em seu contexto

I thought I wasn't going to like this, but the energy sold me. I couldn't get over how vibrant and melodic this was, even if the vocals were sometimes "not my style".

Gros son Bollywood, un mélange de tellement de truc. Ca me fait vraiment penser à ce genre de film, cette ambiance. C'était vraiment pas mauvais. J'ai de la mis`re a voir un peu a quoi ressemble le film mais la soundtrack me donne le vibe de Caire nid d'espion et me met en plein dans les années 70. 3.95

This one was a pretty fun listen. Actually lots of interesting things happening here. 4/5

Glad there is international music on here. It was fun music with a blend of indian and western styles.

Funk, jazz, cabaret, salsa, spaghetti westerns, all filtered through a Bollywood prism, and served up with no compromises. We NEED more Indian music on this list. 4 masala chutneys out of 5

Great!

The worst part of this album is at the very last note of the last song because then it’s back to Brit pop. Extremely well produced blend of modern and folk Indian sound. Enjoyable, catchy and interesting.

In the book this is two albums

Never heard this before, but I enjoyed it. Not really a genre I'm awfully familiar with, although I'm a deep Cornershop fan as there are rhythms and so on from them that resonate here.

quite interesting and I have not really expected this 7/10

I couldn't find this album anywhere.

i watched many a bollywood movie in my youth, but not this one! so i went into this with high hopes, bias, and more bollywood knowledge than most people have. this album has a pure seventies bollywood vibe! i have fallen in love with the romantic theme, but the other instrumentals are just as good. this album really jumps around in genres, and it can get corny at times with the sampling of english songs, but that's what adds to this soundtrack's charm. a fun, joyous listen. it doesn't have to be taken seriously.

Love this one! Lots of different tones and sounds

One two cha cha cha is catchier than....something very catchy. Why it's not appeared on any of those loungecore kitsch classics as it's better than almost all the tracks that do. An interpolation of That's The Way Ah-Hah is also genius. The rest of the album can't quite live up to this twisted magic, which shows George Harrison how to really blend Indian and western pop. But what this list is also all about. Tons of fun. 3.75 so I'll upgrade to a 4.

Ascending a mountain as the sun set behind me while these enchanting songs from faraway lands soundtracked my journey had me feeling like a proper Bollywood hero.

first listen a real mix of western and italian film music influences here, the brass and strings are nice and bright

A Bollywood soundtrack that reminds me of the "Shaft" soundtrack. Lightly funky, but with a lot more Indian flair. I like it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Title Theme", "Naag Devta"

Nice surprise, you can feel the influences of Isaach Hayes and John Williams.

Ich bin ein bisschen überrascht, dass ichs so mochte.

Very interesting fusion on some of the songs, and some just generally fun ones.

Very much enjoyed this. Not sure how to categorise it as it is very varied. ‘World music’ is the nice copout that I’ll use, and probably the most apt as some songs sounded South American, others Asian, with a little bit of funk thrown in. There were a few songs that passed me by which is expected given it was a soundtrack for a film. I’ll be back to this I reckon, even if just for the two first tracks and track 4 which were absolute belters

Pretty crazy, out of left field for this list. A real mix of sounds and influences. I don't know much about Bollywood soundtracks, or where this example sits, however I really enjoyed it!

I love some Bollywood movies over the years. I hadn’t seen this one yet but will after listening to this soundtrack. I skipped the dialogue track. Loved “One Two Cha Cha Cha”.

good indian is good

Who would have thought that I would be listening to a Bollywood movie soundtrack? Very cool to be able to experience that. The music itself was interesting. I wouldn’t listen to it regularly, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I really had low expectations going into this album, but a couple of songs in, I was already hooked. The instrumentals are just out of this world and very unique, which I suppose makes sense since this was a movie. Wish I could have understood what was being sung, but it was entertaining even though I couldn't.

A pretty interesting mix of 60s pop, 70s soundtrack, and Indian classical. A fun listen.

I had a lot of fun listening to this. There is a great, pulpy feel to it

Really cool instruments and groovy vibe. Never have heard of this before, but iti was really good.

Admittedly I am not that familiar with Bollywood music but I really enjoyed that. It had a depth tk it I wasn't expecting

This was fun, like finding the soundtrack for a lost Tarantino Bollywood film.