Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – AR Rahman

25 years ago, something lovely happened to this country. A person called AR Rahman through the music of Mani Ratnam’s movie, ‘Roja’, entered the nation’s musical subconscious. With songs like Roja Jaaneman, Dil Hai Chotta Sa and Yeh Haseen Waadiyan, he single-handedly and almost overnight, changed the landscape and grammar of popular music in India

21 – Adele

Three years after the release of her celebrated debut album 19, Adele returns quite in style with her sophomore set 21. The LP represents the personal and artistic growth of the Grammy-winning vocalist. Adele’s 2011 album to commemorate her turning 21 needs no introduction

Me and Mr. Johnson – Eric Clapton

One sold his soul to the devil, the other was giventhe status of God and the two came together in this album called, “Me and Mr. Johnson”. Robert Johnson has always been a guiding light for Eric Clapton, giving him some of his early hits like Ramblin’ on My Mind with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the powerhouse ‘Crossroads’ with Cream. But here,Claptondedicates the entire album to his master(sans the previously recorded material). Something which was long overdue.

Bitches Brew – Miles Davis

Miles Davis used to address great musicians as ‘bitches’ and he lined up 15 (yes, 15!!!) of the best in the industry, for this ambitious Double LP. His concept for the album was not to write out a chart with specific changes and form

It feels so good – Sonique (Single)

When DJ Sonique came on the scene with this track in the year 2000, it created a flutter in the Billboard charts. If you just heard the original version of her track, how about the remixes

Teesri Manzil – RD Burman / Majrooh

Dev Anand was supposed to star in this classic whodunit but because of certain differences with Nasir Husaain the producer, Dev walked out. In comes Shammi Kapoor. Shankar Jaikishan, Shammi Kapoor’s favourites were supposed to score for this Vijay Anand directed flick but Shammi listens to some compositions of SD Burman’s son, the new kid on the block, and loved them. In comes RD Burman. Rest, as they say, is history.

Marasim – Jagjit Singh & Gulzar

‘Marasim’ is an Urdu word which means ‘connections’ and that’s what the album does. It makes connections between memories and melody (its tagline is ‘Memories woven in melody’).

Forever and Ever – Demis Roussos

“Ever and ever forever you'll be the one / That shines in me like the morning sun. / Ever and ever forever and ever you'll be my spring, / My rainbow's end and the song I sing…..” lyrics from Demis Roussos song fills the room immediately.

Piano Man – Billy Joel

This sophomore effort gave Billy Joel the sobriquet ‘Piano Man’ for life. Troubled by the release of his debut album which was recorded at the wrong speed, Billy Joel was determined to get a taste of success.

Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

After the commercial disappointments (although they were critical successes) of the previous two albums, a scruffy 24 year old Bruce Springsteen desperately needed to make both a critical and commercial statement.