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.

Faith – George Michael

Midway through writing my next LP reviewfor this column, I read the shocking news of George Michael’s death and I decided to choose the album ‘Faith’ over what I was reviewing. It had to be done.

Twelve Songs of Christmas - Jim Reeves

Jim Reeves’ ‘Twelve Songs of Christmas’ is surely everyone’s favorite album at Christmas time. From the tiny tots to the oldies, Jim has got music to suit all, be it his peppy Jingle Bells, Senor Santa Claus or the Merry Christmas Polka.

Blue – Joni Mitchell

Because of the obvious reasons, my last two reviews were LPs from two of the finest singer-songwriters, Bob Dylan and the late Leonard Cohen. This time I have picked up an album by another giant from the same genre to complete the trilogy of sorts.

Songs from a Room – Leonard Cohen

Once, I was confined to a room for a few months, recovering from certain self-inflicted wounds. It was then that the Patron-Saint of modern poetry came and healed me with the balm of this album. Released in 1969, ‘Songs from a Room’ was Leonard Cohen’s second album, after the cracker debut of ‘Songs of Leonard Cohen’. Musically sparse and poetically rich, it is a worthy successor.