Recorded between 1956 & 1999. Includes liner notes by Ken Hunt.
Photographer: Santosh Sidhu.
From perhaps the most prolifically recorded artist in worldwide history comes the Rough Guide installment devoted to Asha Bhosle. Bhosle has some 20,000 recordings to her name, making a compilation of 16 a nearly impossible task. This compilation was culled from her full archives, with the help of Bhosle herself, as well as her son, so the songs work surprisingly well to represent the various facets of her work. The album opens with a song heavily informed by early rock & roll and swing jazz, a revolutionary sound for its time. It moves quickly through disco on its way to a pair of songs that are somewhat more standard in nature, showcasing the basic forms of film music and Hindustani classical at the same time. "Mera Kuchh Saaman" is a tour de force for her vocal ability, followed by a political work and a powerful chorus piece from the classic Mother India. A more experimental work follows, preceding some light classical, which itself is followed by a duet between Bhosle and her husband. A bit of a Hindu Marlene Dietrich number continues the stretch of innovations, followed by a shorter work that focuses on her ability to turn notes. The album finishes on a trio of classic Bollywood numbers, the final one including a duet with Mohammed Rafi. The full range of Bollywood sounds are represented here, all tied together under the banner of Bhosle's extensive work history. As such, it becomes an important album for those interested in the sound of the film factories of the subcontinent, as Bhosle's been there for nearly the full existence of the industry and usually at the forefront. Her vocals are outstanding, as one would expect, but the real treat for the listener is the chance to hear her ease in moving from one style to another and to be exposed to the full range of her abilities. Give it a listen as a veteran of the Bollywood recordings or as a newcomer -- it will serve well for either listener. ~ Adam Greenberg minimize