Kalyanji Anandji/Biddu: What A Wonder… Feroz Khan's Qurbani In English (1980)

I've never been able to find out whose idea it was to make an English language version of the 'Qurbani' soundtrack, nor the reason for it. Biddu's involvement might have played a part; one can imagine Polydor wanting to capitalize on his reputation and fame in English speaking countries (primarily the UK) by releasing an 'international' version. But if that was the case, it's slightly odd that this album only came out in India, and not in Europe. I don't know, maybe it was a potentially good idea that simply didn't go as planned... to my knowledge it wasn't attempted again.

I've heard people say that 'What A Wonder' is superior to the Hindi original. Perhaps that's just down to personal taste, or a language thing, but for me it's a valid claim. Several tracks make more sense to me here than they originally did. 'Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face' is a different mix from the soundtrack version and consequently funkier and better, and Sharon Prabhakar's voice has a lovely English folk-singer-like quality which lends itself beautifully to 'Let's Do It' and 'If I Were Prince Charming'. But on the other hand, the film's biggest hit doesn't translate well. 'Aap Jaisa Koi', as sung by Nazia Hassan, was perfect bubblegum disco; the English versions aren't very convincing.

Play the two albums back to back and decide for yourselves.

Track listing:
1. Sharon Prabhakar: What A Wonder It Will Be (Aap Jaisi Koi)
2. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face (Hum Tumhe Chahte Hain Aise)
3. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It (Qurbani, Qurbani, Qurbani)
4. Sharon Prabhakar & Bashir Sheikh: If You Were Prince Charming (Kya Dekhte Ho)
5. Sharon Prabhakar & Bashir Sheikh: Don't Ever Leave Me (Laila O Laila)
6. Bashir Sheikh: What A Wonder It Will Be (Baat Ban Jaye)

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Biddu: Star (1982)

The first time I saw Biddu's name on a Bollywood soundtrack, I was somewhat surprised. I had been totally unaware of his career other than that as a very successful UK pop producer; to me he was primarily the man behind Tina Charles, whose 'I Love To Love' was one of the first songs able to entice my younger self onto a school disco dance floor. I don't think I even knew he was Indian. And until coming across 'Qurbani', I had no idea who Nazia Hassan was.

Biddu's contributions to that score introduced the vocal talents of the then 15 year-old Nazia; her subsequent debut album 'Disco Deewane' and its hit single made her a megastar in large parts of the world, if not my own. It's a wonderful disco/pop record, and features that unmistakable 'Biddu sound' I loved (still do) on those old Tina Charles hits. The soundtrack to 'Star' [review] was effectively her second album; this time she shared the limelight with her brother Zoheb who had guested on the first. It's possibly not quite as good as it's predecessor, but contains at least a handful of worthwhile songs. 'Dheere Dheere', 'Koi Nahin' and the title track are again quintessentially Biddu; 'Boom Boom' (the movie's big hit I believe) is the same but with a Giorgio Moroder-esque electro-groove; 'Ooie-Ooie' is catchy as hell but has too much of a Village People/YMCA thing going for my liking; and finally 'Khushi', my all-time favourite Nazia Hassan song – stunningly beautiful and very danceable. Typically, I couldn't find the film clip of that on YouTube, but here's one of her performing it live (playback actually), to a curiously polite audience.

To be honest I haven't really looked much into Biddu's film work beyond this, because the second time I saw his name on a Bollywood soundtrack, I was quite put off. He does have a fascinating history though, which can be further explored in the fantastic Your Heart Out blog's latest chapter in an ongoing series on disco music around the globe.

Track listing:
1. Zoheb Hassan: Star
2. Nazia Hassan: Boom Boom
3. Nazia & Zoheb Hassan: Jaana
4. Nazia Hassan: Khushi
5. Zoheb Hassan: Ooie-Ooie
6. Zoheb Hassan: Dheere Dheere
7. Nazia Hassan: Koi Nahin
8. Zoheb Hassan: Zindagi
9. Zoheb Hassan: Muskuraye Ja

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Biddu/Rajesh Bhatt/Binjoo Ali: Goonj (1989)

I bought 'Goonj' on the back of the previous one... based on some ridiculous notion of winning streaks; that I'd lucked out with one late 80s disco album so here might be another. Which of course is utter bollocks.

As is this soundtrack. Once upon a time, Biddu produced 'Kung Fu Fighting' and wrote a couple of Tina Charles hits. Subsequently he co-scored 'Qurbani' with Kalyanji Anandji. It probably all went down hill from there. (The other fellas I have no idea who are. Don't think I'll bother finding out.)

Sterile, pappy pop, and disco as bad as it gets; devoid of anything much resembling funk or groove - it doesn't even make you wanna dance. To boot, 'Love Technology' includes one of the worst raps you'll ever hear.

(And to add insult to injury, they throw a few of the songs at you twice...)

Anyone curious?

The only way is up from here.

Track listing:
1. Binjoo Ali & Hema Sardesai: Sama Ye Suhana
2. Binjoo Ali, Hema Sardesai & Abhijeet: Jawani Ke Din Hai
3. Manna Dey: Jo Goonje Wohi Dilki Awaz
4. Electra & Biddu: Love Technology
5. Binjoo Ali & Abhijeet: Soota Lagao Yaaron
6. Electra & Biddu: Love Technology
7. Binjoo Ali & Hema Sardesai: Sama Ye Suhana

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Kalyanji Anandji/Biddu: Qurbani (1979)

It took me a while to get into 'Qurbani', it's just sooo cheesy. But in a good way I finally decided. Its claim to fame is usually the infuriatingly infectious dancefloor number 'Aap Jaisa Koi', written by Biddu. If you find it reminiscent of the old Tina Charles nugget 'Dance Little Lady', it's because he was the guy behind it. (He also made 'Kung Fu Fighting'.) There's more though: 'Laila O Laila' is Hindi disco, traditional at root but driven by bass, electronic drums and tablas. And 'Hum Tuhme Chahte Hain', which I find rather charming with the tinny synth bits here and there.

Do have a peek at the YouTube videos btw, all featuring the lovely Zeenat Aman.

A couple of things I need to add about this one: Firstly, the 'Bollywood Funk' compilation from some years back has a great instrumental on it entitled 'Qurbani'; while it is from the film, it's not included on the LP (though possibly on some super rare triple-album version that I've heard rumours about but never seen). Secondly, there was also an English version, called 'Qurbani In English' (what else?). Some say it's better than the Indian; I wouldn't know as I've never heard it (but would obviously love to, should any of you happen to have it lying around).

[Update: 'Qurbani In English' now available here]

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar, Anwar & Aziz Naza: Qurbani Qurbani
2. Nazia Hassan: Aap Jaisa Koi
3. Manhar & Anand: Hum Tuhme Chahte Hain
4. Amit Kumar, Kanchan & chorus: Laila O Laila
5. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Kya Dekthe Ho
6. Baat Ban Jaye

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