A Shekhar Kapur, Ramgopal Varma, Mani Ratnam production, with musical input by Gulzar and A.R. Rahman.� A case of too many great chefs spoiling the broth?� Not at all dear listeners.� Dil Se... is Mani Ratnam�s first official Hindi venture, starring some of the most talented stars today (Shahrukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and newcomer Preity Zinta).� Like Rahman�s previous musical landmarks, the songs of Dil Se flow out of the soundtrack in epic proportions. � In parts, typically Rahman-esque and in parts, typically (for Rahman) innovative. � Gulzar supports with simple, none too complex lyrics.

"Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya" (and its blood brother "Thaiyya Thaiyya") is the album�s piece de resistance and now my favorite song of 1998. � The techno-heavy percussive beats and amazing ethnic singing by Sukhwinder Singh (last noticeably heard in Saudagar�s wonderful "Deewane Tere Naam Ke") and Sapna Awasthi, is very dance worthy.� Listen for this song in weddings and clubs in the months to come. � (After two days of my owning the audio tape, my family and friends are already hooked.)� It is deservedly one of Rahman�s best compositions.

Lata Mangeshkar sings for the first time for Rahman in "Jiya Jale, Jaan Chale" and does an impressive job of it, backed by M.G. Sreekumar and a bevy of chorus singers singing in Malayalam.� I have no clue what they are saying in Malayalam, but Mangeshkar evocatively expresses her angst and restlessness.� (Rahman also does us a service by keeping Lata out of the higher scale of notes which her aging voice has been having difficulty with of late.)

The film�s title song "Dil Se Re" is rendered by A.R. Rahman himself, with harmonic support from Anuradha (not Paudwal) and Anupama. � Rahman interestingly sounds like Kumar Sanu in parts of the song which informs of all the internal turmoil a human visits when something/someone touches the heart.�

"E Ajnabi" and "Satrangi Re" are songs which may grow on you slowly.� As intentionally desired by the lyrics of the song, the former is beginning to endear itself to me.� Udit Narayan sweetly asks a female stranger (Mahalakshmi) to give him a chance.� Slowly and steadily she will probably agree, just as you will also slowly begin to enjoy the beauty of the song.�

On the other hand, "Satrangi Re" appears to be too similar to the tunes of the mediocre Jeans for me to enjoy.� Sonu Nigam and a haunting Kavita Krishnamurthy try hard to appeal but it is hard to get into the mood of this song.� Hopefully it will be more appealling in the context of the movie.

On the whole, Dil Se... the album is not an experience to be missed. � Let us take the opportunity to officially welcome Mani Ratnam (and the impressive board of the India Talkies production house) to Bollywood film-making.� As we eagerly anticipate the release of this movie, enjoy the album. � The experience can be likened to the invitation of the film�s best song; "Come bask in the shadow of love".