Partner   Producer: K. Sera Sera and Sohail Khan Director: David Dhawan Starring: Salman Khan, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta Music: Sajid-Wajid Lyrics: Sanjay Chhel, Shabbir Ahmed and Jalees Sherwani Singers: Earl D’Souza, Kunal Ganjawala, Labh Janjua, Naresh, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Suzi Q, Shweta Pandit, Sneha Pant, Sunidhi Chauhan, Udit Narayan and Wajid Audio On: T-Series    Number of Songs: 7 Album Released on: June 2007 Reviewed by: Samir Dave  - Rating: 6.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Now, let’s get one thing straight here, David Dhawan’s films are not known for their deep and thought provoking soundtracks. From “Raja Babu” to “Maine Pyar Kyun Kya?” the soundtracks to his movies are fun ‘n’ frothy. This soundtrack is no exception. When you have a movie with this kind of talent, the music is expected to be the kind that would make even the saddest frown turn into a smile. So, will you like this album or dump it for another partner? Let’s spin the disc and take a risk.

David Dhawan has worked with many music directors over the years, from Anand Milind, to Anu Malik, to Sajid Wajid .The Dhawan-Sajid-Wajid combination worked magic with the soundtrack to “Mujse Shaadi Karogi” Now the music director duo return with this fun filled soundtrack that will have you partnering up with your significant other on the dance floor. For a good time, call Sajid-Wajid!

Track one , Do You Wanna Partner? starts the party off on firm footing and is the song that is featured in the funny promos of the film. Take a blender, mix in two parts Reggae, one part Goa, and three parts Bolly funk and you have this killer dance track that is sure to be a hit both on the radio and on the dance floor. The music is fast, furious and funky! Techno beats combine with mandolins and a hypnotic voice that asks if you “wanna” partner. Who are the playback singers for this you may ask? Why it’s none other than the long missing and hibernating Udit Narayan! I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear this now under utilized playback singer. It’s not sure whether it’s the recent controversy with his wife, or the changing climate of Hindi film music that has pushed this once very prolific singer into the background. His partner in crime for this song is the smiling and peppy Shaan. Both voices blend in well with the music as each singer plays off the strengths of the other. The lyrics by Sanjay Chel are full of zest. Put this one on your IPOD playlist. Do you “wanna “ partner? YES!

Track two ,Dupatta Tera Nau Rang De seems at first listen to be the obligatory Punjabi track of the album. You know the unwritten rule don’t you? Almost every soundtrack must have at least one Punjabi Bhangra track. It’s been at least ten years if not more since that rule took effect, and it shows no sign of dying out. I will say that with each soundtrack, it gets harder and harder for the various music directors to come up with a truly fresh Bhangra track. Is this track fresh? Yes and no. It’s a fun track for sure, but it has that well-worn feeling, like a comfortable old shirt that you always love to slip into. As soon as you start listening to it, your Bhangra loving feet will start moving! Successor to Rafi, Sonu Nigam , sexy ‘n’ sweet Shreya Ghoshal and that murderously good vocalist Kunal Ganjawala partner up for this song and blast it into the stratosphere. This one is heavy on the use of synths and seems tailor made for the clubs. Sanjay Chel writes the vocal Bhangra and gives the singers some nice lyrics to sing to. Another “Mast Mast” must for your IPOD playlist. Do you wanna partner? YES!

And now we take this momentary break with our partner and take stock of what we have heard so far. The first two tracks will have put a smile on your feet and some rhythm in your step. But can this album hold onto that crazy zany happy feeling? Let’s spin the disk and take a risk!

Hello Govinda……Hello Salman….Hello brothers! Ahem, sorry, but I feel like this review has been directed by David Dhawan. I guess it’s the crazy kool music. Don’t mind me as we continue on with the review. Track three, You’re My Love keeps up the relentless pace of this soundtrack. Shaan returns, this time joined by the sweet sounding Shweta Pandit (whom I last heard on the “Fight Club” soundtrack). Combine hip-hop with reggae in a shuffling beat and you have this song that will be a hit in the grindhouse. Lyrics by the smiley happy Sanjay Chel and Shabir Ahmed are playful and upbeat. The song succeeds in interjecting a bit of romance dance style. And is it my imagination or does the hit song “Simarik” by Tarkan inspire this song? For that matter, doesn’t it also sound a bit like the title song from the recent “Good Boy, Bad Boy” by Himesh Reshammiya Do you still wanna partner? YES! (And hopefully the ladies in the audience will feel the romance with this song).

Now…on to the fourth track, Maria Maria. Mix the beach, some Latin flavor and apna Desi style and you have this song that is perfect for sunset party. It’s not too deep, and one can almost picture Govi and Sallu dancing with a bevy of bikini clad gals. Vocals are by krazy kurled Sonu Nugam and husky voiced Sunidhi Chauhan. It’s a fun tune, but a little forgettable. This one is probably the kind of song that will work better in the movie. Still, it doesn’t hurt the fun filled momentum of the soundtrack. Oh yeah, I have to mention the dastardly naughty Sanjay Chel (along with Shabbir Ahmed and Jalees Sherwani once again provide the playful lyrics. Skip the IPOD playlist with this one. But do you still wanna partner!?!? YES!

Ahh, the beach, the sand, and the sun give way to some serious Bhangra club hopping with the fifth track, Soni De Nakhre. UK based Bhangra singer Labh Janjua who provided the killer vocals for “Rabba Khair Kare” (Hat Trick) provides the folk tinged vocals in this slow paced Bhangra funk song. Back up is ably provided by scintillating Sneha Pant and (There he is again!) Sajid. Hit the clubs and do some Punjabi grooving with the right partner. Add this one your IPOD playlist. Gasp! Do you really still wanna partner!?!?!? YES! YES! YES!

The album also includes the trumpet heavy breakbeat remix of the title track, “Do you wanna partner” and the hip-hop techno drum ‘n’ bass remix of, “You’re My Love”. Both of these tracks will have you dancing up a storm.

This moving, growing, playful and naughty soundtrack by Sajid-Wajid displays the synergy they share with director David Dhawan. It’s a perfect complement to the fun nature of the movie and will give you a chance to smile and forget the seriousness of the world for a bit. The soundtrack will not go down in the annals of film history as a classic, but will give you some happy moments till you forget about it. Like a big fun ‘n’ frothy summer day, enjoy it while you can. Oh, and go ahead…. you know you definitely “wanna” partner!