Family   Producer: Keshu Director: Rajkumar Santoshi Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Aryaman and Bhoomika Chawla Music: Ram Sampath Lyrics: Sameer Singers: Arnab Chakraborty, Sowmya Rao, Suhail Kaul, Ernie, Sona Mahapatra, Shailendra, Madhushree and Prakash Audio On: T-Series    Number of Songs: 12 Album Released on: December 2005 Reviewed by: Aakash Gandhi  - Rating: 7.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

A Raj Kumar Santoshi film is always special. Family – Ties of Blood has been making rounds up and down the grapevine of Bollywood for some time now, but it all came to an end on January 11, 2005 with a special mid-week release when the film finally made its way onto screens all over the country.

Ram Sampat has been given the authority of composing the music once again after their latest hook-up in ‘04’s Khakee. Let’s have a look and see if they can come up with a winner once again.

Sampat gets this soundtrack to a flashy start with two energized numbers, Pyar Bina and Qatra Qatra. With the former sung by Arnab Chakraborty and Enie, and the latter rendered by Suhail Kaul and Sowmya Rao, this pair comprises of a couple of typical club numbers that don’t break into new territory. However, if you’re looking for a fun tune to get down with, then these are what you want to listen to. Lyrics are ordinary in every way. Ernie’s rap in Pyar Bina could have been done away with but it doesn’t hamper the track much. Each has a rehashed version to their credit. Verdict: Over-the-counter energizers that help this album get off to a quick start.

Jeene Do has a Sandeep Chowta feel to it – You almost instantly think of the title track of Dum. Unfortunately, Sampat falls short in creating anything inspiring here. Suhail Kaul’s rendition isn’t husky enough but the effort shows. The only thing this piece has going for it is its length, only 2:30. Phew!

Lori sounds like it came straight out of a Rahman album. This one is definitely out of Sampat’s league, but he impresses with his skill over percussions and a tender melody. Sona Mahapatra fills the piece beautifully with her vocals. I can’t help but marvel at Sampat’s composition…the flute accompanies Mahapatra to a T. It may take a few hearings before you begin to appreciate the fine nuances of this gentle piece. Bravo Ram Sampat for experimenting a little here. Not to mention Sameer’s lullaby lyrics that are also out of his pyaar-ishq-mohabbat league. It’s an impressive piece to say the least.

Quick Byte seems like a purely situational track that was created merely for a scene in the film. Just under 2:00, this one deserves to be skipped. If you want to listen to a truly unique piece that highlights the workings of a fast-food restaurant, then listen to Vishal-Shekhar’s title track in Home Delivery.

Family Theme gives you false hopes from the very beginning. Sampat creates a rather interesting instrumental in the first 30 seconds, but then you realize that the piece sounds exactly the same for the entire 2:37. This could have a fine theme piece but ends up falling short.

Last but not least is the best track on the lot, Janam Janam. Yes! Ram Sampat hits the jackpot with one of the finest tunes in recent months. The highlight would have to be the immensely catch melody and flawless renditions by the entire cast of Arnab Chakraborty, Suhail Kaul, Shailendra, Madhushree and Sowmya Rao. It won’t take but a mere seconds for Janam Janam to ooze into the back of your mind. It’s an awesome way to finish off this rather shaky soundtrack.

You know it’s not a good sign when the record company decides to include three songs from a previous album to help boost sales, which is exactly what they did here. T-Series includes three hit tracks from Khakee: Vaada Raha, Aisa Jaadu and Dil Dooba.

So we have ourselves a mixed bag with Family that comprises of two great tracks (Lori and Janam Janam), a couple of above average club numbers (Qatra Qatra and Pyar Bina), and three duds (Family Theme, Jeene Do and Quick Byte). It’s safe to say that the soundtrack of Family isn’t anywhere up to the level Sampat set for himself in Khakee. However, it may just be worth a buy, if not just for Lori and Janam Janam. But something tells me that the music sales of the soundtrack aren’t going to be any indication as to how well the film will do…only time will tell.