Hum Do Hamaara Ek   Producer: Smita Thackeray Director: Anees Bazmee Starring: Govinda, Raveena Tandon & Mahima Choudhary Music: Sandeep Chowta, Sukhwinder Singh, Aadesh Shrivastava & Rajesh Gupta Lyrics: Tabbish Romani, Nitin Raikwar, Dev Kohli, Sukhwinder Singh, Farhad, Vinay Bihari Singers: Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, Jaspinder Narula, Sukhwinder Singh, Vinod Rathod, Hema Sardesai, Alka Yagnik, Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Kakkar, Baba Sehgal & Govinda Audio On: T-Series    Number of Songs: 8 Reviewed by: Mandeep Bahra  - Rating: 6.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

There are three outstanding numbers on this album that can be heard over and over. Unfortunately, the remaining five tracks really pull the album down to mediocre status. Nevertheless, this soundtrack for Govinda’s new film is infinitely better than some of his soundtracks in the recent past (remember the atrocities that were Chalo Ishq Ladaaye and

Pyar Deewana Hota Hai?).

The first big mistake was letting newcomers Rajesh Gupta (music) and Vinay Bihari (lyrics) create two tracks for the album. The first is, "Ek Chumma De Do", which is a typical Govinda number, complete with fast rural beats, ridiculous samples of weird sounds and pedestrian lyrics. The melody is totally forgettable and Udit Narayan and Jaspinder Narula’s efforts fail to lift this number in any way. Skip it!

The second Rajesh Gupta/Vinay Bihari creation is pretty much a similar style of song, except the lyrics are even worse! Maybe I should have guessed from the song’s title, "Husn Bangaal Ka Rasgula". Unforgivable!

Thank heavens for Sukhwinder Singh and Sandeep Chowta who treat our ears to some really great tunes. Sukhwinder turns composer, lyricist and singer for the energetic, "Sayonee". The song has a heavy dance beat similar to "Marhaba" in Janasheen, but has a very Punjabi tune and style of singing.

Sonu Kakkar joins Sukhwinder and the two sing up a storm. Sonu’s vocals are easier on the ears here than her screechy tones for "Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo" in Dum. Definitely a song to repeat!

Sandeep Chowta comes up with the goods too with two rocking numbers. The first is, "Hum Tum Hai Tanhayee Hai", which has some great arrangements, especially the unconventional use of the flute (for Hindi film music, anyway). The sensuous singing by Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam adds oodles of charm to this amazing track. This is the kind of song you just want to hear again and again.

Chowta’s second track is, "Bedhadak", which blends a Latin American style with a lot of R.D.Burman’s musical trademarks. Jaspinder Narula excels with her Shakira impression and Sudesh Bhosle gets to do his famous R.D.Burman party piece once again. I don’t think poor Sudesh Bhosle gets to sing in his own voice at all these days. The song is a definite winner and worth repeating a few times.

"Bahut Chalu Hai Saala" is very situational and is probably not going to be appreciated until the film releases. There seems to have been a conscious effort by Sandeep Chowta and lyricist, Farhad to create another "Apun Bola" from Josh. Sonu Nigam and Hema Sardesai play their parts well and Govinda adds his one-liners to the proceedings.

Aadesh Shrivastava’s sole contribution, "Gabbroo", is a Punjabi style song that falls flat! Hema Sardesai and Alka Yagnik sing well but they don’t have much to work with in terms of a good tune or good lyrics. Adding Baba Sehgal’s dated rapping to the number just increases the cringe factor. An audibly sour affair!

The Sonu Nigam solo, "Zahreela Gussa", rounds off the album. There’s nothing too innovative about this track which is similar to previous Sandeep Chowta-Sonu Nigam collaborations. The song is, however, pleasant enough to keep you entertained while it lasts.

Stick to "Sayonee", "Hum Tum Hai…" and "Bedhadak" and you’ll be satisfied with your purchase of this album. Steer clear of the other five tracks or you may be asking for a refund.