Ustad Sultan Khan, the sarangi maestro, is back with a bang with his recent album “USTAD & THE DIVAS”. And this time
he isn’t alone but is crooning with enchantresses like Shreya Ghosal, Chitra and Sunidhi Chauhan. It’s been looked upon as an attempt to recreate the magic of his last chartbuster ‘piya basanti re’ which included Chitra as his co-singer. The reverberating lyrics of the album are penned by Irhad Kamil, the Gen-Next lyricist who gave us evocative numbers from the movies like shabd and Ahista Ahista. The music comes from the desk of Sandesh Shandilya who has hits like K3G and Chameli under his belt. D.J. Mit is behind the remix versions while Salim-Sulaiman is roped in for programming and arranging the songs.The album contains ten songs wherein ‘Leja leja’ and ‘Billo’ comes thrice (now composers believe in remixing their albums by themselves than to leave it at the mercy of others). Leja Leja is the opening track of the album. Sung by Ustad Sultan Khan and Shreya Ghoshal, the song leaves a long lasting impression upon oneself. The song completely belongs to Shreya with Ustad’s vocals heard at just the right place. The song takes you to nether world wherein you can experience the whirlpool of emotions with a woman searching for true love. The remix versions of the same song appear loud and lack sweetness of the voices. Perhaps, the two versions try to overdo the sound, which is quite irritating. Haiye Re accompanies leja leja wherein Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra takes you further. 'Haiye Re' turns out to be second excellent number in succession by Shandilya and Kamil. It leaves you cosy and ecstatic. This is a song about a lady lost in dream of her loved one. More Piya recreates the air of ‘Devdas’. Sung by Ustad Sultan Khan and Sunidhi Chauhan, the song once again proves the prowess of Sunidhi who tries to beak away the cocoon of item numbers and delivers such tender melody in such low pitch voice. The song brings forward the feel of what is selfless love. The classical treatment makes you hum the song time and again.Billo breaks the monotony and comes as a surprise. Ustad Sultan Khan and Sunidhi Chauhan tries to incorporate the western beats in Indian rhyme. The experiment is well rendered, however the western beats could have been little low to keep up with the flowing rhyme. Since the song is already loud the re-mix versions doesn’t do any good.Hainiya marks the comeback for melody wherein Sunidhi Chauhan takes over Ustad Sultan Khan. The use of ‘dholki’ brings in more charming beat and if one has to choose the best among the best then this track could be seen as the best by Sunidhi.Rageelo Rut by Ustad and Chitra is based on Rajasthani folk music. If you loved the music of Lamhe then you are sure to adore this number as well. The lyrics are beautifully woven in web of sweet beats. Undoubtedly, the best in recent times.
To conclude, 'Ustad & The Divas' is a treat for the lovers of music. Worth a buy.