What a great soundtrack Sachin Dev Burman's 'Kala Bazar' is; as fine a collection of vintage Bollywood film songs as you're likely to find. It's an album full of sweetly hummable tunes, sumptuously arranged; partly traditional, partly modern; seasoned with a dash of exotic jazz and sprinkled with Latin flourishes. Pick your own favourites – mine include the beguiling 'Na Main Dhan Chahun' featuring Geeta Dutt and seldom heard Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhosle's flirtatious 'Sach Hue Sapne Tere' and the exuberant bongo drum-driven cabaret number 'Sambhalo Sambhalo Apna Dil'.
Mohd. Rafi's contributions are also worth noting: 'Teri Dhoom Har Kahin' has a charming, rustic feel to it, and best of all, the score's biggest highlight 'Apni To Har Aah Ek' is a calm and contemplative musical reverie, sung over a soft, chugging train-wheel rhythm. It's written in an unusual time signature (7/4?), giving it an offbeat, droney quality of the sort that today might be termed psychedelic folk. Whatever the categorization, it's a beautiful song.
Track listing:
1. Title Music
2. Mohd. Rafi: Teri Dhoom Har Kahin
3. Geeta Dutt & Sudha Malhotra: Na Main Dhan Chahun
4. Mohd. Rafi: Apni To Har Aah Ek
5. Asha Bhosle: Sambhalo Sambhalo Apna Dil
6. Manna Dey & Asha Bhosle: Sanjh Dhali Dilki Lagi
7. Mohd. Rafi: Khoya Khoya Chand
8. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Rimjhim Ke Tarane Leke
9. Asha Bhosle: Sach Hue Sapne Tere
10. Music
