CD Review: Various Artists' 'Bombay Disco'

Various Artists
Bombay Disco
Cultures of Soul

Bombay Disco celebrates the 1970's disco-inspired music of India's Bollywood scene, along with North American influences that shimmer with notions of dance, cinematic instrumentals, and infectious rhythms. There are thirteen different tunes on the album attributed to about a half-dozen artists. You will hear Usha Uthup, Bappi Lahiri, Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, and Salma Agha. The music is steeped in filmic constructions with strings, synth, drums, and a frolicking bass. The music is suspenseful and danceable. Bad is not one of the words to describe the album. Instead, astounding and memorable come to mind. Anyone familiar with suspense, spy, and thriller films of India's Bollywood past will love the music on Bombay Disco. ~ Matthew Forss