Jaan-E-Mann: Mixed bag of music

Every time brawn and brain collide over beauty, a cliché is born.

Film editor-turned-director Shirish Kunder makes his debut with this brand of the love triangle. Shot extensively in New York, Jaan-E-Mann, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and featuring Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta is scheduled for an October 20 release.

Music director Anu Malik is at helm. And here is what he has to offer:

The album, predictably, begins on a dreamy note with Humko maloom hai, a saccharine sweet melody narrating a tale of romance. While the orchestra oscillates from mellow to grand, Sonu Nigam and Sadhna Sargam delicately deliver the lyrics. The singer duo infuses freshness to an otherwise typically mushy tune.

Sonu scores in his second act as well. In this pleasant and lilting composition, Ajnabi shehar, the singer's soulful and sensitive rendition adds to the impact.  

Too many cooks spoil the broth. And too many singers ruin a song. Udh jaana bro's shrieking and chaotic arrangement result in a loud and uninspiring creation. Lyrically too, Udh jaana bro is quite the disappointment with the usually free flowing poetry of Gulzar losing most of its ink. A club mix by DJ Shane doesn't excite either

with its aimless percussion and scatty pace.

A sizzling qawaali is next on the menu. Jaane ke jaane na is high on song and dance, camaraderie and infectious rhythm. Off screen Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh and Krishna have a ball. On screen, one might expect Salman and Akshay to bring the house down. Though hardly innovative, DJ Shane's club remix, like every other remix, is high on acceleration.
 
Sau dard, which relies on the signature theme of Humko maloom hai and an attractive use of the flute, is extremely easy on the ears. DJ Shane's Groove remix of the same dramatically pumps up the tempo and is a foot tapping number.

Up next is a booming piece, which involves a bunch of people trying to convince the heroine to accept a proposal made by 'one' of the heroes. Indian Idol's Amit Sana, Rahul Vaidya and Prajakta Shukhre join Udit Narayan, Monali Thakur and Suzanne in the blaring ditty, Kubool kar le. All noise, no substance, it leaves the listener unimpressed to the core.

In a nutshell, Jaan-E-Mann fluctuates between genuine melodies and screaming item numbers.   

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