REMEMBER the O Shivani number by Sanjay Dutt in an earlier film which gave him the opportunity to be listed as a singer? Well, he seems to have shed his inhibitions fully and has made it bold to do some regular singing in Kaante. He tries his vocal chords in not just one, but two songs. Surprise of surprises, he is almost in tune.

In Rama re … he croons along with Sudesh Bhosle, Shaan, Zubin and Anand Raj Anand, who also happens to be the composer of this album. And then he airs his "talent" in Chhod na re … in company with Udit Narayan, Sudesh Bhosle and Mahesh Manjrekar. Both these songs are also heard in remix versions.

Incidentally, while the album has been set to music by Anand, Chhod na re … is credited to Vishal and Shekhar (Vishal is also the lyricist). Amitabh Bachchan also lends his voice, but that is more by way of dialogue delivery.

The cassette includes one song (Maut …), which has been written, sung and composed by Lucky Ali. It is an impressive number.

The film is ostensibly based on the life of underworld dons. Sunidhi Chauhan impresses with her unusual voice.

This film, too, is based on a tapori plot. So, the singing has to be unstructured and different. Music director Sandesh Shaandilya has tried to make it a blend of conventional and radical. While on the one hand, there are sweet and sensuous songs like Makhmali ye badan …(Sanjeevani and Sonu Nigam), on the other are irreverent ones like Road rage … by Tannishtha and Amar Mohile (Mohile is also the composer of this song).

Shhanilya has picked up tiny bits of tunes from well-remembered songs to give the album a feel of life on the mean street. In fact, Road ke har mod pe… by Tannishtha and Gary Lawyer reminds you of the theme music of James Bond movies.

Sunidhi Chauhan is again the mainstay of the album. Her voice has the capability to be silken one moment and shrill the next. That goes down well with this kind of track.

Pehli nazar mein … features her along with Mohit Chauhan. The new male singer has given a good account of himself.

Amidst the nationally released Goliaths, one David of a cassette trying to hold its own is Pooja Shiv Ki Karle by local singers Sagarika and Saibal. It renders Shiva bhajans in the traditional style. What it may not have by way of finesse is amply made up by devotion and commitment.

Lyrics and music are by Parasher Dev Sharma.