When you look at the star cast of ‘I Am’ (Juhi Chawla, Nandita Das, Manisha Koirala, Rahul Bose etc.), you make a mental picture of how the movie will be and how its music will be. And when you listen to this album, you expect a certain quality to the music and this album meets all those expectations.

Amit Trivedi, Vivek Phillip and Rajiv Bhalla contribute their own songs to make this album complete.

Album: I Am (2011)
Music Composers: Amit Trivedi, Vivek Phillip, Rajiv Bhalla
Singers: Mame Khan, Kavita Seth, KK, Rekha Bhardwaj, Mohan and Karthik
Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya and Amitabh Varma

Baangur
Singers: Mame Khan and  Kavita Seth
Music Composer: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya

The album opens with melodious and soulful song from Amit Trivedi. The opening piece of music is so eye-catching (or should I say ear-catching) that you will automatically tap your feet and sway to the music. Mame Khan’s voice is interesting, but it’s Kavita Seth’s singing that adds life to this song. In an otherwise melodious song, Trivedi introduces some rap lines which disturbs the tranquility of the song. Lyrics are interesting. See these lines

phirti thi hawaaon mein, par lagte thay paaon mein
zindagi band pinjron mein kiyun aaj rehti hai
neendon ke sandooqon mein kabhi sone ke sapne thay
aaj peetal ke tukrron ko mohtaaj rehti hai

‘Neendon ke sanooqon mein kabhi sone ke sapne thay’ – what an imagination. Inspired by Gulzar?

Issi Baat Pe
Singer: KK
Music Composer: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Can someone confirm if the string instrument used in the opening piece is Veena? I am not sure if it is Veena or Sitar. A short and sweet song which has philosophical undercurrents is sung beautifully by KK. We hear the ghost rapper again in between which just makes me cringe.

Bhojal Se
Singer: KK
Music Composer: Rajiv Bhalla
Lyrics: Amitabh Varma

A very soft and soulful voice rendered beautifully by KK. The slow tune, very little background music puts all the attention on the singer and the words. This song has a calming effect – you immediately slow down in whatever you are doing and find yourself relaxed.

Aankhein
Singer: Karthik
Music Composer: Vivek Phillip
Lyrics: Amitabh Varma

A not very uncommon romantic song which is listened to and immediately forgotten. I found the tune monotonous. Nothing special to take back from this song.

Saye Saye
Singer: Mohan and Rekha Bharadwaj
Music Composer: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya

A very unusual opening to the song – it opens with adhan – the call for prayer which we often hear in mosques. Trivedi ensures his song has interesting openings. A very strong and aggressive song sung by Rekha Bharadwaj and Mohan.

Wundoo Yeredoo
Singer: Rajiv Bhalla
Music Composer: Rajiv Bhalla
Lyrics: Amitabh Varma

The less I say anything about this song, the better. A mix of Hindi, English and Kannada words and jarring music – the song is best avoided.