Raghav Sachar’s music in ‘One Two Three’ (2008) is a fusion of genres, with sharp guitar playing, unpredictable flute notes, electrifying synthesisers and a variety of other instruments. The music is fun and danceable but also has a depth and complexity that comes from the mix of genres. Sachar’s skill as a multi-instrumentalist is on full display and the soundtrack is a joy to listen to.
The album is a diverse and colourful album with a unique mix of genres, from funk to electronica to world music. Raghav Sachar’s voice are a highlight of the album, with his distinctive voice adding a touch of quirk and humour to the songs.
It opens with the title track “One Two Three”, a funky and upbeat song with a catchy melody. Sachar’s voice are full of energy and charisma and he is ably supported by the band, which features a tight flute sound and a violin accompaniment.
Other standout tracks on the album include “Teri Jawani”, a slow and soulful ballad with a beautiful guitar melody and “Kill Two Birds with One Stone”, a funky and upbeat song with a rap verse by Earl Edgar.
Sachar’s voice are particularly impressive on the female-voiced tracks on the album. He is able to convincingly capture the sound of a female singer and his voice are both appealing and hilarious.
The club remix of “One Two Three” is an accelerated version of the original song, with a more energised feel and a focus on club danceability. The voices from the original version are maintained but Earl Edgar’s rap style is more prominent and a European touch is added with gentle pop beats. Ganjawala’s voice are less noticeable, while the female vocals are more prominent in the background. The reprise of “Teri Jawani” in the second verse is particularly good, with the electronica mix creating a wonderful couple of beats and high-pitched singing.
“One Two Three (Amalgamation)” is a funkily eclectic mix of genres, ranging from Punjabi to Qawali. The composer’s distinctive sound is alive throughout the album and the pieces are spirited and engaging. Despite the diversity of genres, all of the tracks on “One Two Three (Amalgamation)” are catchy and enjoyable. His creative and innovative approach to music is evident throughout the album, making it a unique and rewarding listening experience.
“Rock Mahi” is a progressively rock version of the song “Mahi” with Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice dissected and used to create a quasi-pop feel. The track is high-pitched and features various portions of music, with the flute taking centre stage. The then young composer delivers a strong vocal performance, showcasing his ability to hit high notes with ease. Sunidhi Chauhan’s desire to excel in this genre is evident in her performance and the upbeat chorus pieces and crazy screaming sample voices add zest, funkiness and enjoyment to the track.
“Gup Chup” is a refreshing and addictive romantic tune coming form the stable of the composer. It is a purely Indian tune with an unusual combination of notes and a selective picking of instruments to create a fusion sound. Mahalaxmi Iyer’s voice complement Sachar’s perfectly, forming an irresistible duo.
The song features a wonderful santoor sound, gentle tabla beats and slow-paced guitar movements. The music director’s voice pop in after the first interlude, creating a welcome change from the usual composing pattern. There is no boring ‘antara’ section and the electronics are kept in the backdrop with less aggressive groovy beats.
“Gup Chup (Remix)” is a more uptempo and danceable version of the original song, with a more slinking electronic groove. Shilpa Rao joins Raghav Sachar on vocals and the track features scope for more fusion and percussion.
“I Wanna Guy” is a simplistic disco, dance and Latin-beat song with Sunidhi Chauhan. The song is a girlish number with references to what girls may mean when they say “Wanna have fun”. Chauhan delivers a raunchy and sensuous vocal performance and the song features a prominent saxophone solo.
“Lakshmi Narayan” is an interesting situational song sung by Ninad Kamat with a variety of voice tones. It also has some humorous moments with the insertion of various filmi dialogues. The synthesisers in the last part add a nice touch to the short track.
As a debutant in those days, Raghav Sachar came up with a few exciting surprises! Instrumentation is key in the soundtrack and the flute is given a new lease in Bollywood music as part of interludes and accompaniments. One of the startling highlights includes the fresh approach to composing tunes, especially in “Gup Chup”. The usual method of composing is trespassed as the composer does not include the mandatory ‘antara’, but an alternative is supplied. Innovation was already in the mind of the young composer and who doesn’t like innovation!
Raghav Sachar’s greatest strength in ‘One Two Three’ is his versatility and ability to compose a wide range of tunes using simple instruments to amplify their texture. He relies less on sample sounds and trendy programmed versions, making the music accessible to anyone and breeding enthusiasm and a sense of freshness. He has truly succeeded in creating a unique and enjoyable album.
Rating: 3/5
