Overwork apart, Anu Malik is still capable of springing a surprise on us.Malik mints mottled-immortal melodies in Asoka, which are steeped in the sensuous sounds of the never-before and the sweetest hereafter.Roshni se bhare bhare naina tere is the purest melody Anu has composed since Aisa lagta hai in Refugee. The captivating melody clings to Gulzar`s gorgeous lyrics to create a stunningly soft erotic aura.Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik seem to know they are in the midst of a momentuous happening. They make the best of the opportunity, as do all the other singers who reserve a place in the hall of greatness simply by being part of this momumental album.

Though grounded to the past, the melodies reflect an aura of endless vistas. Gulzar saab`s rich, deep and dark images are compounded by Barot`s tremendous chorus lines and sound effects that inflict deep and wonderfilled wounds in our hearts. I would say Barot is the best thing to have happened to Anu Malik. At times, the additional layers of music do get oppressive. In San sanana (the great-in-his-own-write Anand Bakshi`s only bouncy poetic contribution to this monumental album), Hema Sardesai supplements Alka Yagnik`s main singing with what can only be described as exotic wolfwhistles.

But do we really need any prompting to enjoy these pure melodies that flow like an unspoilt waterfall in the deep and dark green jungles? Or hey, is that Kareena Kapoor`s eyes that we see in Gulzar saab`s poetry ? Whether it is my favourite track Roshni se, or the almost equally exquisite Raat ka nasha (with the Southern songstress Chitra creating a remarkable atmosphere of controlled longing) or the coltish raga-rich San sanana, these melodies create wide open expanses of poetry where we can see the images come alive in the tunes.

But listen closely to the other dance song Aa tayar hoja. Good Lord! Sunidhi Chauhan wraps her versatile vocals around the zingy tune to create a boat song that makes Sachin Dev Burman`s O re manjhi sound ancient. At times, the rhythm sections do get overbearing and do go overboard. But you can`t take your ears off the eye-catching images of emerald forests filled with mystery erotica and intrigue.

A word about Sandeep Chowta`s background music. We get a sample of his unplumbed virtuosity in the Asoka theme. It makes us crave for a full album of Chowta`s background score. Perhaps later? Right now the journey across the deep and daring river has begun. Come, sail away into a world of misty minty melodies. Take a bow, Anu, you have done it.