You really cannot keep a good man down. Especially when he is true to his art. The minute I heard the two-version heart-stopper Seep mein moti hai lekin koi chunta hi nahin, baat ek kehni thi humko koi sunta hi nahin, I knew Rajesh Roshan was back in form. His heart and art aren`t really in creating electronic grooves. Like his illustrious dad, Rajesh`s forte is clean melodies. So it is back to his fine forte in the twin tandems Seep mein moti and the lori Nani maa. Both the numbers are steeped in pain and nostalgia, and are further elevated by Javed Akhtar`s poetry.

After his vibrant virtuosity in Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai, Javed comes forward with a clutch of lovely images of pain, longing, loneliness and redemption. If Seep mein is steeped in sorrow, Nani maa is so tender and emotional, it brings tears to your eyes. Fine vocals in both tandems. But Dominique, who does the second version of Nani maa, deserves special mention. Going through the words about granny`s greatness, Dominique goes from treble to bass to build an arching pyramid of unforgettable emotions.

It is a wonderful feeling to be surrounded with so much vocal talent. Kamal Khan and Sneha do a fine job of negotiating the steep highs and lows of Humko pyaar hai. Again, Rajesh Roshan`s composing capabilities soar beyond the snore-chore of today`s average score. There is an exciting unpredictability to a tune like Mohabbat zindagi hai, doubly so since the voice that wraps itself around the stimulating lyrics seems to belong to Alka Yagnik. But hey, it is not Alka, but a new singer called Madhushree.

Throughout the album, there is an effort to create an atmosphere of heightened emotions through words and tunes that do not follow set patterns, but roam in the free and fair air. Rajesh Roshan`s best scores in the past like Julie, Doosra Aadmi and Papa Kehte Hain come to mind as we listen to Seep mein moti and Nani maa. The dialogues featuring the voices of Manisha Koirala and Arjun Rampal provide a perspective to the tunes. Not that the songs need any prodding to get us hooked.

The only blind spot in this crystal-clear score is the two-version(yes, another one of those!) Jaan leva. Do we really need a vigorous dance item in this soft serenade into a world of unalloyed feelings?