Asha Bhosle - Love Supreme (Times Square)

You’ve Stolen My Heart, Asha Bhosle’s collaboration with the Kronos Quartet, was easily one of my favourites last year. Love Supreme includes two discs: one of newly recorded ghazals, the other a compilation of favourite Bollywood duets selected from Bhosle’s lengthy career. Unfortunately this combo leaves me deeply conflicted. Imagine if Johnny Cash, having just worked with Rick Rubin on American Recordings, immediately released a double CD containing a full disc of ballads orchestrated, arranged and produced by, oh… I don’t know, let’s say… David Foster, accompanied by a fine selection of vintage tracks from the Sun sessions and early Columbia years. You see my problem? On the collection of ghazals, Asha’s voice is, as usual, enchanting, but it floats in a bowl of cheesy musical banality. Sadly, the lasting impression is that of exceedingly well-executed karaoke. Conversely, the companion disc of duets is an absolute delight providing historical insight into the artist who justifiably inspired the Kronos collaboration. Or maybe I should just get over myself, be thankful for this Indian buffet – load up on the vindaloo and pass on the paneer.