The trend Javed Sheikh started in Yeh Dil Aap Ka Hua is followed by Rashid Khwaja in Salakhain, where Bollywood playback singers Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu lend their voices (in their own names) to Lollywood actors. M. Arshad has composed the songs and with the help of lyricists Amjad Islam Amjad, Ayub Khawar, Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar and Khawaja Pervez, manages to come up with the best filmi album of the year.

Naghmana Jaffery lends her vocals to the title track Salakhain and Ishq Khuda Hai. Both begun in an unsual manner - slowly, with a male husky voice saying Salakhain and Ishq Khuda Hai in R.D. Burman style. Although the latter has a catchy beat, it is the title track, with blaring trumpets, gunshots and breaking glass that reminds one of the title tracks of the James Bond movies.

Shabnam Majeed’s Tanhayan leaves a lasting impression as a soulful, tragic number. Sonu and Alka render Barish so well that it makes the listener wonder if it is really raining outside. Robin Gosh’s trademark - church bells, accordion, violin and female chorus - are used well by the musician while guitars, flute, violin and whatever that was not being used in Lollywood is brought back to life in this suave number.

Sonu Nigam returns with Naina, undoubtedly M. Arshad’s best work to date. Both the Sonu Nigam numbers were sung by local singer Tauseef Dar, but due to Pakistan - India détente and Mr. Nigam’s presence in Karachi a couple of months back, the songs were re-recorded in his voice while the talented Tauseef Dar was shown the door.

Zille Huma, who made her debut as a vocalist in the ’90s in Rashid Khawaja’s earlier flick Very Good Dunya, Very Bad Log, returns with Sunheray Shaam and does an impressive job. She sounds so much like her late mother Noor Jehan that it would even surprise the Melody Queen’s fans.

Overall, the album is a good addition to Lollywood’s usually unimpressive list of soundtracks and after listening to it one hopes that Lollywood is moving along the right direction.