I spent a year and a half living in India, and one of the joys was the lack of the pathetic girl/boy band pap that passes for pop these days in the west, and its substitution with the perpetually upbeat and danceable Bollywood music. Imagine my surprise and joy to find that the Kronos Quartet, for a long time my favourite contemporary music ensemble, had collaborated on a Bollywood album. fantastic stuff.

The Kronos String Quartet has been exploring the boundaries of their form for some time. Experimental, exicitng and imaginative choices have lead them in a variety of directions. Like Penguin Cafe and Turtle Island Strong Quarter, Kronos excites the imagination through both the excellence of their playing and their choice of music. Their recent nomination for the BBC's cherished world music prize is testimony to many years of excellence.

So its with some excitement that I come to this recording - Asha Bhosle and the Kronos - and I was not disappointed. The true, long serving and still outstanding Diva of Bollywood, does a tremendous thing here - subtle performance, blended imaginatively with the Kronos, to create an experience that startles, thrills and yet challenges.

Excellent, dynamic and revealing of the nuances of bollywood music. For those with an interest in world music, this is a must buy (or download) CD.