A luscious combination of Indian musical tradition, sweeping Hollywood strings, and Latinized big band, the music of Bollywood is the perfect antidote for those jaded Western ears in search of potent new emotions. This comprehensive anthology examines the fairy tale-like career of Lata Mangeshkar, Indian cinema"s most famous playback singer. From her breakthrough hit in 1949"s ghost story Mahal (the hymn-like "Aayega Aanewala") to the 1994 blockbuster 1942: A Love Story (the sweetly meditative "Kuchh Na Kaho"), the disc guides us through five decades of Bollywood magic, as experienced and defined by Lata"s trademark high-pitched voice. This is highly melodramatic, occasionally campy stuff, overflowing with ingenious orchestrations and unexpected sounds. Melody reigns supreme, as in Hemant Kumar"s heavenly "Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha." The bubbly "Sare Shaher Mein" finds Lata sharing the spotlight with younger sister Asha Bhosle--the only other Bollywood female singer who has been able to rival her in terms of sheer output and vocal mastery. In fact, the Rough Guide"s own volume devoted to Asha serves as the perfect companion piece to this exquisite--and revealing--compilation. --Ernesto Lechner