Producer: Sunil Manchanda, Mukesh Talreja, Nikhil Advani
Director: Nikhil Advani
Cast: John Abraham, Govinda, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Sohail Khan, Vidya Balan, Ayesha Takia, Juhi Chawla, Isha Koppikar, Priyanka Chopra, Shannon Esrechowitz
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Singers: Nihira, Adnan Sami, Shaan, Loy Mendonsa, Shilpa, Kunal Ganjawala, Sadhna Sargam, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Kailash Kher

After the melodious KANK and the punch filled ‘Don’, Shankar Ehsaan Loy get on with their next venture 'Salaam-E-Ishq'. Also this is for the second time they collaborate with director Nikhil Advani after 'Kal Ho Na Ho' who is making this love saga with a multi starcast here. Giving way to Javed Akhtar who has been teaming for some great musical outings, this time its Sameer doing the needful. They come together with seven soulful compositions with no remix at all.

Like a fresh morning breeze arrives 'Dil Kya Kare' in the honey-smoothed voice of Adnan Sami. It’s an amazing song, with Adnan doing full justice to it and Sameer's poetry in sync with the tune that has guitar dominating the bare minimal instruments.  SEL make a mark with the song again, once again bringing to the fore their classy touch. With a mix of Western and country flavour, you just sink in a different world altogether.
 
Have a taste of variety with the next qawalli 'Saiyaan Re' sung by the new voice Shilpa. Shankar Mahadevan and Loy Mendonsa support her ably. Sameer doesn’t surprise with his oft-used words for the track. Composer SEL once again deserve accolades for the fusion of western music with the qawalli, which just adds to it charm. With the beautiful rhythm and melody, this one is another ace up the sleeves of the composer.

For a romantic film, a sugar dipped love song is a must and this is what 'Mera Dil' is all about. It is a feel-good number, conventional SEL without boasting much of novel ingredient. Shaan renders this fantasy filled youthful mushy love track accompanied by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa finalist Nihira already heard before in 'Dhadak Dhadak' from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. Both the singers live up to the energy and youthfulness of a young couple.

The title song 'Salaam-E-Ishq' just blows you off with the innovative style of music that is extremely addictive and catchy. Experimental to the core, the sound of Bagpiper with dholak makes impressive background music. An ensemble of singers like Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, Sadhana Sargam and Shankar Mahadevan truly makes up for the celebration of love. Another winner of the album like all others!

A different flavour of music comes to the fore with 'Tenu Leke'. SEL’s experimentation here lies with trying the Indian instruments molding them in western theme. This is a wedding song with different mukhda that makes the rhythm of the track. Enjoyable dance tracks that will surely make you want for more.

There is a redone of the old classic of Geeta Dutt 'Babuji Dheere Chalna' by Nihira. The song is rearranged and Nihira once again laps it up well on the strength of her skill and confidence. The song is as soft as ever, and SEL has tried their best to retain the essence of the track. Merged with techno and retro, another pleasant track follows.

Current musical heartthrob Kailash Kher takes you for a surprise with his medium pitch and eased rendition of 'Ya Rabba'. It’s a sad and slow track, which is quite absorbing. This philosophical number gives a glimpse to the problem of love.

One thing that runs in the vein of the soundtrack of 'Salaam-E-Ishq' is quality coupled with variety and freshness. SEL has tried to do something different much within the conventional Bollywood sphere. Another successful album comes from SEL by the end of the year with a hat trick in store for 2006. With high expectations riding on the film, the music is surely going to one of the highpoints that Nikhil Advani would be proud about.