The music world was waiting with eagerness for an Anu Malik score. But the veteran composer, waking up from his brief slumber, fails to impress in "Jaan-e-mann" despite having someone like Gulzar writing the lyrics.

The opening track "Humko maaloom hai" starts with Salman Khan narrating a couple of lines before Sonu Nigam and Sadhna Sargam take over. Malik uses a lot of instruments in this number. It is listen-able though not an extraordinary number.

One can see the use of instruments, specially the flute in the next number as well - "Ajnabi shehar", a soulful melody by Nigam.

"Udh jaana... bro!", a fast dance number is sung by Kunal Ganjawalla, Adnan Sami, Sunidhi Chauhan and Earl.

"Kubool kar le" is a boy-wooing-girl-type situational number sung by Udit Narayan, "Indian Idol" participants Rahul Vaidya, Amit Sana and Prajakta Shukre, Monali Thakur and Suzanne. Malik was a judge at "Indian Idol", a talent show.

"Sau dard" is an average sad number with Nigam and Suzanne lending their voices.

"Jaane ke jaane na" by Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh and Krishna is a qawwali where Gulzar uses an occasional English word or two!

Malik misses a golden opportunity to silence his critics. He deviates from his usual melodious stuff - original or inspired - and tries to give an A.R. Rahman touch - orchestra, instruments and choruses - only to fail. Perhaps he really needs some "inspiration".

This album may interest only those who are die-hard Anu Malik fans.