'Rock On' at 13 on International Music Chart

It's the first time for an Indian album - listed on International Music Chart

The popularity of "Rock On" climbed a notch higher as its music album stood 13th on last week's iTunes US World Music page.

The film's music album, charged at $8.91, followed Californian reggae band's "Rebelution" that is ranked 12.

"The music of 'Rock On' is catching on very well. This is the first time an Indian album has reached so high on iTunes," Kulmeet Makkar, CEO, Big Music and Home Entertainment, told IANS.

The Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG)-promoted Big Music is behind the launch of the film's music.

The film, released on August 29, has been widely lauded for its robust rock soundtrack created by composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It's songs "Pichhle saat dino mein", "Rock on", "Socha hai" and "Sindbad the sailor" are being hummed by youngsters galore.

The fact that it is now among the top 15 albums on iTunes indicates the popularity of the film's music beyond Indian shores.

"The music of 'Rock On' is not typically Indian. It is rock, which is a world genre and it also has a big youth connect," Makkar said.

"iTunes is the number one site for music download abroad and we are very proud that 'Rock On' has made it till there. The fact that the music has been accepted abroad and is doing well is a major boost for us," he added.

Makkar clarified that the earning from the music download from iTunes is not monetarily very profitable, but it proves beneficial in the long run as the platform provides international visibility.

"According to our distribution structure, we distributed the music to 370 online stores across 45 countries. But we still don't consider it a profitable revenue stream. The main revenue streams for the music are ringtones and audio CDs," he added.

Makkar explained that since people in India prefer to download music illegally from Internet sites free rather than paying for it, it is difficult for them to penetrate the Indian online music market.

The sales of the audio CDs have however "become very encouraging", he said.

The music album of "Rock On" has nine soundtracks out of which six have been crooned by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who has made his acting debut with the film as well. Apart from Farhan, the film has introduced actresses Prachi Desai and Shahana Goswami.

"Farhan's voice is exceptional and added a lot of authenticity to the songs as he plays a singer in the film. It also makes people feel that even though you may not be a professional singer, you can also sing. Farhan has added honesty to the songs," Makkar said.

Makkar said that the film's DVD will be released by the end of October but for those who want to enjoy the rock concerts in the film, a DVD of the songs will be released very soon.

Big 92.7 FM, also a part of Reliance ADAG-promoted Reliance Entertainment, has been arranging major on-ground activities to promote the film. One of the highlights is the "Rock On" concert that has already been held in Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi and left the audience wanting more.

Set in Mumbai, "Rock On" has an urban feel and revolves around a group of four aspiring musicians who form a hippie rock band called "Magic".

It is led by singer Aditya (Farhan) and also has temperamental guitarist Joe Mascarenhas (Rampal), talented keyboard player Rob (Kenny) and drummer Kedar Zaveri (Kohli).

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

World's 8 Most Expensive Perfumes - Amazing

Globally, the flavors and fragrances form a $17.8-billion industry of which the top five players are Givaudan, International Flavors & Fragrances, Firmenich, Symrise and Quest International.

These five companies have a substantial presence in the Indian market, along with competition from Indian F&F houses like SH Kelkar, Sachee Aromatics and Oriental Flavors & Fragrances. The Indian F&F market is estimated at around $225 million.

"The word 'perfume' comes from the Latin per fume 'through smoke'. One of the oldest uses of perfumes was in the form the burning of incense and aromatic herbs used in religious services, often the aromatic gums, frankincense and myrrh, gathered from trees.

The Egyptians were the first clan to use perfume followed by the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans.

The Egyptians invented glass and perfume bottles were one of the first common uses for glass.

So which is the most expensive perfume brand available in the market? Which perfume bottle is adorned with a five-carat diamond? Read on to find out. . . (These perfumes have been ranked by www.perfumejuice.com.

1. Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty: Price $215,000
British designer Clive Christian's creation has recently been voted in the Guiness Book of World Records the most expensive perfume in the world. The 16.9-ounce perfume bottle is stuck into the 18-carat gold collar that is adorned with a five-carat diamond. Only five bottles are made annually, justifying the eye-popping price.

2. Clive Christian No. 1: Price $2,150 (2 oz.)
This perfume is an extravagant combination of Indian jasmine, mandarin and sandalwood. Its bottle is handmade from lead crystal, while the neck is 24-karat gold-plated sterling silver, set with a solitaire.

The stopper is designed after the original pattern granted by Queen Victoria.

3. Caron's Poivre: $2,000
The peppery unisex fragrance of Caron Poivre is a snip at $2,000 (for 2 oz).

This perfume is a concoction of lavender, jasmine, rose, Lily of the valley, carnation, cedar, sandalwood, Tonka and musk.

The maker of this perfume, Caron, is one of the last perfume houses to still have an in-house 'nose' (Monsieur Fraysse) -- also called a master perfumer.

4. Chanel No 5: Price $1,850
One of the world's most famous perfumes relies heavily on jasmine. It was the first fragrance from Parisian couturier, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.

History has it that Chanel commissioned renowned perfumer Ernest Beaux to make six perfumes. They were labelled No. 1, No. 2, etc. through No. 6. Chanel liked No. 5 the most and that became the chosen formula.

Initially, this perfume was given to some of Chanel's clients for free at her boutique.

5. Baccarats Les Larmes Sacrees de Thebe: Price $1,700
Baccarat, better known as the maker of high-quality crystal, entered the fragrance business in the late 1990s with three limited-edition fragrances of its own.

Baccarats Les Larmes Sacrees de Thebe combines frankincense and myrrh. The perfume comes in exquisite Baccarat crystal bottles.

6. Annick Goutal's Eau d'Hadrien: Price $1,500
Annick Goutal is a European perfumer, former model and prize-winning pianist. Her Eau d'Hadrien is a fresh, citrus blend of Sicilian lemons, grapefruit and cypress.

7. Hermes' 24 Faubourg: Price $1,500
This women's perfume, which comes in 1-oz bottles, is made by French fashion house Hermes International.

Hermes started its fragrance line in 1951. Over the past 57 years, the company has created several fragrances for both men and women.

8. Jean Patou's Joy: Price $800
This is quite a popular fragrance among Hollywood stars. It comes in 1-oz bottles and is a heavy floral scent, based on the most precious rose and jasmine, created by French fashion designer Jean Patou.

Other Patou perfumes are Amour Amour, Adieu Sagesse and Que Sais Je.
But 'Joy' is the most well known one.

Source: rediff.com