By Nitin Sethi, Bollywood Trade News Bureau

Nonesuch Records releases Kronos Quartet and Asha Bhosle's 'You've Stolen My Heart' Songs from R D Burman's Bollywood today. The new record by the Grammy award-winning Kronos Quartet, one of the world's most renowned string quartets, is homage to the great music director R D Burman, with vocals from the legendary Asha Bhosle on 8 of the 12 tracks.

"Kronos has explored the marriage of music and film for many years, so immersing ourselves in the music of R D Burman's Bollywood was natural," says the Kronos Quartet's violinist and founder David Harrington. "Burman's music transcends any categories of 'Bollywood' or 'film music'. To me, it stands on its own as some of the most inventive, far-reaching and fun music of the late 20th century."

"After we recorded his song 'Aaj Ki Raat' (from Anamika, 1973) on our Kronos Caravan CD, a friend of mine was interviewing Asha Bhosle," says Harrington. "He played our version for her, and then he sent me a photograph of her singing along with our recording, while holding the jacket of the CD. That was about six years ago, and it was probably at that moment that I had this little idea: 'Wouldn't it be incredible if somehow we could have Asha Bhosle as our lead singer and record an album of R D Burman's music?' In working with Asha Bhosle on 'You've Stolen My Heart', Kronos has experienced not only Burman's living legacy, but also one of the most talented and generous artists I know of. Asha truly is the Queen of Bollywood."

The Kronos Quartet is a string quartet, normally playing just two violins, a viola, and a cello. However, inspired by Burman and Bhosle, Kronos ventured into novel instrumental territory on 'You've Stolen My Heart', augmenting its acoustic sound with keyboards, percussion, and other instruments - all played by the Quartet members. Longtime collaborators Zakir Hussain (tabla and a variety of other percussion instruments) and Wu Man (Chinese pipa and other stringed instruments) also lend their virtuosity.

The Kronos Quartet will be joined by Asha Bhosle for a series of performances next season.