With a follow up to the quite frankly impressive debut album From The Ground Up firmly in the works, highly regarded music producer GV brings in Garry Sandhu from his brief spell in the wilderness to feature on a thumping, potential-anthem of a release.

Brick is the first taste of the new album from GV entitled Old Habits Die Hard. As a pair, they instantly grabbed the attention of the masses with the memorable single Fresh and with their latest joint effort already inflicting significant damage on mainstream iTunes charts it appears the team have continued where they left off and then some!

A sedate, stringed start to proceedings is brought to life with a heaving slice of rapturous percussion of the kind that we’ve become accustomed to from GV’s productions. Along with the tumbi now in full flight, Sandhu fires up the vocal chords as he lays the foundations for Brick’s premise. Centred on the robust building block as a metaphor for strength and solidarity, popular songwriter Tari Banwalipuria has come up with the goods on this one as Garry’s easy-going vocals take to the lyrics effortlessly, resulting in a clinical return for the singer. The chorus in particular works a treat and is a fine example of producer and vocalist working in co-ordination.

GV slips in delightful banjo work throughout which contributes well to the track’s heartiness. Another cornerstone to the track is the decision to provide Sandhu with solid backing vocals that both complement and add to the heft with their combined grunt. Having called upon Ballistic Productions to do their magic on the video set in Bilga, Punjab, both GV and label Moviebox will be pleased with the thoroughly professional outcome. Coming in at a healthy 83 BPM, Brick has definite crowd-appeal and could become a popular fixture in playlists over the summer and beyond!

Please support the artists and purchase the single via iTunes.

Taken again off the extraordinary White Bangles, Feroz Khan and T Series bring us the visual for Gallan Sachiyan, a track which hits straight at the heart with a few words that highlight a few home truths. Touching on often neglected everyday aspects such as female infanticide and parent abuse, lyricist Avtar Kaunke pens down the unvarnished facts which is gently delivered by the supreme, Feroz Khan.

Producer Jaidev complements the singer’s modest demeanour with a likewise mellow, philosophical musical arrangement that is primarily underpinned by instruments of the Dhadi variety. Filtered throughout are idlyic sarangi pieces and wholesome percussive sounds, which float atop serene synths offering an uplifting, almost spiritual platform. Gallan Sachiyan was one of our favourite tracks off this album purely because of its simple and effective production but more importantly its honesty and openness about topics which often get swept under the carpet.

Click here to watch the visuals for Fasli Battere and Majboor taken off the White Bangles album.

With the wind firmly in his sails following the storming success of singles Chak Dhen Geh and Gidheh Vich Nach, Gurbhej Brar’s debut solo album Panjabi Touch finally made its way to us and by early accounts has the hallmarks of a Bhangra blockbuster.

Going by the previous exploits of the three main components that form the spine of the project; these being lead protagonist Gurbhej Brar, chief production outfit Kaos Productions and guest producer Tru-Skool, we expected a folk-centric album with lung-busting performances across the board from Brar. However, as it turns out, Panjabi Touch digs deeper into the skillset of all involved and manages to unearth some delectable musical revelations too.

A series of synth chords sequenced in playful fashion bring in the enthusiastically up-tempo Ehna Maan Ni which sees Brar in spirited voice as he fires a few home truths in his own candid style over pulsating tumbi and purposeful algozey pieces. This full tilt tee-off is tailgated by the most recently released single in the run-up to the album. Many would have already heard the feel-good jam Giddheh Vich Nach with its dub styling, catchy composition and rapturous chorus drop that hasn’t yet lost its sheen.

At track 3 we witness a wish list track with the lyrics of Kaalah Ghagraa intended quite literally to entice a few handcrafted gifts from a kind well-wisher! The production is rich, heavy and highly-decorated to mirror the lavish items craved. The bassline is particularly heady and mandolin pieces intricate, perhaps used to extend the demanding theme. The brute-force vocals of Brar continue unabated on the Tru-Skool produced hip-hop doused Chak Dhen Geh that requires little introduction such has been its imprint on the scene.

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Regular followers of our blog would notice that we’ve taken a following to the precocious talent that is D-Sarb. The UK born singer has advanced well since he first laid his feet into the UK Panjabi market no less than 12 months ago with the swift and sharp Beat Circle team providing the platform releasing Music N Me Volume 1 in Sep ‘11 and more recently Chanjara.

Following up again with production by Suni Nox and lyrics by Raj Gill, Vang Nachdi is another solid attempt to break in the Bhangra dance floor charts. Registering at a slower 92 BPM, the percussion filled number, laced along with sweet flute and mandolin pieces should further fortify the grip D-Sarb has as one of the leading British Panjabi talents. With visuals featuring the veterans Nachda Sansaar and newer Gidha Sansaar, the track is set to release digitally on the 24th May which we hope you will purchase legally.

If you didn’t know, Feroz Khan is one of our favourite vocalists who in our eyes remains too under-rated for our liking. With his most recent release White Bangles, Feroz delivered another blinder of an album alongside his signed label producer, Jaidev. Following the visual for Majboor, the aid of director Azeem I Parkar is enlisted again for the video Fasli Battere which is another heart-hitting number, set alight beautifully by lyricist Harjinder Bal.

The unmistakable vocal excellence of Harjit Harman returns to the fore with the lead song Awaazan, which comes off his soon to be released album Jhanjran on the T-Series label.  Having blessed listeners in the past with outstanding affairs such as Gal Dil Di, Sajan Milade, Hawawaan that only seem to improve with age, while not forgetting cult classics like Mittran Da Naa Chalda and Note, the exceptional singer steps into the spotlight equipped with a soulful jewel to add to the list.

Atul Sharma once again undertakes production duties for Harman on the new outing and sees the duo pick straight up from where they left off on this beautifully written track by Pargat Singh about severed ties that has been translated well visually. The inherent simplicity and sincerity in Harjit Harman’s voice coupled with Sharma’s sparkling musical framework is quite literally music to our ears! There’s no doubt in our minds that Jhanjran will deliver similarly exquisite results and we will be keeping our ears very close to the ground in keen anticipation of its release.

When Prabh Gill first appeared with his heart rendering romantic acapella tracks we knew that with the right production unit behind him and the correct management, the vocalist could achieve a bundles load more.

Following up after his beautiful religious offering Ek Ardaas late last year, Prabh has returned partnered with Goyal Music with another romantic number but this time filled with a rather tasty production. Arranged nicely, the snarey beat to this track really had us nodding in delight with some quite nice saxophone pieces and guitar riffs completed another accomplished presentation from Prabh Gill and his team. We definitely look forward to hearing more.

The good news is that Surjit Khan, whose career is now spanning long past a decade, is recording his magnificent instrument which is still to this day retaining plenty of its power and agility. Set out to reignite passion into the genre with his magnetic persona and fiery songs reminiscent of days past, Khan has a voice so forceful it can roll back time. Being blessed with a deep and distinctive voice; his timbre is authoritative, but also warming to the ear.

Much to the excitement of his already sizeable army of fans who have experienced diamond gem discs including Akhian Ladha Lai Chup Karke, Hassia Na Kar and Balle Ishqaa, his newest offering Headliner 2 sees Surjit Khan reignite the formidable collaboration with renowned production pioneer, Ravi Bal. As Khan’s career has progressed, he’s also come to ally it to something of a Ravi Bal signature sound, based around intrinsic musical compositions, sometimes all coated in an energy-filled, structured sheen.

Stepping from the stone’s left from their previous crater, Surjit Khan and Ravi Bal beared no remorse leaving behind the infectious Juthi and destructive Chakne Noo Kare Thiar. With Headliner 2, the dynamic collaboration aimed to deliver and have presented an unyielding and substantially satisfying collection of high quality upbeat tracks and atmospheric ballads.

Containing ten tracks, the album contains some magic moments: the vocal fireworks capping the extraordinary electric and imposing freight train-like Teri Jugni, engulfing the senses through its crushing production values and Khan’s ruthless execution intended to rattle a few cages! Continuing onto the deep lyricism and effortless delivery in Maa (Kaanvan), an indelible heart-tugger of a ballad that will surely give goose bumps such is the delicate rendition by Khan on the sublime musical arrangement laid out by Ravi Bal. This is a performance of the highest order and does exceptional justice to Shaukat Ali’s classic. Buzzing algozey, funky chords and clap-heavy percussion on the playful Seventies-style soul-jazz jammy Gabhru Gulaab Varga are just three of the many elements on the retro number which serves as a prime example of vocalist and producer being on the same wavelength.

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On February 23, to much fanfare, one of the new generation’s torchbearers unleashed one of the most eagerly awaited albums in recent times. The aptly titled My Time is the realisation of years learning the craft and it marks the fully-fledged, grand arrival of Manni Sandhu, precocious talent behind showstopper tracks Door Ni Kulne and more recently Sona.

Those who have followed Manni’s progression from the bedroom music producer, the Dj Manni days right through to underground bootlegs The Demo, Mutual Concept Vol 1 and the breakthrough single Pawara will know this individual is far from an orthodox, straight-down-the-middle Bhangra producer. We’re glad to say he has stuck to his guns, kept true to his influences and delivered a project that is representative of Sandhu’s progressive mentality.

Now, usually once you’ve heard an intro, very rarely does it warrant multiple plays but that’s exactly the case with the fierce Jelly Manjitpuri sarangi-grime fest My Time. Jelly lays down the law in explosive fashion as the traditional instrumentation collides with Manni’s raw, pulsating beats and not forgetting that thunderous bass! The Manjit Dhaliwal-written Bottle follows and is a slick club joint sung by Lehmber Hussainpuri. The irrepressible, funkiness factor of this track stems from the flamboyant accent on the synthy chords allied by the punctual mandolin riffs.

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Top Gun EP – Available to purchase via BeatPort

Filthline – Available for FREE download

Emanating from the shores of India, the beats of Sound Avtar first appeared when we heard the mind-blowing remix to the Panjabi track Aaja Sajana. Now a few months after the release and with the ripples from the remix yet to cease, the snare junkie, bass-line aficionado returns with two EP’s that will surely keep the whole head-nodding, bass-bombing, hi-hat tapping dubstep community pleased.

Whilst his name is still emerging, the intricacies and vision from this producer is quite astounding, accompany this with continued flawless mixing and production, we are pretty sure that this won’t be the last time we’ll be blogging about this energetic producer.

The first EP, Top Gun is available to purchase from Beatport as well as from Amazon and the second, FreeBass is available for free download.