Archive for November, 2011

Having created a buzz with Kinna Sohna Munda and Beyonce, November 24^th saw Bikram Singh drop his mammoth 14-track album titled Bik.I.Am. As you’d expect, perennial partners Tigerstyle are heavily involved on production as well as solid contributions from the likes of Mentor, Twin Beats and PropheC among others!

It is immediately apparent from the ambitious tracklisting that Bik.I.Am is not your average, run-of-the-mill release and the collective efforts have paid dividends in creating a multi-faceted album with a lot going for it. Bikram demonstrates notable poise right through as he is driven by the diverse, cross-genre sounds crafted by his production-force.

He has challenged the status quo and excels on numerous tracks such as on the frenetic Electro Love Boliyan with its stripped-down piano hook, while on the chord-heavy Mere Naal Nach the unique composition gives it an unerring catchiness. Many will grow fond of the harmonious mandolin on the slick Jaaniye and even on the slower, reggae-inclined Mein Na Avanga, Bikram’s impassioned vocal performance provides further vindication of the New-Yorker as an accomplished artist.

Though we’ve picked a selection of songs to showcase the album, we’re confident Bik.I.Am has plenty of spark to win over a wide audience. For instance, Soni Lagdi is a veritable feast of musical flair through its sumptuous sarangi-pieces, background high-octave piano chords and subtle tumbi flawlessly aligned with the head-bobbing melody.  Another Tigerstyle track that proves gripping is the out-and-out desi folk anthem Yaari Yaaran Di which emphatically addresses any cynics who perhaps doubted the Glasgow-based production outfit’s credentials in delivering good ol’ fashioned, full-blooded numbers! With its seamless tempo transitions heightened by breakneck algozey and Bikram’s amped vocals, this is one badass track and album to boot. Please support the artists and purchase Bik.I.Am via iTunes by clicking the link below.

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D-Sarb has taken a new tack for his new single Chanjara with Suni Nox heading production instead of regular partner on the beats D-Boy. Despite a different name behind the music, D-Sarb has once more come up trumps with this peppy little number that looks destined for the dance floor.

The gifted singer deserves props for taking to the characteristically upbeat tempo of Bhangra like a duck to water. Having already made us aware of his innate knack for the deep tunes, the latest track just goes to show this wonderkid’s vocal dexterity following the hugely popular Sahan and Panchi Vangu which featured on Music ‘N’ Me EP – Vol. 1 and 2 respectively. Up-and-coming producer Suni Nox has done a commendable job to incorporate desi flavours whilst keeping the music fresh by fluently combining elements such as the mandolin, understated riffs, reverb, flute and lining it with Tubsy’s percussion.

Responsible for D-Sarb’s earlier successes, lyricist Gill Ahmedpurwala has also penned Chanjara and is proving to be an integral piece of the D-Sarb jigsaw. Check out the fusion-angled visuals for this slick record and head over to iTunes via the button below to get your copy!

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The ever-so-bubbly and pioneering Dholi King G Mall has welcomed back a class vocalist in Meshi Eshara to lead Dholi Veerji.  Dhol Blasters founder Mall, together with Jassi also lend their support on this fun-filled, family-orientated toe tapper!

We’re chuffed to see Meshi back in the fold and luckily for us, his distinctively hearty voice will feature on Jassi J’s upcoming album too… Let’s hope a collaboration with Sukshinder Shinda is on the cards! As the credits reveal, Boota Jagpal of B21 has worked his production magic on this track – the brass pieces add a pleasant but subtle jazzy vibe and as expected the dhol drop is executed to perfection. Check out the charming video which was shot in Smethwick Victoria Park with King G serving as master of ceremonies. The single is available to purchase via Amazon and iTunes.

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With the dust not even allowing to settle from the bass thumping Collision Course release, G-Ta cooks up an unadulterated 30 minute mix featuring slices of his own work accompanied with some tasty hard hitting dub bangers from the likes of Sukh Knight, Doctor P, Squarewave and Bandish Projekt. Favourite part for me has to be the seamless blend between Doctor P’s Sweet Shop and G-Ta’s own Collision Course (20:00 mins). One word of advice, it’s almost not worth listening unless you’re prepared to turn it up loud… REAL LOUD!

Click here for the tracklist

It seems Celt Islam is in a giving mood as he quickly follows up on the monumental Engine Grind with an additional dose of transnational dubstep as he likes to call it. There is no doubt about the boundaries further converging when it comes to his latest serving Bass Mantra, a full-on cranium-rattler with oodles of character with its Eastern ingredients coming to the fore!

The intense dubstep that juxtaposes the delicate sitar and tabla-pieces along with the dub take over in the second half of Bass Mantra makes for a genuinely captivating listen. Well what are you waiting for? Hit that play button!

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Whenever we discover new music that involves the names G-TA and Beatboxer Ekko we become all giddy with excitement — and rightfully so! Followers of our blog should be firmly acquainted with the talents these two artists possess and their ability to deliver non-stop FIRE! On this occasion, dub-box/mouth-step maestro Ekko alongside experimental Einstein G-TA have released the 4-track Collision Course EP that includes the immense Mixture Riddim VIP aka Collision Course and the dope dubstep overhauling of Lak 28, both of which wreaked havoc a little while back and are unlikely to cease anytime soon!

So it comes as no surprise the aforementioned damage is also applicable to tracks 3 and 4 as we are treated to a serious exhibition of eclectic sounds. G-TA is joined by Janaka Selekta, another major protagonist in the experimental world to pull-off a swashbuckling DNB remix on Chaiwalla’s Boombox. With its ominous bassline, use of authentic percussion and bi-lingual vocals they’ve fashioned a fantastic vibe… The shehnai (Indian oboe) combines so well with the underground characteristics and coupled with the dhol breakdown, creates a pretty special ambience. Journeystep is a classy, middle-eastern dubstep banger to savour with Ekko and G-TA going in over hypnotising oud (Middle-Eastern lute)-pieces and thumping percussion… And THEN the dubstep onslaught arrives in a big way but we dig the traditional instrumentation emanating throughout.

Collision Course is truly a fitting title for what has been achieved and especially by the very nature of how the diverse sounds have been united, with the resulting chemistry for all to witness… It’s a bonkers EP full stop! Experimental-enthusiasts don’t hesitate to add this to your collection via the BandCamp links above.

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To date, Amrinder Gill has continued to utilise Sukshinder Shinda as the deviser for his all albums within his current discography. Those include great albums like Dildaarian, Dooriyan and Ishq but for his newest release Judaa, Amrinder has entrusted the production tasks to another pioneer that hails from the UK shore of West Midlands, Dr Zeus.

Since the promo’s hit the World Wide Web earlier this month, the echoes from the excitement of the collaboration vibrated through social networking sites creating tremors of anticipation.

The album finally hit digital outlets early on a Sunday morning and contained within it was a breath of fresh air. Dr Zeus has stuck to his strengths to create an album which really has worked for Amrinder. Songs seemed to have been built from the ground up bringing through a feeling of refreshment, blending both artist qualities perfectly.

There’s also quite a bit of intelligence as nobody would have thought the musical collaboration of these two could create such a positive outcome. Within an abundance of musical sweetness – delicate piano pieces within Yaarian, deep synths with glacial string accompaniments in Tere Utte and lyrics from Judaa that send silent shudders, this album really is one of the most enjoyable, consistent and exciting we’ve heard for a long while.

Grab the album for 5.99GBP from iTunes by clicking the link below.

One of the shining lights of contemporary Bhangra production outside the UK is Australia’s Jaskurn Gosal. Having already a string of smashers under his belt working with the likes of Bakshi Billa and AS Amar, Jesta, as he is affectionately known is busy concentrating on his solo EP project which is earmarked to drop soon. Nevertheless, the Aussie recently took a little time out of his busy schedule and checked into the Friction Lab (where artists are challenged by the BBC’s Bobby Friction to mash up genres and go against the grain of preconceived collaborations) to showcase his experimental capacity.

Jaskurn Gosal has opted to completely revamp JK’s Chooteh Laareh with an absolutely demonic Drum and Bass lick! The track opens and subtly features an eerie, crackling sample with a succession of sharp chords, of which the fourth triggers an almighty surge in DnB delight. Jesta has not messed around and launches us straight into the frenetic tempo set through JK’s resonating chopped and looped vocals. The breaks, kicks, synths along with the keys all come together to do the business on False Promises. Both the breakdown and the Step Brothers movie dialogue on the track are integrated with impressive poise.  Listen to it right now (and prepare to do so repeatedly) via SoundCloud!

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After unleashing Ka Karoon Sajini a few days ago, we finally got our hands on the album Phase 1, by Phoenyx, released on Saregama records. Focusing heavily on electronic and dubstep, this album really excels in developing a perfect fusion of Panjabi vocals with some mindblowing dub sounds. I may be slightly premature but rating as a fusion album, this is up there with some of the finest, liked so much so that it got me reminiscing of great fusion artists of the past including TJ Rehmi, Tabla Beat Science and Talvin Singh to name but a few. As always, a selection of our favourites have been uploaded for your ears only, cop this thumping album via the iTunes button below.

Bay Area’s Mixman Shawn has recently made Dhokhebaazi available to listen to via SoundCloud, and is a duet featuring polarising vocalist Bhinda Aujla partnering Simar Kaur. The track smoothly meshes contemporary beats with a folk melody to deliver a rather warm, mellow vibe.

Some listeners may not immediately appreciate Mix’s Punjabi rap that kicks off affairs but I don’t believe it is overbearing, nor does it detract from what is a well-constructed, polished product. The hefty percussion is cut nicely with the flute-pieces and intermittent tumbi-riffs to give Dhokhebaazi an added dimension. Simar Kaur’s vocals fit the bill and are a pleasant change to the usual but its Bhinda Aujla’s vocals that prove to be a revelation… He sounds refreshing as the singer produces one of the most graceful performances we’ve heard from Bhinda! Hit play and see if you dig this one from Mixman Shawn and Co.

Updated with audio.

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