Archive for November, 2011

A slow jam that brings together two of the biggest RnB diva’s of the past decade? Yes please! Taken off MJ. Blige’s My Life II: The Journey Continues, which is due November 21, a small part of me thinks that Sean Garrett should have produced this for a solo Beyoncé performance but without trying to sound all averse, a jam of this quality is something that deserves nothing but praise.

Taken from an album titled Phase 1 by Phoenyx, there’s something that really makes me want to break the repeat button on this track. The soft and emotive vocals from Arijit Singh seems to take this track to a whole different place whilst complimenting the punchy (but not overdone) dubstep production so well. Released on the Saregama label, Phase 1 is an album we hope to get our grubby hands on, I already like what I’ve heard so far!

When a moonless night asked for the value of its value of its darkness a star laughed and mocked
And as this misfortune unleashed, not a soul came to stand by it.
Lonely and forsaken, it called out to the shadow, to come along for my favor.
But shadow replied,
“We are nothing, but images, of one light
We are born of it, and with it we die”

The surge of the amazing poet Satinder Sartaaj continues as he releases the official video for Dil Sabh De Vakhre. Adapting his own style, Sartaaj has continued with the album Cheeray Wala Sartaaj to express Punjabi culture lives in the writings of his personality. Succeeding to not get lost within his composition is an accomplishment within itself but you can’t help but succumb to his Sufi expressions and accompany him on a deep ruminative journey.

We last heard from this young sensation with his simply colossal Drum and Bass take on Garry Sandhu & GV’s Fresh. Now, Govind Bhachu has cooked up another scintillating storm that continues in the experimental mould. Vistaar begins in subtle fashion with Govind’s impeccable percussion accompanying a synth vibe, but as the track develops everything erupts as time and space seem to be warped by the sheer magnitude of the electronic transformation! Despite the carnage, the classical female harmonies provide a pleasant warmth to the track and give this snarling monster a soulful touch. Vistaar is available as a free download, just hit that arrow!

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Mancunian Celt Islam dropped a special tabla-infused dubstep banger a little earlier. What starts as a mellow 71BPM’er slowly builds with some serious synths, kicks and bassline to ensure your subwoofer gets some company! Hope you enjoy this one as much as we did.

As the title alludes, Moviebox have finally unleashed the visuals for the title track off Jazzy B’s newly-released album, Maharajas. It has all the ingredients of a certified anthem with ‘The Music Man’, Sukshinder Shinda at the helm and Jelly Manjitpuri not only responsible for lyrics but also helping with backing vocals alongside his crew! The chorus-drop proves to be a master-stroke and the track is an accomplished outing from the team. Maharajas certainly stirs up a sense of pride and is designed to make you want to puff your chest out as Jazzy puts in a rousing performance.

Check out the UK-shot video, overseen by Sai Smith of Ballistic Productions that sees the ever enthusiastic Jazzy B swing those limbs in trademark fashion, shake the tassels and burn serious rubber on the track! Keep an eye out for the amazing effects at 3:54 mins and an intriguing choice on the football attire!

Maharajas is available to purchase by heading to iTunes via the link below.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Sometime in the not too distant future Asher Roth will release a mixtape entitled Pabst & Jazz (digging the artwork, above!), with the beats handled in the main by Chicago production outfit Blended Babies. The team’s first offering from the forthcoming project, Common Knowledge is one slick joint that’ll have your head bobbing before Ash even begins unloading bars.

The rapper’s delivery is on point and deserves credit for managing to eloquently name-drop Magnús Ver Magnússon… Yes, the four-time World’s Strongest Man! The rated ingenuity and range exhibited on the verses has also been provided with a deadly musical backdrop; rippling synth arpeggios bedded on the reverb-heavy, vicious breakbeat… Top-notch! The stripped-down, tempo drop on the hook works well and this effort has elevated my interest in checking Roth’s mic skills on his upcoming work.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Set to release on the 15th January 2012, Ms Dynamite and producer Shy FX team up with Yasmin for her forthcoming release titled Light Up (The World). Check out the official video above which was filmed in the picturesque city of Havana, Cuba.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Jr Dread’s latest release Jogi features the vociferous, yet vastly underrated vocal prowess of Amrita Virk and is a track coursing with uncompromising attitude! From the music producer that gave us the electric-guitar infused Galliyan, the Drum and Bass flavoured Jaan Toh Pyaari and the quirky Tere Heer Nu that all featured on The Debut in 2010, Jogi once more reflects Jr Dread’s bold decision to veer away from the usual ingredients and instead inject musical diversity into Bhangra. On this occasion, he has opted to throw raw desi folk, ragga, hip hop and DnB into the smouldering pot and come up trumps with a BEAST of a track! Describing the thought process behind his new work, Birmingham-based Jr Dread explains:

This new song represents an overall new sound I’m trying to attain. Something much darker and experimental, melding genres into one song to create a wholly new sound I’ve never tried

Bearing that in mind, prepare your ears for an overwhelming onslaught as Virk’s imposing vocals go head-on with Tubsy’s juggernaut percussion! They are laced with a devastating bassline, livewire algozey and tumbi, flawlessly complemented by harmonium pieces topped with a chorus-drop that will plunge you deep into the heart of a pure, unadulterated 94BPM heaviness-fest! For me, the final drop perfectly punctuates the track’s potency with a stirring, underground-inspired climax! Check out the video to Jogi for yourself and please support the artist by purchasing the single which is now available via iTunes on Hi-Tech Music.

Updated with iTunes link

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Norway-born B-Magic released his newest offering D.R.E.A.M almost two years since his last presentation You Got It For Free Vol 2. Standing up to strong lyricism is an equally strong production effort. Talents such as DviousMindZ, Noyz, Dusty Loops, and KinG! stop by to lend their hand to the Brown Magician’s musical backdrop.

Getting it right from the start, Intro Those Who Slay lays the premise for what’s to come.

I close my eyes and see nothing but darkness
They want the fire but don’t tell me how to spark it
The park bench we were heroes, no Clark Kents
Street dreams from luxury homes to apartments
Give me a paddle and I will row
Just an Average Joe reaching out as far as I can to grab my gold

Complemented by his deep narrative, smooth flow, Magic shows he’s well versed in the affairs of street life. Who I am, Stick Up, and Chasing Pavements showcase this. Guest features are minimal but needed (including the appearances that you would probably expect, like Humble the Poet and excellent songstress Selena Dhillon).

Typical to regional hip hop, B Magic manages to preach from his own life experience, but comment on his surroundings in a way that becomes relatable to anyone listening around the world. No doubt about it, B Magic with D.R.E.A.M solidifies his status as an original Hip Hop talent. Check out B Magic’s Bandcamp page to download all his previous and this newest offering.