Archive for February, 2012

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.

Set to release off the heavily anticipated album Headliner 2, the power-elite duo of Surjit Khan and Ravi Bal release their first visual for the lead track Been. Centred around the infectious snake charming sounds of the been (pungi), the electric and driving guitar pieces along with the heart thumping percussion join together what can only be described as a destructive production! With lyrics penned by Bunty Bains, Surjit Khan once again proves why he continues to be one of the most versatile, unique and supreme vocalists of our time, showcased with another flawless vocal.

With the album set to release in a few days (23rd), our yearning for the full album shall continue but at least we have something for now to feast our eyes upon…

Teri Aan (I’m Yours) is a soothing slow jam to mark Valentine’s Day courtesy of new producer VJ Skies. First heard on the BBC Asian Network, we were caught off-guard by the touching nature of this song that lifts the Late Kuldeep Manak Ji’s sublime, stroke of genius Teri Aan Mein Teri Ranjha and gives it a contemporary revival.

Unbeknown to many outside India, Ludhiana’s Jeeta Pawar leads vocals and does so in a wholehearted, stirring manner providing the backbone to Teri Aan. The Legendary man behind the original himself features on the chorus too that only strengthens the sincerity of such a pristine tribute. Harleen Akhtar also lends a subtle yet energising vocal layer to the VJ production presented by K6 Desi (K6 Records). The composition is genuinely melodic with entrancing string instrumentation, haunting synth chords and refined percussion. All in all, Teri Aan (I’m Yours) is an inspiring effort by VJ Skies and quite a way to get off the mark!

The single is now available to purchase via iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Music collaborator and media savvy Mannie Sadhra, known internationally under the pseudonym KaliKwest has just dropped a behemoth 12-track compilation album featuring a whole host of top-notch vocalists and producers to match.

Clearly an individual with global connections and rapport amongst the artist fraternity, KaliKwest has not cut corners on his debut KaliKwest Connected Vol. 1 by taking a gung-ho, hard-hitting approach to Bhangra. The Californian hooks us in with a mouth-watering tracklisting that is kicked into gear by the late Great Ustad Kuldeep Manak ji who shares vocal duties with Sukhwinder Panchi on the booming desi-fest Shoukeen Naariyan penned by the legendary Dev Tharikewala. Now, without slipping into the cloudy depths of production credits and sounding conceited, we’re somewhat unaware of Suki Dosanjh’s credentials but this track has an air of a certain Leicester-based production outfit about it… But we digress; it’s a cracking track that is followed by another humdinger Traditional Tribute sung by the blistering voice that is Manjit Pappu. Just shy of 7 minutes, this rousing homage to departed icons is a real treat with Jassi Jullandhari on production sending us down memory lane as Pappu roars the classics! The music is left uncomplicated but incredibly powerful with Sukshinder Shinda’s percussion the mainstay as well as some stunning tumbi and sarangi.

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Fire-Tiger + Satwinder Birdi - G6
Fire-Tiger + Biti + Skiman - Ahka Saab Keh Gayia
Fire-Tiger + Satwinder Birdi - Jind Mahi 2012

Amit Mattu, otherwise known as Fire-Tiger is perhaps a name most won’t have come across till now and after hearing this gentleman’s production handiwork on his newly released EP, Fire-Tiger Presents, we’re confident the new British producer on the block will receive a fair bump in his follower count!

Signed to Karman Entertainment, Fire-Tiger has released a 6-tracker brimming with cutting-edge, contemporary Asian-fused sounds and manages to deliver different flavours throughout the length of the EP. What’s more, Fire-Tiger has championed female artists; an area of the music scene which is need of progression here in the UK and one that this EP attempts to address with the spine-tingling opening track Veh Vanjaria. The trio of Sabrina, Biti and Amrita of Enalay pool their complementing vocal talents on a heartfelt, piano-filled number with a subtle hint of autotune on the hook.

One track that is a gripping journey from  start to finish is the Drum and Bass beast G6. Satwinder Birdi, the flourishing voice behind tracks like DJ Sanj’s Mitran Di Jaan and Atre heads this one and is in imperious form on this white-knuckle, adrenaline ride! The rags-to-riches lyrics are quirky, synths imposing and a bassline nothing short of bludgeoning. Birdi further lyrically revamps the evergreen classic Jind Mahi with Fire-Tiger favouring a largely Hip-Hop feel with a smattering of Desi, Dub and DnB to send our senses into overdrive!

With a wealth of variety to pick from, Fire-Tiger has essentially released an accomplished product and his experimental, mainstream production style is bound to resonate with a diverse listenership. From Electronic to Soul, this debut has revealed him to be adept across an array of genres and has the vision to fluently incorporate cultural identity with resounding ease.

Support the artists and purchase this release via iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

To say that a connoisseur or Panjabi/Sufi music is spoilt when he/she picks up album that features on an album such as this one would be a massive understatement. With Jaspinder Narula, Kulvinder Kelly and Nachhatar Gill laying the foundations alongside lyrical and musical production duo, Harjinder Bal and Babloo Kumar, we are presented with one of the rarest collaborations that we will ever likely see, none other than living legend father Puran Shah Koti and his two shining sons, Master Saleem and Parvez Peji.

Released via Sony Music, the lead track Rabba Mereya features the talent-laden trio pouring out their devotion to the almighty infusing it with their own Sufi-style range swooping licks and Bal applying a Tanpura-filled atmospheric and simplistic snare-beat production thus creating a piece of music which will forever remain a prized rarety.

With the often unsung songstress Jaspinder Narula executing another stellar vocal alongside Master Saleem on Do Tara Ne Pital Diyan, the songs throughout the album are ones that strike the chords of the heart with another exhilarating performance from Nachhatar Gill within Mera Wahem, and dholak and flute filled smooth jam Dil delivered by vocalist Sumeet.

Updated with Official Video for Rabba Mereya

As one of Punjab’s household musical names Sippy Gill is an artist that should need no introduction, however this is not the case as he is still relatively unknown outside of Punjab except for his popularity amongst a small number of desi heads. You could say Sippy has somewhat been unlucky with his fame overseas as his music has not been promoted very well outside of India by his label (T-Series) but hopefully that will change with the release of his new album ‘Flower’.

‘Flower’ is Sippy’s fourth album and follows up on his smash hit Jatt Kuwara which in my opinion was one of the best Punjabi album releases of 2011. ‘Flower’ sees Sippy team up with the legendary producer Gurmit Singh, who had produced a couple of tracks on Sippy’s previous album but the majority of tracks were done by the talented Joy-Atul.

Sippy Gill’s writing and singing style has seen him be compared to Babbu Mann many times but I think they’re both top quality artists in their own right and it’s great to see more Punjabi artists who aren’t afraid to sing their deep lyrics about certain subjects whether it be ashiqui, love or social issues.

I do ask kindly that you please take some time out to listen to the new release ‘Flower’ as well as catching up on previous albums ‘Jatt Kuwara’, ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Jhumke’ as all albums have grown on me over time and were still being played a year down the line.

Hailing from Peterborough, vocalist Gurvinder Singh Sheri aka Sheri G is a newcomer to the Panjabi music scene and his debut single Pat Suteya has already made a positive impression with listeners having only just released!

Pat Suteya also provides an opportunity for Leicester-based, 19-year-old Dav Juss to share his production forte with a wider audience and it’s safe to say he has hit the ground running through a very commercial, polished sound that is an impressive feat to pull-off so early! Juss fashions a fever pitch, party vibe through thunderous yet varied percussion, right on the money tumbi breaks and equally effective mandolin pieces. The young producer’s key work is also on show with synth chords forming the foundation and his command of the harmonium particularly evident.

Sheri G has one highly catchy song on his hands and much of it is down its accessible lyrics written by Sheri’s father and Ustaad (teacher), Surinder Sheri and the singer holds his own demonstrating clarity and range on number that will clock up multiple plays.

Support new talent by purchasing the single via iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Instantly memorable through sultry, Middle Eastern elements emanating throughout, Dil Dhak Dhak Soniye is a diverse and exhilarating showcase of what Tarli Digital has in store for us with the imminent release of his 10 track, 4th studio album entitled DigiTaal.

Having had a fruitful 2011 working alongside all-conquering singing superstar Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the riveting remix project, The RFAK Session and strengthening his unyielding chemistry with Dalvinder Singh on the uplifting Ishq, 2012 sees seasoned-producer Tarli Digital call upon the effervescent vocals of Des-C to spearhead the lead single. Cue a razor-sharp delivery and fully committed performance from the singer that further propels the boundless energy generated by the thumping musical composition on Dil Dhak Dhak Soniye.

Set to release 2nd of February and presented by Organised Rhyme, this single is a sure-fire sizzler of a track that will have hearts racing with its breakneck, punchy production values, Des-C’s innovative vocal exploits and of course Cheshire Cat, a veteran of the scene lending his lyrical flair like only he can!

With Dil Dhak Dhak Soniye, UK based Tarli Digital has gone beyond preconceived ingredients in an effort to cook up a listening experience quite like no other and spectacularly set the ball rolling in the build-up to the hotly-anticipated, forthcoming release of DigiTaal.

Check out the dynamic accompanying visuals and follow the iTunes link below to get your copy of this firecracker now!

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

The genius and production prodigy behind the floor-filler Door Ni Kulne has finally pencilled in the release date of his third and arguably most anticipated album thus far. Manni Sandhu’s My Time is set to drop 23^rd February and we are rather looking forward to it. With a few weeks till the album hits the shelves, Manni has selected one track from My Time and served up quite an appetiser in the form of Sona!

Although less boisterous than his previous single, the Bakshi Billa featured Sona has definite presence and indeed reiterates, if not enhances Sandhu’s production credentials. The home-grown talent has deftly blended soft piano arpeggios, snare-saturated percussion and enchanting flute pieces together with synth chords, melodious harmonium pieces and a healthy dose of bass for good measure! Billa excels vocally on this slick, sophisticated number and his versatile delivery is for all to witness. We like the chilled breakdown/outro too on Sona and feel it’s a fitting way to close out a top-notch piece of work!

Please show your support for the artists and purchase the single from iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra