Archive for March, 2012

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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