Archive for May, 2012

Indian producers Sound Avtar and Phoenyx team up once again to present their new “Vertigo” EP on the Rub A Duck imprint.

Sound Avtar, also known as Piyush Bhatnagar, is currently one of the hottest DJ/producers from India whose sound has often been hailed for its diverse drum patterns, heavy bass drops and -lines and a genius mix of grime and non-conventional melodies. For this EP, Sound Avtar teamed up with Phoenyx again following their successful collaboration on Phoenyx’s debut album Phase 1 which dropped late last year. Continuing to cause havoc on the eardrums, Mr Sound Avtar follows up after Top Gun EP and Filthline with this brand new scintillating 6 track EP.

This new Vertigo EP features the cuts “Symphonyx”, “Razor”, “Drop Dead”, “Phaze One” and the title track “Vertigo”. For Sound Avtar, the collaboration explored new grounds:

Producing this EP together with Phoenyx has been a wonderful experience. The idea behind the EP was to bring forward an attempt to establish a new sound involving elements of dubstep and drumstep as well bass heavy sounds fused seamlessly with progressive, melodic and orchestral elements.

All tracks completing the EP definitely bring forward killer dance floor material that reveals some serious production skills. As Sound Avtar explains it:

The idea was born from an attempt to make a “large” (epic/dramatic/cinematic) sound that would entice the audience into a “Vertigo” like emotional experience. The tracks are designed to be performed live in front of thousands of listeners, concert style with stunning visuals and music production.

And given the wall to wall powerhouse quality of all six tracks it won’t be long before DJs will do just that.

Click here to purchase the EP from BeatPort now!

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.

Click here to read more

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 available to purchase via the iTunes link below. Go grab it now!