Archive for the ‘Panjabi’ Category

We’re suckers for a good cover and the team of Gagan ‘GP’ Behl and Manraj Patar having been kicking around the YouTube stratosphere for a short while offering their versions of popular songs that have included Sahotas ‘Teri Meri Gal Ban Gayee‘ and the monumental Panjabi MC track with Surinder Shinda ‘Mirza‘.

This time they’ve combined the well known lyrics from Babe Bulleh Shah’s ‘Kade Aa Mil Yaar Pyaara Aa‘ (Wadali Brothers favourite) alongside Gurdas Maan’s ‘Sajna Veh Sajna‘ and utilised quite an enchanting composition provided by Patar’s vocal teacher and singer Dev Dildar. Nice use of the harmonium and acoustic makes this a winner but the verse by Patar really shows his skills which seem to be bettering with each new offering.

If you’re wondering where you’ve heard the name Patar before, Manraj is the youngest son of one of the greatest poets of our generation, one of the truest assets of the Panjabi Language; Dr Surjit Patar. Having penned great poems such as Hawa Vich Likhe Harf, Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala and Kuj Keha Tan Hanera Jarega Kive, words often fail when describing talents such as the supreme Surjit. Hopefully the light from his father will be continued by Manraj for years to come.

You can download the song for free by clicking here.

When the unexpected news came about earlier this summer of Panjabi superstar Diljit readying to unite with one of the UK’s titan music directors in Sukhjit Singh Olk, widely known as “Tru-Skool”, we were instantly on tenterhooks about the results this plethora of talent could conjure up.

With Diljit’s contentious follow-up album to ‘The Next Level’ alongside Honey Singh scrapped, the artist has looked to get back on the straight and narrow and give his music a reboot. With his acting career blossoming, the services of a certain folk architect from Derby were called upon and the journey Back to Basics began. We put the collaboration through its paces and have attempted to dissect the inner workings in order to find out if this move has done the trick.

B2B’s lead track Kharku is a downright earth-shattering starter that sets the precedent for Back to Basics. In his opening gambit Diljit marks his intent in unequivocal style, unencumbered by instruments and indeed rubberstamps the hefty, combative chorus penned by the tremendously talented Veet Baljit. The brooding nature of Kharku is relayed by Tru-Skool and as such sets the tempo at a positively bruising 82 beats per minute. The producer elects to use a punishing variety of percussion as his weapon of choice on the opener and boy does it inflict damage coupled with the matching no-holds-barred bassline! Nonetheless, the spectacle is only enhanced through timeless sarangi bites, perceptive mandolin pieces and swarming tumbi which all combine to harmonising effect.

The dramatic visuals directed by Gifty see our protagonist administer a first-hand lesson in respect to a bunch of trifling goons. Though the adaptation of the concept lacks in imagination, it does seem to sell and does cater to Dosanjh’s growing acting credentials.

Quoted within the inlay “Back 2 Basics… is an attempt to return to a bygone era of distant history” and you’ll find no better demonstration of that than the exemplary Truck. Paying homage to the living legend, maestro and king of all Panjabi producers, Charanjit Ahuja, Tru-Skool finds the ‘same line and wave length’ with Diljit to accomplish quite an astonishing three and half minutes of history.

We were taken aback at the rustic vocal effort mustered by Diljit and the true skill involved to not be overwhelmed by such a finely-tuned, uncut composition. Reminiscent of the sound first created by Ahuja decades ago, Tru-Skool delves into the old school collating the sounds of his tumbi, his harmonium, his tabla alongside mandolin sections performed Amarjit Singh Hayer (Kaos Productions) and the signature Ahuja signature Spanish-style guitar executed by another, often unsung uber-talented UK musician, Pammi Singh Sahib (Sahib G). Moreover, the impeccable harmonium performance is one element to listen out for with its beautiful intricacies and ability to create a real sense of occasion, a truly memorable one at that!

Click here to read more

Half a year on since young producer Manni Sandhu unleashed his debut album My Time, this stonking Garage of our favourite track off the album Sona (feat Bakshi Billa) dropped into cyberspace a few hours ago. Slapping on an additional 30 beats per minute to the original tempo, Manni opts for the shuffling hi-hats and kick drums from UK Garage for this free downloadable mix. Incorporating sounds from Brandy’s Sittin on Top of the World and the familiar UK Garage xylophone, this remix sits really nicely at a tempo that we actually are liking and only adds to the success of the original.

Download the Garage mix for free HERE!

A quirky, no-half measure track in the offing from the man behind Matha Tekhiya, Photo Rakh Ke and Punjabi Hurr with Bups Saggu identifying a calcium deficiency in our bhangra diets! The producer quite evidently put his thinking-cap on with the conception of Milky, which involves clever word play to describe a dapper central character who is on a mission to impress.

Saggu has opted for homegrown talent to spearhead the vocals with Jati Cheed lining up and staking his claim as a singer to be recognised amongst his fellow peers having been knocking at the door for some time. We really appreciated his work alongside Bups Saggu and Metronome on the stringed delight Vang Chan Ke that featured on the producer’s debut album Redefined last year and Milky is continuation of the duo’s natural chemistry and the unreserved energy that Cheed has in his vocal locker, which he fully exercises on the chorus and boosts the song with his charismatic style.

On the music front Bups has in the main kept us guessing and not conformed to a particular set of sounds and in this case appoints a novel brass-induced riff to fashion a nothing short of joyride vibe that instantly sticks. The slick integration of the flute and clean harmonium pieces also stand out amongst the arrangement. Coming to the video side of matters, Bups fittingly translates the concept whilst adding a splash of humour that will only increase Milky’s appeal and caps a formidable single in the lead up to Bups Saggu’s upcoming album Global releasing on VIP Records.

Grab your helping of Milky from iTunes now!

After being left in anticipation for what’s to come following Thursday’s Peekaboo performance, the moment arrived when Karsh Kale delivered his offerings for Coke Studio. My word, we are still struggling to pick up our jaws up off of the floor.

For those that are hearing the name Karsh Kale for the first time, the musician, producer and composer was raised in West Bromwich, England and now resides in Brooklyn, New York. With six solo albums under his discography, he can be best known for one of the seven members of Tabla Beat Science who contributed to quite possibly, one of the greatest Asian Fusion Underground albums ever: Tabla Matrix. Himself a percussionist with emphasis on his love for the tabla and electric tabla, Kale has really pioneered the Electronic fusion with South Asian influence so supremely well and spearheaded the Asian Fusion scene for the past decade.

Now into the sixth episode of Coke Studio @ MTV S2, it would take some feat to better such exemplary efforts from the likes of Nitin Sawhney, Ehsaan + Loy, Clinton Cerejo, Amit Trivedi and Hitesh Sonik but we’re fairly sure, this is the pinnacle of the season so far. Implementing his Asian Underground influence within each performance, it was pretty hard not to showcase each and every offering within the episode.

Karsh Kale feat Salim Merchant + Sabir Khan – Kajar Bin Kare

Paying homage to the late, great, supreme sarangi musician and vocalist Ustad Sultan Khan, Karsh Kale delivers something quite unique and impeccable that has simply left us in awe. Originally composed with Ust. Sultan Khan, Salim Merchant and Kale felt that the Coke Studio platform was the perfect method to deliver such a spine tingling performance and fittingly, Ust. Sultan Khan’s son Sabir Khan takes centrestage to deliver such a beautiful, emotional and spellbinding performance via the sarangi. Arranged to perfection, the double-time snares, rousing tabla percussion and breathtaking strings really lift this emotional number to a place that leaves one almost speechless. One of, if not, the best performance ever seen on Coke Studio by a long shot respectably leaving something behind that Ust. Sultan Khan would be proud of.

Karsh Kale feat Shilpa Rao + Warren Mendosa – Hallelujah

Mixing elements of personal experiences into the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah, Karsh takes the helm to vocal the arrangement alongside songstress Shilpa Rao who infuses elements of Jhoola, a childhood song of hers to enhance this relatable song about pain and glory of love. Keeping the composition the same as previously heard, the track is based on Warren Mendosa’s Ode to A Sunny Day arrangement which seems to fit so well with lyrics of Hallelujah and with Mendosa delivering a splendid guitar solo, the performance is just short of breathtaking.

Karsh Kale feat Shruti Pathak, Benny Dayal + Mandeep Sethi – Glorious

Having showcased their efforts previously in the episode, Karsh enlists the talents of Benny Dayal and Mandeep Sethi once again to perform alongside multi-lingual sweet vocalist Shruti Pathak. Based on an 88 BPM drum and bass groove, the often key changing performance features sweeping flute and melodic piano pieces, we were often asking ourselves the need for incorporating Sethi on such a moving, emotional arrangement.

Karsh Kale feat Shilpa Rao, Shruti Pathak, Monali Thakur + Apeksha Dandekar – Shedding Skin

You would think trying to arrange four great female vocalists would be a feat for anybody but Kale makes lighwork of it. Incorporating the sounds of the dholak, Shredding Light is a song that talks about the transformation of a young female’s life and the smooth transitional arrangement applied seems to gel this performance so elegantly well. Focusing again around the flute, Mendosa’s raw electric guitar is fluttered throughout with the four vocalists providing angelic, stellar performances.

Karsh Kale feat Monali Thakur – Dil Cheez

It’s amazing how emotive the sarangi can be and Kale utilises it to perfect effect to reconstruct the classic Dil Cheez from the 1981 film Umrao Jaan. A fitting reinterpretation of the Asha Bhosle original with vocalist Monali Thakur executing her versatility by switching from Hindi to English so easily well. Karsh Kale provides an easy-to-listen-to arrangement with the sound of his tabla accompanying with Ravi Chary’s enchanting sitar.

A voice that has been kept under wraps while a pursuit of academia took precedence and a subsequent period abroad as he successfully scaled professional heights; an epitome of the present-day Punjabi striving to achieve, excel in the world and indeed rise to the upper echelons of society.

Having already a forged a formidable singing reputation following his alliance with Moviebox, now Switzerland based vocalist Tej Hundal is back for the long haul with illustrious  composer and music  producer Ravi Bal, responsible for Malkit Singh’s Midas Touch, Surjit Khan’s Headliner and most recently Avtar Maniac’s Haneri, enlisted for musical duties on this 8-track solo project.

Considering Hundal’s background, it is only apt that this fresh venture be named Punjabian Da Raaj. With Ravi Bal at the ship’s helm, his unmistakeable knack of nurturing fledgling talent is key to this partnership coming into fruition. Having a track record elevating the careers of the likes of Lakhwinder Wadali and Preet Harpal amongst others, Hundal’s potent vocal chords are ideal ingredients for Bal to wield his wand upon and yield results for an international audience.

A turbocharged curtain-raiser lies in wait as the title track Punjabian Da Raaj (Ravi Bal Mix) is intended to set proceedings off to a flyer and does precisely that with plenty of gusto from Tej Hundal who is propelled by Ravi Bal’s indomitable musical input.

As the expression goes, “start as you mean to go on” and Hundal does not hesitate in fluent vocal delivery all the while maintaining an all-important razor-edge on this stirring opener with the iconic GT Road at its heart.  PDR also gives an insight into his astonishing, unending range and natural ability to hit challenging notes at ease.

Famed for his seamless innovation and capacity to inject spark into his work, the lynchpin Ravi Bal once more serves up a pumped-up, beat-centric composition designed to take you by surprise on Naina Vale Teer (RBP Head Bop Mix). Despite the  unfamiliar surroundings, Hundal’s versatility shines through ensuring he does not play second-fiddle.

Lined with the boisterous buzz of the algozey is Nakhre (Ravi Bal Desi Mix) and an opportunity for the singer to vent his frustration and make it clear that enough is enough, the emotional-turmoil must end! Producer Bal slips in classy harmonium pieces and ties it all together with folk percussion full of inexplicable appeal.

Teri Fida sees the duo completely ease off the accelerator and create a graceful, easy-listening experience which neatly unites a traditional folk composition alongside a contemporary, minimal soundscape shaped by understated synths and all-around composed exploits on keys.

The ante is upped on  Hon Takre (Ravi Bal Karkoo Mix) where Tej Hundal shifts into combative mode as the vocalist engages a stranglehold on the RBP arrangement to ruthless effect! The pair produce another feat of agile, inspired execution on the urban-angled number coming in the form of Pehle Tor Di.

Accomplished songstress Rani Randeep harmoniously pitches in at the tail-end of album to join the lead protagonist for the scintillating party duet entitled Dollar Ta Pound (Ravi Bal Paisa Mix) with the “Wizard” Ravi Bal integral to making it rain! Diamond-cut chords galore, tumbi strewn wildly and signature RBP percussion will compel you to clap along as both singers perform at full-tilt. However, Tej Hundal’s ace in the hole, a jaw-dropping switch in singing octave takes centre stage and equips the chorus with extra firepower!

Ha Karde rhythmically concludes proceedings with its regimented backdrop and Hundal matching its punchiness with yet another display worth its weight in gold. As per the song, the only question that remains is whether his efforts gain approval?…

Please support the artists by legally purchashing Punjabian Da Raaj for only £3.99 from iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Synonymous with Bollywood OST excellence, two thirds of Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy join Coke Studio to infuse some of their jazz, rock, blues influences onto a track that collates Panjabi verses from Waris Shah and Baba Ghulam Farid masterpieces. Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa have been the spearhead composers behind some of the most influential albums that have appeared throughout the past two decades which began from their first significant break in 2001 with Dil Chahta Hai. Album successes such as Kal Ho Naa Ho, Bunty Aur Babli (Kajra Re) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in the early 2000′s really propelled the trio into the spotlight beginning arguably the best periods of their career. Picking up accolades throughout the past five years, their fusion of Western bar blues and synth sounds with Indian classical styles such as Sufi and Hindustani was likened by masses, and this Coke Studio session picks up right from where they left off!

Subhan Allah (Glorious is God) begins with vocalist, now turned actor, Jasbir Jassi providing quite a scintillating shehr that really surprised us showcasing the control and unique tone in his skill set. We actually can’t express our praise enough for the vocal from Jassi. With backing provided from a choir of seven strong, the performance leads into the main section which is sandwiched with riffs galore and more snare and cymbal than in a Neil Peart tribute band! Superb vocals and percussion aside, there was an element of over-production within the performance which felt almost rigid at times, leaving the arrangement almost a bit too constrained. Perhaps thinking of their typical Bollywood audience, sticking to their guns was perhaps the duo’s safest option but loosening the shackles could have made this performance great to really great.

Click here for lyrics

From the instant we first laid ears on the initial promo for Time Naal, we had a strong inkling this may be a chart-topper in the making and despite competition from other corners, this colourful Manak-E and Kaos Productions joint venture has indeed taken an early lead ahead of its rivals this week. However, we anticipate this single will be more than just a one-week wonder and has the legs to go the distance and dominate dancefloors.

Partnering up with Kaos Productions for the first time since joining VIP Records, the stalwart veteran of the scene takes centre stage on this exceptionally no-nonsense, full-on family entertainer of a track that promises to resonate with the masses. With Manak-E adopting a paternal persona, Time Naal revolves about a father’s strict, bordering on an iron fist approach to parenthood and dealing with his ever-so disobedient, unable to keep track of time offspring!

Alongside Manak-E on this uncompromising, take no prisoners mission is the similarly formidable production outfit Kaos Productions, who have seen a meteoric rise through their impressive grind on Saini Surinder’s Mundra, Jasjot Singh Ghuman’s Yellow Brick Road EP and more recently the unstoppable Gurbhej Brar and his album Panjabi Touch.

Here, the clever ticking of a clock acts as useful extension of the theme and the producers even work in the ominous, clattering sound of a father’s “helping-hand” to great percussive effect! The groovy chord riff, purposeful harmonium pieces and synths brimming with grandeur cap a thoroughly solid production that, admittedly, is less folk than we’re used to from Kaos Productions and instead geared towards crowd-appeal, but the team pull off the transition with remarkable ease and leave us with an unforgettable hookline.

Sticking with the song’s universal concept, VIP Records kept us waiting on the much anticipated Guvy Heer-directed visuals too! Well, here they are and we must say they tie-in cohesively with Manak-E emphatically whipping his three sons into shape. Please support the artists by purchasing Time Naal from iTunes now.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Nirmohiya – Devendra Pal Singh + Harshdeep Kaur

Almost unsuprisingly, Coke Studio delivers another peach of a collection of live performances for Episode 3 which was lead this week by Amit Trivedi, an upcoming composer and musician who’s most recent successes included the Dev.D soundtrack, which won Trivedi numerous accolades in 2009.

What we’re finding with each different composer each week is the variance of structure with every ensemble they bring, some with particular focus on percussion and beat section, some centre around the strings and groove builders etc. Trivedi this week opts to really focus on bringing elements into a live performance which we wouldn’t normally hear, good example being Nirmohiya which brings forward the excellent clarinetist sensation Shankar Tucker. Adding that extra bit of sweetness to the the smooth hot jazz, swing-like composition, Indian Idol finalist Devendra Pal Singh partners perfectly with another rising sensation of our time, Harshdeep Kaur who deliver the song that details endurance, anticipation and love written so elegantly by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

Chaudhary is another song about a person’s wanting for love delivered in a composition that utilise elements from Rajasthani folk music with a unique spin. A fusion of the traditional khartal, dholak, guitars and the sarangi taking centre stage, Mame Khan who resides within the Manganiar community delivers this sweet powerful but restrained Hindi/Marwari track with the perfect amount of emotion.

Chaudhary – Mame Khan

We were honoured to be given the opportunity to get an exclusive first listen of Tarli Digital’s soon to be released, this Thursday 19^th July to be precise, fourth-studio album #DigiTaal. We were eager to witness first-hand what Tarli had up his sleeve and how he had constructed this 12-track album that somewhat surprisingly is rumoured to be his last. So let us get straight into the action!

Track 1 – The DigiTaal Intro (feat. Hollywood Harv)

As a fan of his work providing much humour over the years on numerous releases and with him lending his comedic brilliance on Tarli’s previous album Project Rehab on Kholo Kholo Dat, it was only apt the one and only Hollywood Harv return on the latest release. With algozey, dhad, dhol and sarangi as well as an ample slice of bass you can’t really go wrong and Tarli goes all out folk on this intro as Harv traces the “musical genius/mad-man’s” footsteps and colourfully outlines #DigiTaal’s premise.

Track 2 – Mittran Da Naa Karde (feat. Dalvinder Singh & The Dhol Foundation), Lyrics: Happy Bains (UK)

Released two weeks before the album, Mittran De Naa Karde or MDNK for short has been doing the rounds on our TV screens and on the airwaves and in the main has received widespread credit for its lively characteristics stemming from the incredible catchy lyrics written by Happy Bains, the string pieces and the TDF percussive backbone. As we’ve noted before, having worked with each other for a decade, Dalvinder and Tarli have realised what works and MDNK hits the sweet-spot for both.

Track 3 – Kudi Sapni Vargi (feat. Nishawn Bhullar), Lyrics: Balraj Bhullar (India)

After the buzz created prior to this track it would be a shame to let that momentum fizzle out but Tarli presses on with yet another raucous track alongside the “Folkstar” Nishawn Bhullar and a track we’ve eagerly anticipated since Tarli lifted the lid on the line-up! With 2 solo albums under his belt already, Bhullar is no spring-chicken and shows on Kudi Sapni Vargi why he is highly regarded. The brilliant composition carved by Tarli is eaten up by the quick-on-the-draw singer as the staccato chords coupled with the cheeky flute and deadly bassline inflict substantial damage. Though we’ve all heard tracks of this lyrical nature before, Kudi Sapni Vargi ticks all the right boxes and we consider this track to be a contender to receive the video treatment.

Click here to read more