15
Feb
2011
23
Nov
2009
Purchase “Unity (Asi Haan Punjabi)”
Last week I posted about the charity project all of the old school UK Bhangra artists were getting together to do.
Well here is the link to purchase from iTunes.
Purchase “Asi Haan Punjabi” Here.
15
Nov
2009
Old School Sunday – Unity “Asi Haan Punjabi” (Behind the Scenes)
This week’s Old School Sunday video is from two weeks ago. Yep, two weeks ago.
Every year, the BBC in the UK, host a charity event “Children in Need.” They do the whole Telethon bit, and this year, it’ll have an old school UK Bhangra flavour.
“Unity,” a whole bunch of old school artists, have got together and produced a song for the benefit, and as you can see below, a video is in the works.
Going by the number of artists associated with the song, I figured today would be as good as time as any for this video. Check out my favourite band growing up – Apna Sangeet – steal the spotlight.
I heard the song on BBC Radio this past week, and it’s not exactly a dance floor filler, but it is a great track, and I can tell you that Shin (DCS) ripped it.
The “Unity” performance on Television takes place on November 20, 2009. As I get more details, I’ll keep you all updated.
13
Sep
2009
Old School Sunday – Sardara S. Gill “Gideh Wich”
The group may be back together again, but I still liked Sardara S. Gill’s vocals over K.S. Bhamrah’s.
That being said, this track was HOT back in 1995. Released off his solo album “Pure Magic,” this track caught my attention because of the intro music. I would play this at parties, but then soon realised that the track is a tad slow to dance to, and a bit on the long side.
An interesting tidbit about the musical production of this song, is that it was the Jagpal brothers (Bally and Bhota) that produced it. Also, that killer tumbi was played by Balwinder Safri.
Sardara S. Gill – “Gideh Wich”
10
Sep
2009
The Return of Apna Sangeet
That’s right people! Sardara S. Gill and K.S. Bhamrah had a sit down last month, and agreed to put their differences aside in order to get back together and form Apna Sangeet.
They will be performing at a gig in Birmingham at the end of the month alongside Malkit Singh, and promise to perform with a full live band, as well as premiere two new tracks on their upcoming album set to be released next year.
My question is, will Gurcharan Mall be in the fold on stage doing his crazy Dholi antics?
Will the group try and go for the nineties sound that kind of saw their demise, or stick to their original sound?
Will people still appreciate the Apna Sangeet sound that we adored in the eighties?
Will UK Producers like Sukshinder Shinda, PBN jump on behind the decks to produce for them?
I saw Apna Sangeet perform live at more wedding receptions than any other group back in the 1980′s, and they were by far my favourite band, so you can say I am more than a little bit excited. But as excited as I am in anticipating this comeback, I will have to somewhat withhold it until I hear some more news, and get answers to the above questions.
Keep it locked.
30
Aug
2009
Old School Sunday – “Taj Mahal’s Megamix” & “Dhol Crawlers”
This weeks Old School Sunday keeps it homegrown.
Representing Gerrard India Bazaar in the city of Toronto, DJ Taj Mahal (who owns Taj Mahal Audio Centre) put together this album in 1993.
The first track, an eight minute megamix, contains songs from a variety of UK bands and singers, blended with some of the best Hip Hop beats of that time.
Taj Mahal’s Megamix
I have to be honest, mostly because my sister is sitting right here (and it was indeed her cassette purchase.) I had a hard time digging music like this because of what I thought was a lack of creativity on the part of DJ’s back then in North America, who would release popular Bhangra tracks smashed with a popular Hip Hop beat. Maybe I’ve matured (unlikely) or there just isn’t anything good out there right now (more likely) that I can appreciate this track even more now.
All in all there were five tracks on the cassette, and since I’m digging the music on this next track as well, because it’s got two banging samples, let’s make this a double dose.
Dhol Crawlers (Housing)
21
Jun
2009
Old School Sunday – Apna Sangeet “Akhien Udeek Dhean”
I just love this album, so here is another track from Apna Sangeet’s 1992 album, Jam To the Bhangra.
This time, the group covers “Akhien Udeek Dhean.” You may be familiar with the track by the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan version, but Apna Sangeet stylized it with a Michael Jackson “Jam” sample.
24
May
2009
Old School Sunday – United Kulture “Disco Nu Chhad Ke”
This weeks Old School Sunday is from local T-Dot boys United Kulture.
United Kulture was a group comprised of Total Eclipse, N V us and 6 Pak.
The only cassette of theirs that I have (and the only one they have released as far as I know – correct me if I’m wrong) contains the Apna Sangeet track “Disco Nu Chhad Ke.” I really liked this track back in 1994. It has a cool intro, and a kicking bass line, and for awhile, I thought this group could do some great things for Bhangra in the city.
I must also add, the cover artwork is also very creative, and there is a line on the inlay that I enjoyed reading back in the day;
“The Punjabi Hardcore. The posers came and vanished but only the true Bhangramaniacs survived. This tape is dedicated to you!”
26
Apr
2009
Old School Sunday – Sardara S. Gill “Sajna Veh Sajna”
This weeks Old School Sunday, is an ode to Gurdas Maan through the voice of Sardara S. Gill.
Whoever sings this song, it is one of my favourites (of course when Gurdas sings it, it is even more special.) Whenever I hear it, I feel like the song takes my imagination away to the Pind, and isn’t that what good music is about?
The album, “Jam To the Bhangra” was released in 1992, with production handled by the signature sound of Amarjit Sidhu. What’s interesting about the album, was the lack of K.S. Bhamra, but Sardara employed the rest of the band.
The album contained six tracks, of which at least five of the songs are classics. Check the heat;
Track 1 – Kamlee Yaar Dhe Kamlee
Track 2 – Manke Te Manka
Track 3 – Soho Road (Returns)
Track 4 – Akhien Udeek Dhean
Track 5 – Apna Sangeet Sings Apna Sangeet
Track 6 – Sajna Veh Sajna
WOW!
22
Jan
2009
Vancouver International Bhangra Competition
Oh boy! It’s Bhangra competition season, and one of the biggest in North America is VIBC.
In it’s fifth year, the competition is bringing in some entertaining options on the Canadian and UK Bhangra music front.
Starting on February 12, the City of Bhangra Festival will lead up to the competition.
February 20th and the 21st will see downtown Vancouver enjoying a street festival with performances by past winners of VIBC, as well as performances by En Karma and Delhi2Dublin
The eight teams vying for the $5,000 grand prize, will highlight the climax of this event on the evening of February 21.
Also performing that night will be Old School UK Bhangra legends Apna Sangeet, Heera and H-Dhami.
Click on the Flyer for details, or hit up VIBC.org
