31
Dec
2009
The Best Songs of 2009
Capping the series of year end posts, let’s deal with the best songs of 2009.
There were a lot of albums released this year, and every album released, should have at least one “it” song. This list I have compiled is not based on sales, or anyone else chatting in my ear. The only thing in my ear was the music itself. People’s taste in music is subjective – but you guys should take me as an authority on this subject anyways (joke) – So the way I chose these songs, is based on what got the most airplay in my mp3 player.
Number 10 – PBN featuring Miss Pooja “Aashiq”
If there is one thing that the UK Bhangra industry in 2009 may be known for, it’s the rise in fame of Miss Pooja. Seems like everyone loves her. Everyone except me. But she still made the list – with PBN’s production skills of course – due to the fact this one song had a huge effect on the dance floors across the world.
Number 9 – Northern Lights featuring Ashok Gill “Nakreh”
This was an awesome debut song, and video for Northern Lights. I’ve talked enough about how good this album is, so enjoy the video.
Number 8 – Twin Beats featuring Jaswinder Daghamia “Twins Tappe”
I still can’t get enough of this track, the dhol intro is just too sick.
Number 7 – Jus Ritz featuring Raj Kaul and RKZ “Nehio Nibhani”
You may be surprised with this selection, but like I said in the intro, this track got crazy airplay from me. I was impressed with Ritz’ first track “Tere Na Te Glassy,” but when this track came out, it was like “whoa!” RKZ and Raj Kaul smashed it, and the video is a positive piece of work as well.
Number 6 – DJ Dips featuring Ashok Gill “Ek Gera”
Look at that, the vocals of Ashok Gill make the list twice. This track by DJ Dips did not get the video treatment. Quite surprising since it’s the best song on the album.
Number 5 – JK “Pat Liyah”
JK and Tru-Skool have made a killer combination, and although we’re still waiting on a full album release, this song held me over just well. I was mad at whoever made the decision to slowly release just singles after singles, but now I’ve changed my mind. These days, variety is the spice of life, and listening to one artist for ten songs straight get’s a little boring.
Number 4 – Dark MC featuring Jaswinder Daghamia “Chori Chori Takna”
This track is a monster, Dark MC gave us some great tracks a few years ago on “It’s Getting Dark in Here,” and although this album I feel, was a letdown, the one track you would find yourself continuously rocking out to is “Chori Chori Takna” with vocals provided by Jaswinder Daghamia. If you haven’t heard it, by all means go and search for it. I can’t post the video due to the lovely games MovieBox like to play.
Number 3 – Taj-E featuring Bee2 “B.I.G.”
In my opinion this is the biggest UK Bhangra dance floor track. Not many people recognise it as much as “Aashiq” on these ends still, but trust me when I say, I listened to this song almost as much as….
Number 2 – Swami “Sugarless”
Since the inception of Bhangraw.com, I’ve raved on and on about Swami. So why stop now? Even when I talk to people about Swami, they look at me as if I’m preaching about someone (I must admit, at times it sounds like I am.) This track continued in the footsteps of where they left off with the tracks on “Equalise” except, this was 100% all Swami right down to the lyrics.
Number 1 – Imran Khan “Amplifier”
I hate to admit it, but I ended up listening to this track more than anything towards the latter part of this year. Yikes! Any get together for any type of party, and it was this track that brought the masses together in a drunken stupor, trying to act out all the lyrics “On kara A/C!!!” Of course, if it wasn’t for the production of Eren E (who I think Imran Khan should take a bullet for if that should ever happen) on this track, it wouldn’t be as massive as it turned out to be. With the solid production, came that darn infectiously memorisable chorus “Nai woofer heh tu meri…meri, meh tera amplifier…FIRE!” And if that isn’t proof enough, the video has over 2.6 million views!
Go ahead, judge, criticise, mock. But these ten songs will go down for me as the biggest of 2009.
3
Nov
2009
Northern Lights – “Nakreh” Video & “Re-Lit” Release
After the success of their 2006 release “Sparked,” Northern Lights is back with the release of “Re-Lit”
If you don’t remember “Sparked,” you missed some anthems in the form of “Aashiq Dig Dig,” “Billo Tere Nakreh,” “Janaab” and my personal favourite “Wrong Number” – which used the Clipse’s “Grindin” sample in a ridiculously sick way.
The first video to be released off the new album is “Nakreh” sung by Ashok Gill.
Not a bad track eh? I still have an issue with the lyric “Saal Solama Chari Jawani” but what can you do?
Since I posted this video after the release of the album, I thought I’d chat a bit about the album.
It has a wide array of musical genres, and I think it is really well made, and also somewhat different than what we have recently been hearing.
It’s got a total of sixteen tracks, of which six to eight I say, should be guaranteed locks to be in your mp3 player.
Hit up the iTunes store and listen to the following tracks;
“Put Jattan da Bounce” featuring Master Saleem. (There isn’t one Eastern instrument in the track, but it works)
“Nakreh” featuring Ashok Gill.
“Akhan de Ishareh” featuring Kaka Bhaniawala. (It’s Kaka. Nuff said)
“Ishqeh da Tumba” featuring Amrinder Bobby. (Dude has a Gurdas Maan like voice going on)
“Bindrakhia Boliyan” featuring Jaswant Heera. (It’s getting traditional now, and the homage paid to the late great is fantastic)
“Re-Lit Tappe” featuring Labh Janjua. (It’s full out traditional now, and by far my favourite Janjua track right about now)
“Gaddi” featuring Ranjit Mani. (Another great vocalist continuing the traditional vibe)
The last three tracks traditional flavour seriously has got me feeling ummm drunk? That’s how traditional they are.
There’s also a “Wrong Number” and “Janaab” remix, but I’m feeling the original version’s off “Sparked,” although this one uses the Lil Wayne “Lollipop” sample. The “Janaab” track does have a cool sounding Qawali feel to it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the scope of this album, and it definitely has got to be considered in the debate for best album this year.
25
Aug
2009
U Music “Nachle” Video
The latest DJ collabo turn Producers, going by the name of U Music are set to release their debut album “The Intro.”
The first video release “Nachle,” features the vocals of the late Kaka Bhaniawala.
I’m just not feeling the tune, it seems a little slow for a song that’s asking you to dance no?
X1X Film and Design are behind the shooting of the video, and while they do a fine job as always, what is the correlation of dancing and racing cars for a woman? If you can figure that out let a playa know.
The album also contains the vocals of Daljit Mattu, Ashok Gill, Charanjeet Chunni and more. For more info, checkout umusicent.com
