22
May
2011
Old School Sunday – Heera “Nach Diyan Dowain Soniyan”
I don’t really have to make any introductions for this track, as it was one of the biggest songs of my generation.
The album also featured the hits “Nach Ke Dikha”, “Tappe”, “Sas Kutni”, and “Rabbaa Ki Kariye”.
And what Heera related post can I write, without saying Deepak Khazanchi is a Don.
18
Oct
2009
Old School Sunday – Kala Preet “Us Pardes Ki”
You know Kala Preet from one of my favourite songs I posted about right here
Well here is a video made for a 1989 documentary by Gurinder Chadha titled “I’m British But…” The song was originally recorded on the 1986 “Shava Shava” album, but this video was made later for the above documentary.
The group shot the video on Southall Broadway, a la Beatles style (on top of a store roof.) Nirmal Kumar Nirmal was the original singer of this song on the 1986 album, but he later left the group to form his own band.
This version of the song in this video, was resung by Moni, as he is featured in the video.
11
Oct
2009
Old School Sunday – Heera “Boliyan”
Unlike the number of “producers” out there today, there were only a handful of them back in the 1980′s. Deepak Khazanchi was one of the best. Look into some of your favourite albums, and you will most likely see his name in the credits.
Bhangra Fever Vol. 1 (1987) was Deepak’s first attempt at remixing songs. Included in this cassette, were some new Heera “Boliyan.” Heera had just released Diamonds From Heera before the release of this cassette, so let’s just say their stock was hot at the time.
I had the chance of meeting Deepak Khazanchi at a concert after party here in Toronto a few years back. I made sure I bought my Bhangra Fever cassette with me for him to sign. When I showed him the cover, he was overly cheesed that I had it, and went around showing all his band mates (Jagjit Singh’s band) and friends, that someone still had it, before he eventually went on to sign it. I remember telling him back then that you need to produce an album for old times sake. He responded by saying that something was in the pipeline, but alas, nothing has come of that convo because we still haven’t seen or heard anything.
Heera “Boliyan”
7
Dec
2008
Old School Sunday – Alaap “Gabhroo Jawan Munde Paun Bhangra”
This is my favourite Alaap song. “Bhabiye Ni Bhabiye” was nice, but it doesn’t come into the same realm when it comes to the musical intensity of this song.
Off the 1994 album titled “It’s Boom,” the Dhol and Tumbi dominated track was another classic produced by Deepak Khazanchi.
28
Sep
2008
Old School Sunday – Kala Preet “Gidhay Wich Nach Di Dey”
This weeks Old School Sunday is a song that brings back many memories for me. It was one of the first songs I remember dancing to at house parties.
It’s also about the same time I got acquainted with the work of Deepak Khazanchi.
1986 was around the time Deepak Khazanchi founded the Arishma music label, and Kala Preet’s “Shava Shava” was the third album released. Deepak played a vital role in the production, as he played the Guitar, Keyboard and the Santoor for the album, as well as providing the engineering behind it.
I had the chance to meet Deepak Khazanchi a few years ago, and I made sure I took my Bhangra Fever Vol. 1 cassette along for him to autograph. Deepak was touring with Jagjit Singh at the time, and for some reason when I asked for a picture with Deepak, Jagjit Singh thought it would be more appropriate that he include himself in the photograph. I had to put Jags in his place though, when I told him I only wanted a picture with the great Deepak Khazanchi.
Lyrics for the song are sung by Nirmal Kumar Nirmal, who didn’t stick with the band for too long and went on to ironically start a band named Shava Shava.
7
Sep
2008
Old School Sunday – Holle Holle “Holle Holle”
This weeks Old School Sunday is an ode to one of the pioneers of UK Bhangra music. Deepak Khazanchi changed the way music sounded and produced by introducing electronic synthesizers to UK Bhangra.
Holle Holle was a band formed by former Alaap member Manjeet Khondal. Their bands first song was also titled “Holle Holle.” As well as being featured on Holle Holle’s album, it was featured on Deepak Khazanchi’s “Bhangra Fever Vol. 1″ which is probably one of Bhangra’s most important and best remixed compilation album to this day.
For some reason when I listen to this song, I remember two things; How shiny peoples suits were when they were dancing to this song on “Network East,” and kids singing “Holle Holle Alloo Parotheh.”
