9
Nov
2010
Panjabi MC “The RAJ” Promos
With much hype, but no substantial releases over the Summer (what happened B21?) we now move along to some hopefully eventual Fall releases.
First up, we have the imminent release November 15th release of Panjabi MC’s “The RAJ.”
“Moorni”
“Big Day Party”
“Nach Di Di”
“Jatti”
“Salute”
“Mundian Di Kher”
“Akh Da Eshara”
“The Raj”
“Dil Mor De”
“What You Feeling”
“Kuri Punjaban”
“Freaky Like That”
“Pambooka”
“Panjab In Here”
“Sox In Da Air”
“Kee Lagh Da” (Dance Remix)
“Moorni” (Dance Remix)
“Panjaban” (Dance Remix)
After giving these a listen, I came up with a few thoughts.
It sounds like this album picks up right where “Indian Timing” left off, with subtle hints of some throwback production a la “Grass Roots” in the “Jatti” track.
I’m always piping on about progression in one’s own production values and releases, but is it just me, or does it sound like PMC is just mailing it in?
Don’t get me wrong, a PMC at 50% is better than a majority of the producers out there today working at 100%. But I really miss the days of a Panjabi MC album, where I could listen to it from start to finish. This album has a few standout songs, with the unmistakable PMC sound, but half of the tracks sound the same. How many of the tracks sound like they use the same tumbi (or iTumbi) sample?
Furthermore, is he really using the iTumbi to produce? My friend pointed out this awhile ago, that his tumbi sounds artificial (this was before iTumbi was even released.) it didn’t seem apparent (or I just didn’t want to admit to it) last year, but it sounds like a glaring truth now.
All said, my UK Bhangra demanding ears have been starved for months for something of quality material, so I will cop this album for sure, but more than anything, I miss the pre-legalised PMC.
Purchase the album on Amazon.com on November 15.
1
Apr
2009
Panjabi MC “Panjaban” Video
Panjabi MC’s second video off of “Indian Timing” is here, and of all the tracks on the album, I’m surprised that he picked this one.
It’s a somewhat standard video, barring the fact it’s not based in a club, but no Jelhi in the video either. Come on P, let’s see Jelhi!
I wasn’t feeling this track on the album, and the video hasn’t changed my opinion about it either. Hopefully, in the next video we’ll see some of the bangers from the album (Indian Timing, Can’t Stop Us.)
What’s your take?
8
Dec
2008
Thoughts on “Indian Timing”
The fans have spoken up, and the general consensus is that UK Bhangra needs saving. The situation at times seem dire, but then you have a month like November, when two huge acts (Tigerstyle and PMC) each put out an album around the same time, and you think to yourself “We’re saved.”
Panjabi MC hadn’t released an album of original work since “Steel Bangle” in 2005, and whenever the man releases an album, he brings the funk.
He goes on record saying that the album is basically a number of songs he has produced and refined while he was on tour across the world.
“Snake Charmer” has been out for a few years. In fact, you could scope out some YouTube videos of PMC playing it in the clubs to a frenzied reception.
Another story I heard was that “Bhet Ke Roh Len De” came together when “Sharpp,” a U.S. based MC stalked and pleaded with P to put him on the album. PMC complied and coupled him with a tea server he heard singing to himself in India.
Glimpses into stories like that help add to the sentiment that PMC is indeed an elite producer.
Is this Panjabi MC’s best work to date? No. It isn’t close to the level of “Legalised.” I found that while listening to the album, there were quite a few harmonies that had been recycled, as well as a lot of sounds that I was familiar with in his previous recordings. “Aaja Sohniya (Part 1)” has a ridiculous resemblance to “Mirza Part 2.”
Is this album better than 85% of the kitschy stuff released this year? Yes.
But I still find myself questioning the brilliantness of this album.
Do we like the album because the album comes from a person that has generated so many hits for us in the past that almost anything he releases is like the Midas touch so to speak?
Would we have the same feelings towards some of the songs on the album if anyone else’s name was on the cover besides Panjabi MC?
I get stuck at those questions, because I truly believe that PMC hasn’t transcended. He still has his best work still left in him. My only hope is that the industry is still around the next time he decides to release something.
Top 5 Tracks
08. Indian Timing (Jeona Morh)
01. Can’t Stop Us
03. Snake Charmer
07. Kee Lagh Da
14. Boliyan
Buy Indian Timing here
11
Nov
2008
Panjabi MC – “Snake Charmer” Video
PMC’s first video for the upcoming album “Indian Timing.” This song has been out for a couple of years, and now it is the lead single.
The album is set for release on November 17, 2008.
21
Oct
2008
PMC Behind the Scenes at BBC Asian Network
Here’s a cool video of Panjabi MC from last week, when he premiered his tracks from Indian Timing on the Friction Show.
That’s right he said he has a Bentley parked outside. How many UK Bhangra artists have one of those?
17
Oct
2008
Panjabi MC on Friction
Panjabi MC was on the Friction show last night, and I managed to catch the interview as well as get an exclusive listen to some of the tracks coming off “Indian Timing.”
Here’s the rundown from the show:
It had been six years since Panjabi MC had appeared on any radio show, and it was definitely a wise choice to accept Bobby’s invitation to have a sit down in the studio.
PMC’s take on Jeona Mohr:
The rap in the track wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular, but more towards record labels and the lack of infrastructure in the industry.
PMC’s take on the album:
PMC had produced 60 dub plates while on tour, and eventually he knew that he had to put out an album. He originally planned to only have ten tracks on the album, but twenty seemed more right. According to him, 16 of the tracks are hits.
“Snakecharmer,” which has been hovering around the internets for some time now, is the official single with a forthcoming video release.
PMC said that the album will be under pressed, meaning that once all the copies are sold, you won’t be able to find any originals anywhere.
He also said, that if you order the album from his website, he will personally pack the CD and mail it to you.
He was on the show for over an hour just playing track after track. As you know, “Jeona Mohr” is on my infinite play list at the moment, but it soon may be trumped by “Can’t Stop Us.” The track is simply bananas! As soon as the Tumbi kicked in, I got this spine tingling sensation, and then an absolute militant beat kicks in with a Dhol. Seriously dope stuff people!
A lot of people are pegging “Kee Lagh Da” as the “it” track, but I’m telling you right now from what I heard; Can’t Stop Us > Kee Lagh Da
He also played a track which sampled the A-Team theme music in it. That’s like the third TV show theme he’s pimped.
What next? Air Wolf? Street Hawk? Beverly Hills 90210?
You can check the interview out on Friction’s site until next Wednesday (BBC Asian Network link in sidebar)
The album drops on November 1. To order your copy of Indian Timing, and to get it mailed out to you by PMC himself, head to PMC Records
15
Oct
2008
Panjabi MC’s Jeona Mohr Inspiration
What would we do without Panjabi MC?
First off, I cannot stop listening to “Jeona Mohr.” Like I said previously, PMC’s rap in the track is aimed at the Kray Twinz and at Specialist and Tru Skool. I still don’t know why he has beef with Tru Skool, but here’s the rundown from what I could find out about the story behind “Mundian To Bach Ke.”
Panjabi MC rolled with Specialist and Tru Skool and the Kray Twinz back in the day.
Panjabi MC’s original Mundian To Bach Ke did not sound like the version we are all accustomed to, but since he was tight with the Kray Twinz, he gave them the record to mix at clubs. The Kray Twinz took it upon themselves to mix the original Mundian To Bach Ke with the Busta Rhymes song “Fire it Up” aka the Knight Rider beat. PMC heard the mix and released the song with the new beat. The friction started when the Kray Twinz didn’t get any recognition for what they did to the track.
Back to Jeona Mohr.
PMC smashed it. He dissed the crews, while at the same time involving lyrics such as “Apa ki larkeh lena?” “What do we get with fighting?”
I had previously posted the track from the Friction show, here is a clean version to listen to.
Also, I found the original movie the song is from. Forward to the 1:40 mark. After listening to the video, it seems like PMC’s production for the track was minimalistic, yet, that makes the track that much more better.
True to form, “Indian Timing” has been delayed to be released on November 1st.
10
Sep
2008
Panjabi MC “Jeona Mohr”
Here’s an exclusive clip of one of Panjabi MC’s songs from the upcoming album “Indian Timing.” It was on the Friction show on the Asian Network on Monday night.
The track is called “Jeona Mohr,” and it is classic PMC. The track is dark, but the beat totally fuses well with the lyrics. I don’t know how P does it, but the lyrical styling is moving, just like how “Raat Da Na Bole” and “Mirza Part 2″ stirs up a certain emotion inside of you, I get the same feeling with this one.
But there is more to it. Apparently the PMC rap is a dig at the Kray Twinz. I was telling you before, that the Kray Twinz had a hand in the “Mundian To Bach Ke” track and were not credited for it. Well, it looks like there is definitely more to the story. Friction said he will get to the bottom of this, and as soon as he finds out, you will too.
A diss track in Bhangra? I think this is a first. Publicity stunt? Who knows.
21
Aug
2008
Panjabi MC “Indian Timing”
This year has already had some decent releases, but it’s about to get bigger and badder. PMC is set to release a 20 track album in a big way.
“Indian Timing,” which PMC says was created while on tour, will be released in the shops on October 11th.
I don’t think this will be as good as Legalised, but what he is doing as far as going about selling the album in Limited Edition Sets is a great ploy.
Head on over to PMC Records to check the samples.
