18
Mar
2010
Dhol Beat International “Medley” video
Representing the USofA, the DBI Boys are back with their fourth and most ambitious installment of their Absolut Bhangra series.
The first video from the album, showcases “Punjabiyan Dhe Dhol” (Labh Janjua) and “Mele Vich Dhol” (Amar Sandhu and DJ Impact.)
The double album releases this Friday, March 19, 2010.
For more info, hit up dholbeatinternational.com
31
Dec
2009
The Best Albums of 2009
Moving on with the best of 2009, we have the best albums.
The sole purpose of this post, is for the mere fact that people should appreciate good music, and by appreciate, I mean supporting the artists who put forth an effort to make an album made up of more than just three decent songs.
So here – in no particular order – are the top three albums of 2009.
Northern Lights – Re-Lit
The album featured sixteen tracks, of which I say seven were absolute smashes, and the rest were still pretty decent offerings in which you could manage to listen without wincing.
When I first listened to the album, I couldn’t make up my mind as to what the best song on the album was. There was a wide variety of musical styles on the album, as well as the vocalists selected were also not in your typical album.
Obviously the Kaka track has to be one of the highlights on the album, but it was tracks like “Gaddi” by Ranjit Mani that stood out. The song had an old school feel to it, and it sounded like it was paying homage to the Manak track “GT Road Te.” It just sounded like one of those songs that you see your dad singing along to, or requesting when they’re hammered.
The biggest surprise on the album had to be “Ishqeh Da Toomba.” The track was sung by Amrinder Bobby. When I first listened to it, the feeling I got was, that this dude sounds exactly like Gurdas Maan. Well it wasn’t too long before my sister pointed out that Bobby (as she knew him) was actually Gurdas Maan’s back up singer, and that he had been looking for his own record deal since the early 2000′s. Bobby has been on a few Indian singing contest shows, and most of his songs have been Gurdas Maan covers. I really hope the man’s voice is utilised more in the industry, as we all favour Gurdas Maan’s voice, but also know how much Gurdas Maan Ji does not want to be “remixed” as he likes to put it.
Twin Beats – The Sounds of Punjab
I had a good feeling about this album ever since I started corresponding with Inder (one half of Twin Beats.) Then they went and made a Reproduced segment for Bobby Friction featuring tracks from the upcoming album, and I was sold.
The album features ten tracks, of which all of them have a unique flavour, yet have big percussion in common. I don’t think I need to talk much about this album. All you need to do is check out their video’s, and you’ll recognise real. The whole album is very consistent, and in today’s time, that’s all you can ask for.
All the tracks do it for me, but the one that sticks out the most is “Twins Tappe.” This song is best enjoyed in surround sound. Seriously. When the dhol kicks in, and pans from right to left/right to left/right to left…wow! Jaswinder Daghamia has a great voice, and it’s the rawness of his vocals blended with the dhol and tumbi that makes this track killer.
Taj-E – Sik ‘n’ Twisted
This was the first album that came out this year, that when I listened to it, I didn’t feel ripped off. Sure The Sound Pipe crew really know how to market their products, and they do make some questionable signings. But this album really did a number on me.
Featuring twenty-one tracks, this album was redonkulous when I first listened to it. There are some tracks that may make you hit the next button, but on the whole, this album featured the resurrection of Juggy D with “Vang Teri.” A sick remix that accompanied it, as well as what I feel is the biggest UK Bhangra track that came out this year; “B.I.G.”
The aptly titled “B.I.G.” (because as Taj-E states; “it will be BIG on the dance floors”) is exactly that. A huge track that appeals to all generations of people. I played this track in the car with my uncles sitting in it on a memorable drive back from a party one night, and they went nuts. As I did, they instantly fell in love with the desi feel of the sample used, which made this track authentic.
If you look at the promos Taj-E released leading up to the release, you can see that he put in an honest amount of work into it, and he did it himself. There cannot be any cries of ghost producing on this album, or for that matter, any of the three albums I listed. That’s also a large reason why these albums have been chosen. Not only were they the best of ’09, but they are all products of the people who actually have their faces on the album cover that deserve the recognition.
You may also notice that last year, there were five albums on the list. Bhangra better fix up in 2010, I don’t wanna post about just one good album next year.
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.
13
Aug
2009
Dark MC “Chori Chori” Promo
I am truly looking forward to this CD. “It’s Getting Dark in Here” was a bad man’s album!
Now Dark MC is on his way back, with a new ten track album featuring what he is calling the anthem of 2009.
“Chori Chori.” features the vocals of Jaswinder Daghamia, and his vocal abilities have not been utilised by many Producers. (If you haven’t heard “Gabru Gulab Warga” on Gupsy Aujla’s album, you are missing out!)
“Incisive,” which is set to be released on the MovieBox label in the fall, will feature vocals by (Late) Kaka Bhaniawala, Nirmal Sidhu, Labh Janjua and more.
The tracks are predominantly written by Bhindi Laltonwala. I’m sure you have heard tracks written by him before, including the free downloads Dark MC gave away in June. I don’t know what’s been going on with Bhindi Laltonwala as of late, because his lyrics make me want to go out and do baaaaad things.
22
Jul
2009
Dhol Beat International – Absolut Bhangra 4
Award winning, North American based DBI, are set to release a double album. Consisting of a wholly produced album, as well as a Planet Recordz compilation album.
I’m not sure why, but Labh Janjua sounds an awful lot like Herbie Sahara. Nonetheless, this could be a big album, and another big stepping stone for the North American Bhangra industry.
Release dates are sketchy, but should hopefully be out in the next couple of months. If you want to keep up with DBI, hit them up at dholbeatinternational.com.
21
Jul
2009
DJ Gurps “Expectations”
DJ turned Producer Gurpreet Mudher, has been in the game for a decade spinning records for top artists in the industry. Now it’s time for him to show us what he can do behind the boards with the release of his debut “Expectations.”
The ten track album, which will release at the end of July on the VIP Records label, features Manak-E, (Late) Kaka Bhaniawala, Labh Janjua, Nirmal Sidhu, Bakshi Billa and more.
(Late) Kaka Bhaniawala – Daru Peeke Nachda
Bakshi Billa – Sarwan Puttar
The first video off the album features the Manak-E track “Ous Kurri”
Frankly, after seeing the video and hearing the promos, my “expectations” have shrank.
For more info on the album, hit up viprecords.co.uk
7
May
2009
AMX “Broken Silence” Promos (Kaka Bhaniawala “Kisi Horh Banereh”)
Two years, some added tracks, and an album name change later, and I think we’re closing in on finally seeing AMX’ now titled “Broken Silence” album seeing the light of day.
AMX has publicly stated, that he took time off from releasing the album originally in ’07 to complete his degree, and being dissatisfied with the previous final product. For our patience, he has upped the number of tracks to 24, and has made us painstakingly anticipate the release of this instant classic:
Kaka Bhaniawala – Kisi Horh Banereh
I have not been able to stop listening to this, and it’s a PROMO! Initially, I was at a loss for words (in a good way.) This track sounds like a classic Dre and Mike Elizondo beat. The late Kaka Bhaniawala’s vocals sound raw, but at the same time resonate class tuneage. Seriously, this is a light up a “J” (for medicinal purposes*) music.
If you can read the artist listing on the album cover, there is a HUGE lineup;
Lehmber, Kaka, Kuldip Manak, Surinder Shinda, Amar Arshi, Surjit Bindrakhia, Angrej Ali, Pappi Gill, K.S. Bhamrah, Labh Janjua, Billa Bakshi, Ranjit Mani and more! Check out a few more promos from the album:
Lehmber Hussainpuri – Folk Kalian (Akhada)
Labh Janjua – Hik Lokan Di Sahru
Amar Arshi – Jatt Marh Da Phireh Lalkareh
Kaka Bhaniawala – Soneh Di Taweet Warga
Billa Bakshi – Naag
Mohanvir Mahli – Dil Ishq De Rang Vich (Boliyan)
I still don’t have the concrete release date, but you can be sure I will keep y’alls up to date. You can also hit up AMX at amx-productions.co.uk.
*Bhangraw does not condone the use of such substances. Stay in school/Don’t talk to strangers/Reading is fundamental KIDS.
21
Jan
2009
Metz & Trix Make Me Bipolar
I should do some catching up, after all this video was released last month along with the album “Get Ready Get Set 2.”
Some people think these guys are a joke, the rest think they’re crap.
I for one, “love” this video.
I “love” how they have the dude lip syncing not only the vocals of Labh Janjua, but Lehmber’s as well.
I “love” the tightness of the choreography.
I “love” the line “She’s the biggity biggity biggity bomb.”
I hope you “love” this video as much as I do.
So Metz and Trix just released their album last month, but already are working on a new album in the form of a mixtape. “Metz & Trix: Worldwide MixTape Vol. 1.” Releasing on their own “Fortune Records” label, it should be out sometime this year.
I have liked some of their work in the past, but it struck me recently, that the tracks I did like of theirs had strong production values, and were all 2-step/garage based. “Putt Sardaran De,” “Sah Rukh Da” and “Aaja Mahi” quickly come to mind.
Now checkout the lead track coming off the new mixtape. Produced by DS1, “Come Home With Me” has the uptempo beat that these guys excel in/can be tolerated. Also notice, there is no Punjabi lyrics in this track, so they aren’t really “wrecking” a song (for you traditionalists out there.)
The other track they are said to be working on for the mixtape so far, is Imran Khan’s track “Ni Nachle.”
The video and the audio track are a night and day difference. What do you think? Tolerable for some songs? Or should they pack it in all together?
30
Nov
2008
Old School Sunday – Panjabi MC “Mundian To Bach Ke”
In honour of Panjabi MC releasing “Indian Timing” last week, I thought I’d put this up a few weeks later a la my own Indian Timing.
This is one of the biggest tracks the industry has ever produced as well as being off of Panjabi MC’s best album, the song “Mundian To Bach Ke” needs little to be written about it.
Despite the controversy surrounding how the song came about, the story behind the video is much more simple. According to PMC (and I’m paraphrasing here,) he was driving along and he saw the video of the song playing, and he asked himself “Where did that come from?” The label had just slapped together a video to take advantage of the songs popularity.
With vocals provided by Labh Janjua, the original incarnate of what later became a genre crossing sensation, was taken from the album “Legalised” released in 1998.
This song is 10 years old! Unbelievable.
14
Aug
2008
Labh Janjua BBC Acoustic Session
I love this concept. Bobby Friction of the BBC Asian Network, got Labh Janjua in their studio to perform an acoustic set. Labh, accompanied with a Dholak, a Tabla and a Harmonium did his thing.
It’s weird but cool hearing “Mundian To Bach Ke” without the Knight Rider beat. He also performed “Sohni De Nakre” with his rendition of “Pump Up the Jam” from the Bollywood movie “Partner,” as well as “Aaja Aaja” from the DJ H & DJ Rags album.
Check Labh Janjua do his thing here.
