24
Jan
2010
Old School Sunday – Mark Morrison “Blackstabbers”
I couldn’t resist. Another Panjabi MC produced track, but with a twist, as there is nothing in Punjabi on this track besides the Alaap sample in the background.
Released in 2004, this track made its rounds everywhere. There’s nothing more I wish to add, besides these lyrics:
Who’s supposed to be ya friend?
The one that be down to the end
So what they do they stab you in the back?
What I’m supposed to do, Stab em back?
10
Jan
2010
Old School Sunday – Panjabi MC “Raat Da Na Bole”
It’s bloody cold, so I figured I bump a little summertime tuneage to heat things up a little.
I have three copies of this album. Back in 1996, this was the only thing I listened to for months.
Grass Roots, had just released when I was visiting the UK in May, 1996. I bought the cassette, which had the original six songs on it, and rinsed it back in Canada.
A few months later, upon visiting my favourite record store in Brampton (Spark Audio/Video – These guys had everything) I discovered the limited edition cassette, which featured two tracks that were only available on CD. (I was a late adopter of CDs you can say.)
Finally, I got my hands on the CD.
With Surinder Sonia on the vocals, it ended up being this track that became my favourite cut on the album. I’m a sucker for songs that make me feel like I’m in the Pind, without the song sounding that pindoo itself. Add the Will Smith “Summertime” sample, and we have a hit.
Panjabi MC featuring Surinder Sonia
Dude is making us wait far too long in between albums these days.
10
Sep
2009
Panjabi MC in Perth, Australia
Panjabi MC was recently DJing at a gig in Perth, Australia, and he posted up a couple of videos of himself in action.
Back in the day, I used to hear people saying that PMC would mix his songs before gigs, and then just press play. Clearly, today that is not the case.
PMC mixing “Main Hogaya Sharabbi” with “Crack a Bottle”
PMC mixing “Jogi” with “Hip Hop is Dead”
“Jogi” has been one of my favourite PMC joints since he first released it on “100% Proof” back in 1995. To this day, whenever I have it on, and my mum is around, she’ll still reminisce by saying “this song was performed live by Mohammad Sadiq and Ranjit Kaur at your Mamma Ji’s wedding in India in 1976.”
3
May
2009
Old School Sunday – PJD Productions “Giddyan de Rani”
Reaching back to 1996, this track came about in the era that Tru-Skool was talking about when he released “In Tha House” recently. Straight up punjabi tunes mashed with a popular Hip-Hop/R&B beat.
I rinsed this tape for months, as it had some popular mixes of some real folk tunes (“Lambran di Noh,” “Umbh da Boota,” “Main Ki Pyare Vichon.”)
This track effectively used the Shabba Ranks sample “Mr. Loverman” with a small taste of Zhanés “Hey Mr. DJ” at the end.
As far as I know, it was the only release by DJ Stin Mattu and DJ Eezback. When I picked up this tape and looked at the inside cover, I saw that it was recorded at PMC Studios. To this day, I feel like PMC has had a hand in the production, since some of the tracks and samples Panjabi MC has used, are in this album.
July 19, 2009 Edit: I got an email from DJ Stin (yes this DJ Stin) that he is DJ Stin Mattu. Dude has made mad albums since then!
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?
22
Mar
2009
Old School Sunday – Panjabi MC “Laila”
You guys are in for a treat today, because this is some rare stuff.
Back in the 90’s when I was a young lad with no drivers license, I would jump at the chance when anyone was making a trip to Malton. Back then where I was living, Malton was the closest (and best) place to buy the latest UK Bhangra cassettes.
I have been into PMC’s work since “Souled Out” was released, but became in awe of him when I was in the UK in 1996, and “Grass Roots” had just come out, and we all know how Grass Roots pretty much shaped PMC into what he is today.
Summer of 1996 (visiting Malton,) after I had come back from the UK, I was looking into the glass case where all the cassettes were kept in the store, and the above cover caught my eye. I had no clue who Ambi Bilga was, (he is in fact Jazzy B’s UK Manager) or that Sukshinder Shinda produced the album, or even Sardara S. Gill was featured on one of the songs. I saw PMC and Kuldeep Manak and my eyes lit up. Needless to say, I had never coughed up six dollars so fast.
I Grabbed the keys to the car, ripped off the plastic wrapping, and let my ears enjoy the blissful sounds of side A, track 1 – “Laila.”
Probably one of my favourite PMC tracks of all time. Just the right amount of underlying bass blended with a traditional beat to perfection.
This isn’t the first time Panjabi MC has done a track on someone else’s album. In 1995, he also did a “Megamix” on Santara’s “Take It” album, but it wasn’t at the well-crafted-level as this track.
The song was previewed on “Dhol Crusader,” as it was officially to be on Kuldeep Manak’s “Punjab” album, released later that year. One can only imagine, had this track been on “Grass Roots,” and had more people been able to listen to it, what kind of reaction it would have received.
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
