20
Jun
2011
Bhangra Hot Clicks
Happenings in Bhangra outside the realm of Bhangraw.
Jati Cheed smashes it with the Les Paul Google Doodle [YouTube]
Diamond of Swami talks and gives an insight about his vocal recording methods [Record, Mix & Master]
B-Boys in India. Need I say more? [YouTube via Slumgods]
Blast from the past. Bally Sagoo’s Star Crazy 2 [T-Minus]
VIP Records has a new website, and it’s actually functional! [VIP Records]
Bhangra Empire do their thing during halftime of a Warriors game [Bhangra Empire]
14
Jun
2011
Free Download” Swami “Dumdaraka” (Dub Upgrade)
Last month, I posted the premiere of Swami’s new track Dumdaraka.
Due to positive feedback, and requests by their fans, the band has decided to give it away as a free download.
You can download it from their Facebook Page.
1
Jun
2011
Days of Bhangra Producers Lives: Where Diamond gets Yoda-like
Seems like most Bhangra Producers are on twitter these days. With tweets ranging from album updates, what they’re doing to pass time, or how good they are at cooking, twitter is a little telescope into their day to day life. However every now and then, they may also paint an even more interesting picture of what is running through their mind. This feature helps you chew on what is happening in Bhangra Producers lives.
Panjabi Hit Squad best bit of shopping at Ikea…Smelling all the scented candles
Notorious Jatt Am I the only one who thinks twitter is a load of bollox since joining to see what all the fuss was about?
Raj (Tigerstyle) Tigerstyle video shoot in East London all day today!!! 1st single is a proper killa tune!! Blow woofer Bass, Raw riddim and killa vocals!!
Manni Sandhu Gordon ramsay aint got shit on me
Diamond Duggal A good song is one you like…
18
May
2011
Swami Premiere “Dumdaraka” on Friction
The last new material we heard from Swami, was when they performed in Mississauga last year.
So when I heard Bobby Friction would be interviewing Diamond and playing a new track last night, you know I had to tune in.
Diamond talks to Bobby Friction:
Highlights from the interview:
Making all the lyrics match (English, Hindi, Punjabi) is very difficult
The album will be very electronic, as it has always had a big influence on Diamond, and it will be very experimental
All live instruments were played for the album (No sampling – “but not like there is anything wrong with that”)
There will be Punjabi and Hindi influences and vocals on the album
The album is a culmination of two years worth of recording
Diamond assures the album will contain a lot of different stuff, and there will be something for everybody on there
It will be releasing at the end of Summer
(I think Bobby Friction may be the one person more excited than I am about the release)
And now for a snippet of “Dumdaraka” (Dub Upgrade Mix)
10
Mar
2011
Days of Bhangra Producers Lives: Where Tigerstyle (not Tigerblood) hits India.
Seems like most Bhangra Producers are on twitter these days. With tweets ranging from album updates, what they’re doing to pass time, or how good they are at cooking, twitter is a little telescope into their day to day life. However every now and then, they may also paint an even more interesting picture of what is running through their mind. This feature helps you chew on what is happening in Bhangra Producers lives.
Panjabi Hit Squad Hans Raj Hans has one of the most amazing vocal skills and tones in the world! So underrated in 2011.. I want him on our album! #worldfamous
S-Endz the only people still complaining about piracy are people who are not smart or creative enough to monetize in other ways.
Tigerstyle Mystics, Martyrs + Maharajas LP releasing in India very soon. FINALLY!!! India is so SSSLLLOOOWWW on it.
Diamond Duggal Too many good ideas on a track requires serious production experience to correctly remove what is not needed…
DJs Inc. By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.
Shizzio HERES THE BUNDHPANGA TRACK: QUICK JOKE TUNE LMAOOOOO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ-uf6m5xnQ
31
Jul
2010
Swami at Mosaic Fest 2010 Footage
Swami were in Mississauga, Ontario earlier this month at the Mosaic Fest, and I managed to make it down and snap up some videos of some of their new and older material.
See what you missed/are in store for with their upcoming material.
Back it Up
Chika
Hey Hey
Desi Rock
Ching
23
Jun
2010
Swami Canadian Tour Dates
Swami are ready to hit up Canada for the first couple of weeks of July on their “Sugarless Tour 2010.”
Playing an assortment of their classic and new material, they will be hitting up the following cities:
July 1, 2010 – Vancouver Jazz Fest, Vancouver, BC
July 3, 2010 – The Waverly, Cumberland, BC
July 6, 2010 – Fernie, BC
July 8, 2010 – Mercury Lounge, Ottawa, ON
July 9, 2010 – Sunfest, London, ON
July 10, 2010 – Sunfest, London, ON
July 11, 2010 – Mosaic Festival, Mississauga, ON
Dates in bold are Free Admission.
For those of you in Vancouver, you can also enter for a chance to win free tickets to see Swami at the Vancouver Jazz Fest here.
As always, check in on Swami’s newly redesigned website for up to date news and info.
22
Jun
2010
Swami Performs New Material
Swami were out last night in London, UK performing what seems like their only UK gig this year (I’m sure that’ll change quickly.)
Performing at One Love at The Social, the band unveiled eight new songs on their upcoming all English album.
For those people that were unlucky to be a wee bit far away from Little Portland Street, the entire gig was streamed online.
Take a look at the five part performance below.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
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.
31
Dec
2009
Top 5 Free Downloads of 2009
I’m going to try my best and bang out some year end posts today.
First off, I think we should deal with the best downloads the UK Bhangra world had to offer this year.
To qualify as best download, they had to be freely given by the artists themselves.
It’s funny how some albums have come out, and I hear people say “Man, that album is not even worth the download.” Well the past few years, artists have made a concerted effort to actually give away really good free stuff. These freebies I believe, could actually fetch a few pence had they been solely put on the market, so enjoy. Of course, all of the downloads here at bhangraw.com are legit, and I would say that, even the one’s that didn’t make the top 5 are worth the download. (So head on over to the downloads section.)
Without further ado; the top 5 downloads of 2009.
Number 5 – DJ Vix “Ah Chak Bottal”
DJ Vix has a knack for making some killer mixes. He took his original, got rid of almost any resemblance of Indian instruments, and turned up the BPM’s to create a dance track fit for a rave.
Number 4 – En Karma “En Karma Diyan Boliyan”
The boys from Vancouver did not disappoint in their second free download. They got together and produced a track that I found myself singing along to on most occasions. Memorise the lyrics and surprise your Auntys and Uncles at your next fam jam why don’t ya?
Number 3 – Gurteshwar Grewal “Dil Dangdi”
This track came out of nowhere, and once again it’s a Canadian product. The vocals and the production worked really well together, and once again I found myself listening to this on repeat.
Number 2 – Twin Beats “Manak Drops the Pressure”
This track surprised me the most. I never thought I would hear a house track mixed with a Manak track – and be done so well. If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re wasting time reading this line. Get to it!
Number 1 – Swami “Sugarless”
By far one of the biggest tracks of the year, period. No one – not even the band – knew that this track would take on a life of it’s own the world over. So much so, Swami were prompted to make a video. Of all the tracks I have given away, this one yields the most “thank you for the song…..and introducing me to Swami.” You’re welcome bhangraw fam.
