Bikram Singh is an artist who has been making his name on UK radio for some time now and has been getting rave reviews from all quarters including the main stations such as Adil Ray, Bobby and Nihal and many more. So I thought it's time to find out what all the hype is about and was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of the "Exclusives" Mixtape, which is a precursor for his proper album.

The track has customary beats which is a Tigerstyle trademark. "Hauli Hauli" is good intro into the album; Tigerstyle's production will soon have you wiggling your shoulders to this and the simple hook will have you singing along in seconds.

The name "Bhangra Paunday" alone is enough to give you an idea of what the track is going to be like, proper old school style throughout, both in lyrics and especially in the music. This has never been my type of thing and this certainly isn't going to convert me. If that explanation grabs your attention, then you're in heaven with this one. The production from Navdeep is okay-ish.

What I said about guessing track types by names hold true again with "Gidde Vich". The track takes a while to kick in, but once it does, you don't need to be Nostradamus to predict what the lyrics are going to be. Too many people try to sing this song and fall flat but with Bikram powerful vocals and Marcus Bell on the production they more than justify having a go at it. It's without doubt one of the best versions of this track, simple as.

We return to the mood of track 2 with "Main Jaana Punjab", I'm not going to mince my words or dress up what I want to express, not my thing at all, the lyrics just don't appeal to me in the slightest. The production from Tigerstyle tries to lift the song but being blatantly honest it doesn't do anything for me.

Now next up is a track that has appeared all over the place! (Not exactly this version, that comes later in the album) this is the "Bandook Mix" whatever that is. The production is amateurish, in the sense that he's trying to do too much. The production on the original is fine, so why mess with it? Maybe the gun it refers to [Bandook = Gun] can be used to shoot yourself to end the misery of listening to its, incessant, random flow.

"Do The Thang Thang" is a duet with Shakti that is immediately more interesting, it's made me sit up from my slouched position of semi-consciousness. A nice amalgamation of beats by Marcus Bell who, correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't sound like an Asian name not that it matters anyway! The hook is a bit of fun and nonsense and yet it doesn't stop the track being liked, we listen and enjoy nonetheless. Good stuff.

"Gidde Vich - Lounge Mix" we've swapped dhol for bass and sped up the vocals just a touch and not to forget added rapping. I'm not really a fan of the lounge mix, the word 'lounge' conjures up an image of relaxation and something you can chill out to but yet it's still upbeat, but I guess its open to interpretation. The music and vocals don't mix in parts and all the little bleeps are really annoying, sounds like a monophonic ring tone being electrocuted; I much prefer the original on track three.

Don't let the name confuse you; this is lyrically the very same "Nachna" as legendary "Nachna Onda Nein" from Tigerstyle's "The Rising" album. That aside, this 'remix' has appeared on Urban Flavas 2 as well! It is okay, but I guess the fact that it's been around a while doesn't do it any favours. For those few [can't believe I'm even saying this] who have never heard it, it's nice, easily likeable with the famous and catchy lyrics but not a patch on the original. Maybe because Michael Jackson wasn't available to provide the musical inspiration this time due to other commitments.

Another blast from the not-so-distant past is "Taakre" (original). This is another from 'Urban Flavas 2", having also made an appearance on 'Desi Beats Vol 1' as well as a few others. Must be really popular to have made it onto all those CD's and for the most part I can see why, it's all about the music which is courtesy of the mighty Tigerstyle.

The1Shanti makes a rare advent into our auditory canals with some rapping and production on "Insomnia." The harsh Punjabi vocals on a hip-hop vibe sound very different; it works all the same. The Bengali dollar mite also known to us all as the the1Shanti's contribution to this track is good, bringing his unique brand of smooth vocals and refreshing music to match.

Another upbeat track (no coincidence its Marcus Bell on production again) is "Gabroo." Music is funky and modern, which is what you would expect from someone bringing a new approach, but the lyrics seem a little lifeless to me. One to nod your head to if it's on.

A very much Bolly vibe greets us in "Sajna", had it been in Hindi it could have been mistaken for one off a soundtrack. Has the all the hallmarks, emotive lyrics, soft vocals and subtle music where required. It has the effect of adding a bit of variety to the album.

In stark contrast of the previous song, we get to the first of 3 bonus tracks. "Girl from Pakistan" is undeniably a dance floor number, with its high tempo, banging beat and first ever (well to my knowledge anyway) reference to Pakistan in a title! I've had so many requests for this on my radio show since I played it a few weeks back, so it's not just me who thinks that this is good. So girls (and possibly modern guys) have been swinging their hips and stirring their cooking to the beat of this one in the evenings in kitchens all over Manchester.

"Sassi" brings it all back slow. Tigerstyle and Surinder Shinda, I don't really need to say much more, but just to spell it out for you its quality and ticks all the boxes.

"Thank You - Dido Mix" is the final bonus track and completes the album. This is the track, which shot to fame as Eminem sampled it on his track "Stan." The track on its own was nothing special and this ultra extended, 7minute marathon of a reincarnation, even with its tabla halfway through, is another waste of digital encoding. I mean it all blends in, well most of it does anyway and its all fancy with its effects, I just I don't see the point of it.

Bikram Singh has done a decent job with this album, if you ignore for a second that some of the tracks have appeared elsewhere; you would give him a pat on the back for his effort. But the very fact that three of the tracks have been released previously and there are two remixes, dilute the praise he would be due. But there's still enough on there to keep you occupied, with six of the tracks produced by Tigerstyle, it can't be all that bad now can it. A criticism is the experimentation on some of the tracks is a touch over the top. On a positive note the album introduces a powerful bhangra voice to ya'll who does not reside in India. Bikram is one of very few vocalists who does not hire the services of a lyricist as he's does all the writing himself so he deserves to credit for that. As well as this he's got very good Punjabi pronunciation, which is often the downfall of overseas desi's so in a nutshell he has lot of things going for him. As an introduction to the man, which is what this is to most of you reading this, it does the job and scores 7.6/10. I can wait to hear the proper album, which will feature production from both Tigerstyle and Ravi Bal.