When you think of the North, you usually think about Manchester and Birmingham as the hubs of the bhangra scene. However in the past few years, the Scotland massive has made itself known. With groups such as Tigerstyle reppin for the Glascow massive, it was only a matter of time before more material and artists started to showcase that Scotland is more than just kilts and bagpipes, it is truly a hotbed for new Asian talent. Enter DJ VIPS. For those of you who don't recognize the name, he has been involved with the scene for the last 15 years and has held down the Scotland scene as well as parts of Northern England. He has definitely paid his dues as a veteran in this industry, and decided to tackle the production side. He has started VIP records, with his debut album, entitled "Party Time." The album cover offers a very diverse look at the different flavours and talent he has on the CD, so let's take a look at what DJ VIPS brings to the table.

As I popped into my CD player, we start with the intro track. Now for those of who don't like intros, be sure to check this one out. It starts with a light introduction of bagpipes and fuses into a very bumping house trance beat mixed with traditional Scottish bagpipes and of course the dhol. A good way to start the album as it gets you on your feet and ready to party.

The second track is entitled Punjabian De Naal. The track starts off with a constant dhol, and a funky bass line. It's a traditional style of track, and relatively new vocalist Mangi Mahal comes correct and delivers nicely with the vocals. The track however is quite a simple track, and is not the type of track that will blow you away, but will definitely get you bobbing your head.

The third track is a classic that we've heard before, entitled Long Gawacha. Now some may argue that recycling songs over and over again isn't cool, but I must say this track, does totally the opposite. The beat is very desi, and DJ VIPS shows his traditional production talent, by taking an old song, and reviving it. The vocals are sung by the 15 year old Babli, and she does not disappoint, using her effortless passion in singing the song, proving that old songs can be re-done with style and grace.

The fourth track is entitled Lus Lus Karde Aan Club Mix. Now this is another re done track, and done with a hip hop sample. Now for those of you who are anti-sample, let me tell you, if a sample is used in a right way and can mesh with the vocals and add some spice to it like PMC did with Mundian To Bach Ke, then I feel it's a safe track. When I hit this track I felt wow this is a bumpin track. The use of J Kwon's "Tipsy " the pounding crisp dhol beats and the vocals of B.S. Bittu deliver a definite club banger. DJ VIPS introduces a new female MC by the name of MC Ria, who does a valiant job of adding some flavour and begs the crowd to "put their hands in the air." Lus Lus Karde Aan club mix is definite tune to get you bouncing on the dance floor, and with the elaborate fusion of the desi vibe and the hip-hop sample.

The next track is another memorable and re done track, Gur Nal Ishq mita. It starts of with an uplifting desi beat, with a lot of oy hoi's and ay hai's! and is quickly fused into another hip hop sample, Will Smith's getting jiggy with it, and then a classic, House of Pain's Jump around. Overall I wasn't really feeling the getting jiggy with it sample in the track, and the Jump around sample although quite bouncy and up tempo really doesn't do justice to the overall effect of the track and vocals. The vocals are by Surinder Melhli who does a decent job with vocals. Overall I found the track to be mediocre, and it can be the fact that many bhangra producers have rinsed these lyrics, which has the effect of taking away from the overall impact of the song.

The next track is entitled "Surma", on which DJ VIPS starts of with a sort of dholki, tabla type vibe, and brings in a heavy bassline house beat. Throughout the song VIPS brings in various desi elements such as Indian flutes, and a very well played tumbi. The track is a definite banger, the sample is used effectively and DJ Vips combines all the elements to make this a real strong song, along with the excellent vocals of Kulbir, who does not disappoint. The ladies will definitely putting their surma on while bumping this song!

Track 7 is entitled Punjabi Munde. Production wise the track is decent, using an Obie Trice sample with a really chilled out sarangi and tumbi. The vocals are by Romesh Chohan, who delivers a decent performance. However overall this is a rather average track, and is nothing out of the ordinary, but still a decently put together track.

Next up is Nach Lain De, which is a smooth mix of the drum and bass vibe, with some traditional medleys and vocals. I must say I am definitely feelin this tune. The vocals by Ashok Parawi, go well with the heavy d and b basslines that VIPS mixes with traditional elements. This track will definitely cater to all you drum and bass headz as well as traditional heads out there, a real up tempo track with sick vocals and heavy basslines, to keep the track constant and flowing, leaving you interested throughout.

This is followed by what I must say is my favourite track of the album and it is entitled Mehindi. It is a very traditional track that really takes off. A track with the basic elements of dhol, dhud, and flute elements captivate you into just sinking into the track. The vocals are by Romesh Chohan who delivers an excellent vocal performance that compliments VIP's intelligent traditional production. This track will definitely by played at weddings, and mehindi's. Its melody is uplifting, and keeps you engulfed in the beautiful arrangement of instrumentation.

Track 10 is the traditional version Lus Lus Karde Ang. It is a much softer laid back version, with a cool and relaxed desi element. After hearing the club mix, I didn't feel this as much as it was too toned down for me. It is probably the whole party time vibe I was expecting, however it's a good track to have to tone things down in an already jamming album. BS Bittu delivers the vocals, after hearing the club mix, I found this mix to be average.

The penultimate tune is the Laung Gawacha Bashment Mix. When I first heard this track I thought it was bangin! An excellent mix, that provides something for all the dancehall massive. The heavy dancehall style bass lines mixed with the melodic tumbi, really makes this track a club banger. You can see this track being blasted from Gerrard St. in Toronto to Soho in Birmingham. It's a perfect track for car audio systems and to the clubs and will definitely mash up bashment parties everywhere!

The last track is track is Akhian Uddek Dian. This track is an up tempo house track, with some mean bass lines, and some deep qawali style vocals from Kuldip Kadar. Now this track is a perfect tune for someone who is into the rave and desi scene all in one. The fusion of qawali style vocals and heavy house trance is a real good fusion, and displays VIPS ability to fuse eastern and western elements together to make a cool and funky party track.

Many people have said that using samples and recycling old tracks is a thing of the past and does not work. Well I believe it can if done in the right way, and DJ VIPS has done just that. His ability to take various genres of western music and fuse it with Bhangra provide for an amazing and jamming album. DJ VIPS has represented Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland with his work on Party Time so inevitable it will elevate him to the masses around the world. The album provides edgy club-banging tunes with various styles. While he does use samples, he uses them with grace and blends them with excellent original instrumentation and vocals from brand new vocalists, something the Asian scene has been lacking lately with many producers not willing to take risks on new sounds. DJ VIPS has taken that risk and provided excellent vocals on a party filled album. This album is a definite must have for any desi DJ and in my eyes deserves 7.6/10. Many people say its time for something new; well I say its time for DJ VIPS and his crew, its party time!