The man that is J Skillz achieved critical acclaim when he released his debut solo album '4 My Sins' last year and is now on a journey to take a good hold in the UK bhangra industry. The main track from that album, 'Akh Sharabi', was a massive hit and really put 'J' on the map as a top-level producer. Now he's back with the follow up: 'J Skillz Pre'sentz'.

J Skillz is one of the genuinely talented Asian producers out there and 'J Skillz Pre'sentz' is a perfect move as it showcases his skillz (pun intended) against the talents of new vocalists from the sub continent. Nimarita makes a big impact on 'Mankeh' and we also hear the voices of Dildar Preet, Jeeta, Anandeep Aman and Parvin alongside household names such as Surinder Shinda and Manak-e.

The smash hit 'Mankeh' opens the album with Nimarita's infectious vocals complimenting the steady beats and easy melodies. If you haven't heard this mad track then you can't claim to be into music (unless you're not from the UK, lol), as it's got heavy rotation on all networks and has deservedly been getting a great response.

'Kokka' is the second track and continues with a groovy steady beat and great production. Dildar Preet puts in a tremendous vocal performance and really sounds like he's enjoying singing the track. There's a discreet sample from 'I wanna get high', which is intelligently used, and the scratching across the verses is spot on.

A rendition of boli classic 'Putt Sardara Deh' comes next with vocals from Jeeta, who you WILL mistake as being Jazzy B - the vocals are so similar I was second guessing the CD case to check! Of course, this means the singing is perfect and a darker tone with typical Skillz production.

Track number four is 'Sau'jha Mah', another great track. The production and melodies are harmoniously perfect and although Amandeep Aman's vocals are perhaps haughty, they work well against the track and make another memorable tune.

Then there's a 'Panjab Interlude', which is more than just an interlude and is a track (or two!) in itself. Sung by the legends that are Surinder Shinda and Kuldeep Paaras, it's a mellower affair but you keep your head nodding and it acts as a great chill out. Shinda starts with the vocals, but then there's a spin back and the beat changes for Kuldeep to come on the track. Great stuff.

A fluty intro heralds 'Kit'he Rehn Dah', a sultry track with more perfect vocals from Nimarita. It's another chilled out tune where the lyrics take you on…a great track to listen to while getting close with your partner.

Parvin comes into the vocal attack on track seven, 'Saun Deh Jahri'. More of an album track, its on the same vibe as the two previous songs with typically crisp and earthy productions to go with excellent singing.

Track eight is special. He's done the guitar work himself Oasis style on this one! The track, 'Talk Tonite' is a refix of a tune from '4 My Sins' that was called 'Jawani'. This rendition was played on the radio but received such acclaim that 'J' got clearance from the Gallagher brothers to do this cover version on this album. It's superb. Manjinder Purewal's singing is perfect and the guitar sound is spacious and filled with wonder. It's good that bhangra isn't just crossing paths with hip-hop and R&B and the way the indie/guitar music fuses is something, which will take off in the near future. This was one of the reasons I got the album and incidentally was the track I first got involved with desitunes4u over as I requested a translation from Irfan.

'Putt Fuji', the penultimate track ups the tempo slightly and has another sample on it, again Cypress Hill but this time from 'Dr Greenthumb'. The singing is a little less 'in your face' as you'd expect from Nurinder Manak-e, but shows diversity in the great singers portfolio. It's more good chilling stuff.

We finish with 'Sardari', which is a little disappointing and the only track I don't like on the album. Harjinder Babby doesn't do anything wrong but the dhol, flute and clashing melody that is behind the track make it a bit of a sad end to a great album (but Amit Rai's 'Ishk Tere Ne' is the first track on the adverts that are normally really annoying at the end!).

However, despite that minor blip this is the first album of 2004 that will be a contender for album of the year. It's got some great party tracks like 'Mankeh', but the chill out of the second half of the CD means you can stick in the hi-fi and go to sleep on it and 'Talk Tonite' is just awesome. Interestingly, some of the tracks have got a sample from some other record on it, but the clever use of well-picked samples makes it a big positive. I mean, has someone like Lil Sach got the creativity to use a sample from perhaps the most gorrah band out there? 'J Skillz Pre'sentz' has to get a big 8 out of 10 and the only reason why it's not higher is because the truth is there is some sampling.