It's about time for a dose of alternative desi beats once again. This time we've got the Delhi based duo, Midival Punditz, whose debut album allowed them to enter the world of the Asian underground. In fact, the track "Fabric" was used in Mira Nair's "Monsoon Wedding" movie before the debut album was released. The duo of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj have been making a lot of noise since than by touring alongside artists such as Karsh Kale, Cheb I Sabbah, Zakir Hussain, Bill Laswell, and Talvin Singh. Not to mention producing a Bollywood soundtrack for the movie "Let's Enjoy." Didn't watch the movie, but the soundtrack was quite good. However a little while and one album later the boys have seemed to have grown up a little. Their newest album is a mixture of many genres and influences that features a wide range of talented artists. They've come a long way from being "those guys who did that 'Monsoon Wedding' track." And with much already under the belt, it won't be disappointing to hear what these two Six Degrees artists' have to offer once again.

The intro track, "Morning" puts you instantly at ease. Some meditation type stuff, that seems to take you back to that memory of India (or wherever you may be from) that you keep stored in your head. Don't get too attached though, it only lasts a minute.

The following track titled "Saathi" features the sensational awaaz of Ustad Sultan Khan. An average track that stays quite mellow and calm all the way through… what am I waiting for? I don't know… some wild tablas and drum n bass to kick in maybe. Ustad Sultan Khan delivers, and if you're in the proper mood so do the Punditz, but it's not a track I'd be putting on repeat too often.

Abida Parveen on an alternative beats album? However, if you read the inlay, they've simply sampled a previous recording of hers, so they didn't actually sit down together and work on it. "Raanjhan" is the track I am feeling the most on this album. It is so reminiscent of other Asian underground anthems that have become classics. I'm going to go far enough and say that I rate it up there with Nitin's "The Search." Absolutely brilliant!

"136" is the first track to properly remind me of anything off of their debut album. It may be only due to the repetitive electronic beats. The track finds itself with the Indian percussions though, than loses itself for a bit. Then it starts sounding good again, and than loses itself again. Don't know what to think of this one, not going to deal with it much.

Anoushka Shankar lends the sitar on "Rebirth", which is such a mellow chill-out tune with great use of instruments and percussions. The Punditz really help accent the beautiful sounds of the sitar here. I will warn the average listener though, if you are not into Asian ambience than stay away. Overall, it's a track to chill to alone.

"Khayaal" features Vishal Vaid of Karsh Kale collabo fame, providing some nice vocals. Took a while to start up, but after a minute your hooked on for the rest of the journey. "Kab khayaal aap ka nahin hoga." You WILL be repeating that after listening to this one. Another great ambient tune with enough kick in it's beat to make you move your head thought. One of this album's standout tracks, so chill out, but so effective.

The next track "Piya" had me thinking of where I had heard these vocals before. Part of the reason I had so much time to think was probably because I personally was not feeling this track too much. It's got some great beats and good vocals, but doesn't quite have the edge.

The next track "Kesariya" is a remixed or edited version of the track by the same name that they did on the Bollywood soundtrack earlier this year. I thought it was quite funky before, and this time around I'm thinking the same. I've heard this track too many times before, so I'll skip over it, however it is worth a few spins. I guess they realized that not a lot of their alternative loving fans were going to pick up their Bollywood soundtrack and decided to showcase their favorite tune from it.

"Ali" is the track to follow, which follows the popular "Ali Ali Ali" fashion popularized by qawali (the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). A lot of hard edgy electronic beats on this track, on and off though. I'm feeling it, for now… not too sure if I will be in a week or two.

"Enemy" starts off quite good, nothing too special, but keeps it's tempo and your head moving for a while. Until the head moving turns into head banging with the unusual and unnecessary rock turn near the end. I'm going to move quickly past this one, I like rock, but this is a bit off.

The last track "Hold On" summarizes this album's overall ambient appeal. It's a great track to relax to, but the halfway change up will have you thinking differently. Nonetheless, the track finishes superbly; the Punditz uses the female vocals so elegantly.

The album has eleven good tracks on it, which average about 6 minutes in length each which totals in excess of an hours worth of solid music, so I had no problem listening right through this one, can't say that about a lot of the releases these days. It's not too much like the first release if you were expecting the same. However, it doesn't disappoint. The ambience and elegance of the album is pleasing to the ear, as appose to getting repetitive and annoying. I am giving this one 8.3 out of 10. If this truly is the Midival Times, then the Punditz fail to prove themselves as King Arthur (my personal vote is Nitin or Talvin), but they definitely have themselves a place on the round table of the honorable and talented.