FAST CARS, BLING and thuggish poses, looking through the album inlay for Panjabi Hit Squad's new compilation I'm sure that bhangra is the new gangsta rap. Indeed, with DJs being stars in today's bhangra scene, there is a distinct parallel feeling of 1980s New York. The Panjabi Hit Squad is leading the fight on the airwaves to give Asian music some recognition and there weekly late night show on 1Xtra is bringing today's bhangra to a new market. After the success of their debut album, 'The Streets', PHS were snapped up by the rap empire of Def Jam and 'Desi Beats Volume 1' is their first release on the label. Although a compilation as it is a precursor to their proper album, there is a fair few new Hit Squad cuts, and some exclusive material from top artists including Juggy D.

It must be said that the Panjabi Hit Squad are now celebrities. Six months ago they were bigging up the crew at humble Nando's in Birmingham but are now riding up to shows in limousines and getting hip-hop superstars to promote their album. I just hope that Markie Mark (the original Desi Gorrah), Dee, Rav & Amo don't develop attitude due to the fame as this happens to alot of stars. My advice is to keep you feet on the ground and remember the music fans the same way as you have done succesfully in the past.

I guess it was expected but there is a heavy commercial element to the double CD (I bought it in HMV!). I mean, its called 'Desi Beats Volume 1', but half of the album is American hip-hop, R&B and reggae. However, this can only be a good thing as it opens bhangra up to the entire urban market. I'm sure there are people new to bhangra who would buy this album solely for the good blend of rap and ragga, and 'Desi Beats' will expose these crowds to Asian music.

As Desitunes4u.com is primarily an Asian music website we will only be reviewing the second CD (the bhangra one), but the first disc has all the latest hip-hop from Fatman Scoop (one of PHS's new bredrins), Joe Budden, Jay-Z, Freeway, Dizzie Rascal (check out his new tune with Mona and Basement Jaxx) as well as ragga from Sean Paul, Elephant Man and Wayne Wonder and also a brilliant mix of 'Rock Wit U (Aww Baby)' by Ashanti. The Raghev tune featuring Iceberg Slimm is on there as well as a PHS R&B cut, but the beats simply ain't desi!

CD 2 opens up with a Ludacris intro, another PHS namedrop, but is followed by blazing tumbis and the inimitable Ranjit Mani. 'Nachie Moranie' is a new Hit Squad production and is a good tone setter, before the tempo jumps up and gets livelier.

The driving dhol of the classic Panjabi MC track 'Sarwan Phuter' follows with another Asian singing superstar supplying the lyrics. Kuldeep Manak isn't on this track enough for me, but this tune is dance floor filler and came out in 1995, which shows that bhangra has been top quality before exposure to the mainstream market.

Track 3 is one of my favourites on the compilation. Possibly the best tune from 2002, Surinder Rattan's 'Kala Kala Munda' is lively, methodical and impeccably produced. Cheshire Cat adds the ragga element and Labh Janjua's vocals are fantastic. His flowing lyrics are, in my opinion, what bhangra singing should be: fast, sentimental and gel the song together with a powerful presence. Top tune, one that can go on repeat.

One of the big successes of 'The Streets' blends in smoothly and the big beat of 'Kuriyeh' ensues (I'm sure it was called 'Kudiye' on the old album!). Narinder Manak gives a good performance and sounds like he really enjoyed doing this track. Blazing tumbi, great beats and compelling bass make this a great track.

After a rare poor mix between songs, we hear the produce of Hit Squad protégée producer Gurdeep Samra. 'Jatt Panjab' is more of a desi tune and isn't a favourite of mine. Good singing as expected from Surinder Shinda, but this compilation doesn't need the dirty bhangra tracks as its aim is to open up the market. Just a little out of place to be honest.

Bally Sagoo's 'Jind Sadi Mang' breaks through with the beat taken from an old Da Brat tune. Surjit Khan sings between the breaks and the "dance, everbody" is pretty catchy. This was a big hit recently and kept Bally on top of his game.

This album wouldn't be complete without a Rishi Rich Project influence. 'Nain Jeena' was produced with help from reggae beat master and MC Don Dee, and employs a variant of Juggy D's hook from 'Dance With You'. The song is bouncy and the "Nahin Jeena" echo has a positive Bollywood feel.

Juggy D carries over into track eight, 'Soniye'. I played this cd after hours at work and the entire staff were dancing around to it. It's one that makes you want to move your feet and I can't wait to hear this in a club. Catchy chorus and plenty of 'brrrrrrah', the track is coherent and well produced by Mentor, another from the Rishi Rich camp. One of the top tunes on the album.

PHS were responsible for one of the biggest asian-garage tracks ever when 'Hai Hai' was released on 'The Streets' album. 'Desi Beats Volume 1' gives us a new mix, creatively titled 'Hai Hai Part 2', featuring new flows from the luscious Ms Scandalous. To be perfectly honest, I prefer the original garage mix but Satwinder Bitti's vocals are still fresh. A lot of people I've spoken to like Part 2, but the original was one of the first tunes that got me into desi music and I think this mix is just keeping the rotti stirring.

The beat then begins to get bigger as we hear Illegal Demo's 'Gidhian Di Rani'. Sung by one of the best singers around at the moment, Lambher Hussainpuri, the garage track is another to get moving to and Priceless MC gives a nice, clear performance. Another highlight.

The tempo stays high as the remix of DJ Vix's 'Le Gayee Sade Dil' begins with frantic dhol and the unmistakable voice of HMC. Yudhvir Manak sings strongly and Untouchables' HMC gives a typically strong performance. The bass is massive and this tune is definitely one to cruise around with.

We get another Hit Squad production for track 12. 'Putt Jattan De' features Metz & Trix in good form. The singer isn't named which I think is a bit harsh as he is a little Ranjit Mani-esque, but only acts between the Manchester duo's flows. Best rhyme on the album: "Now everybody witness/this genesis/ Panjabi Hits/with the Metz & the Trix".

RDB are another name that would make this album feel incomplete if they were not present, but their latest mix of 'Putt Sardaran De' featuring Rydem Ryder, GI Jatt and MC Lightning is a house mover. Maintaining Ranjit Mani's contagious chorus and the trademark bass melody, this tune arrives on the album at just the right time.

Panjabi By Nature keep the tempo moving with 'Gal Ban Gayee' which was a hit this year for them. The talented Amar Arshi sings through cool distortion and the pulse is live and keeps the crowd grooving.

Then we get an exclusive mix of 'Shere Panjabi', re-worked by PHS for this album. They take the vocals from Asian DJ Culture's past hit and give it a good work out. I liked this mix with its crisp vocals and catchy chorus.

With one of the most catchy introductions and melodies of the year, the desi mix of Aman Hayer's 'Gabru Shakeen' slows the pace slightly. Lambher Hussainpuri is again on top form and the tune heralds the slow pace down into the last two tracks of the album.

I feel that Tigerstyle are one of the most under-rated bhangra acts out there at the moment and their track featuring Bikram Singh exemplifies this. 'Taakre' is a brusquely produced affair, which flows throughout and the gunshot effects work really well.

J Skillz has been one of this year's bhangra success stories and '4 My Sinz' was one of the albums of the year. He ends the CD with 'Khoon Da Badia', a groovy cut that is full of bass and immediately gets your head nodding. When the tune fades out you can still feel it.

I would say that the album is essentially a 2003 bhangra review, and it is excellent to see that we've been able to listen to some fantastic new music in the last 12 months. For the die-hards this isn't a 'must buy', but for anyone who likes the fusion stuff then this is brilliant. With 36 tracks on there, although only half are bhangra, this was worth the £15 I gave HMV for it, even if you never play the hip-hop CD. I'd give the overall double CD album 8 out of 10.