Tigerstyle have recently put out their first mixtape on their own soldier sound recordings label. I'd been looking forward to hearing it from the moment I found out it was being put together. The mixtape is a tool widely used in the states, and is where a lot of these bootleg mixes come from. To see it creeping into the bhangra industry seems like a step forward to me. Anyway, lets move onto the music itself.

The first track is called Hype. It's like an intro for the CD. The tune is one of those party joints - I can imagine Tigerstyle opening their DJ sets with this. If you still don't realise what kinda tune it is, I suppose it can be best described as being similar to the type of stuff Fatman Scoop and the Crooklyn Clan have been bringing out - loaded with samples. This is the kind of stuff that mixtapes are all about for me. It starts with quite a funky beat, and then a nice baseline drops. Simon says is then samples with a bit of Punjabi flavour. The knight rider tumbi then comes in over the 'She's a Bitch' beat, which then goes into a bit of Redman. The end is from Fresh Prince's 'Boom, Shake the Room' and is a little sudden. All in all it's a decent start to the mixtape.

Next up is Tigerstyle's mix of probably the biggest hip hop joint of the year - Fifty Cent's 'In Da Club' Many of you would have heard this from some internet site or other. To be honest I didn't rate it at all when I first heard it. However, once you get it onto some proper speakers, it sounds infinitely better. It is still not a patch on the original, but not a bad effort. It's more of a chilled out remix. Tiger style use the snake charming beat to bring Arabic feel to the tune.

Mary J Blige's 'Love @ 1st sight' is the third track. Radio stations have mainly been playing Rishi Rich's version of this one, and to be honest this one isn't much different. It's quite hard to choose one over the other. No Juggy D on this one, but we are treated to Method Man's verse instead - although Rishi has a version like that as well. A nice tune, if you're into your Mary J Blige.

Track 4 is the remix of Ms Dynamite's 'Put him out'. I'm not really into Ms Dynamite's stuff that much at all. Personally, I think she's been downhill since 'Boo'. This beat has parts that make it sound a little like the tune before - maybe putting this track straight after weren't the best decision. The tune has a catchy chorus, but that's about it for me. Tigerstyle have provided a decent enough mix, but just not really feeling Ms Dyn-a-mit-eee.

The fifth track is from another female associated with the So Solid crew - Lisa Mafia. This one is her most recent release, 'In Love'. The original has a really slow beat. This one opens up with a deep tabla beat. Throughout the tune there's little squeaks of 'Jawani', used in a similar way to Mariah's 'You got me'. It sounds good. Halfway through the tune, it sounds like the guys have sampled some really cheesy Hindi type of beat, and somehow they manage to pull it off. This one definitely grows on you after a while. A wicked beat!

I'll never leave by Lumidee is the sixth track to be remixed. The Diwali Riddim has been sampled extensively this summer, so I was looking forward to seeing what Tigerstyle could do with it. The remix is not blatant, quite subtle in fact. The bass line is different, and there's a bit of an ethnic feel to it. A good track but it's not much different from the original though. Unfortunately there is no Busta or Fabolous on this version though.

Redman's 'Let's get dirty' is track number 7. The original beat is wicked and always gets everyone going in a club. Tigerstyle have put it over Truth Hurt's Addictive beat. The tune starts with the chorus over the addictive beat and a Hindi 'Aaah' in the background. Then the Hindi lyrics drop - no it's not Kaliyon Kha Chamand, but the chorus from a tune in Sholay - 'Mein Nachungee'. Then Redman busts his verse, and it flows really well to the beat. Not as militant as the original, but we have a nice remix here. Throughout the tune parts of the Hindi lyrics are going in the background. The chorus' of both the tune's overlap. There's only the one verse from Redman, which is a bit of a shame. The chorus is repeated quite a bit at the end as well. Still all in all I'd say it's a good tune though.

Track 8 sees a change. The mainstream remixes take a back seat, and Tigerstyle go back to where it all started for them - a remix of Nachna Onda Neigh. This version is the version that was recently put on the Urban Flavas 2 CD, re-sung by Bikram. Most of you have probably heard this version, so I won't say too much about it - just that it's nice to hear a sample free version. The beat, as the guys put it themselves, is a bit on the poppy side.

Another remix from The Rising album is the basis of Track 9. This time it's Putt Jattan De Shakeen. The tumbi beat is the same, but the samples have again disappeared. The baseline is still quite heavy though, and it hard to it's hard to choose between this version and the original. Basically, if you like the original, I'm sure you'll love this one. The lyrics are good, and Pappi Gill is a decent singer.

Tigerstyle's other offering from Urban Flavas 2 is track 10 - Taakre. Again the singer is Bikram, and he shows his singing ability to full effect in this one. The beat is one of those where you can either hear it as a hip-hop beat, or as a desi one. The lyrics are proper militant, all about rucking. There are various gunshots going off in the background, and samples, that were also used by PMC, in the form of 'La Meri Bandook' The enjoyment is brought to an end very appropriately with a couple of gunshots. A top tune and it is nice to see some different type of lyrics.

'Dil Da Mamla' is track number 11. When I first saw this on the track listings I was expecting some Gurdas Mann version, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear Naseebo Lal singing the tune. The tune is quite deep. The baseline is really dark, and sounds like it could belong to a Drum N Bass tune. There are subtle tabla beats in the background as well. The tune's a little on the depressing side but who said all tunes have to be happy tunes. The track ends with some thunder and rain.

The knightrider sample is used in track 12 - 'Pakhiyan' Before you start thinking 'well that ain't nothing new', it is a bit different from the typical knightrider remix. Only the first part of the knightrider baseline is used, so you can't even tell it's that tune to be to be honest. However, there is the bit that those of you who can remember the original TV series will remember. The tune is quite average. I think the lyrics and singing, by Bhupi Gill are good, but they could be better suited to a different beat.

The vibe changes again to a garage feel for track 13. It's Tigerstyle's version of the underground garage anthem 'R U Really' Tigerstyle have bought a little desi feel to the track, but stick with a garage beat. There are a few gunshots going on in the background again. The format of the tune is basically MC's with a female chorus - a similar kind of thing to So Solid's first release 'Oh No'. This is a good tune - nice bass line and decent MC's. Only thing that lets it down is the female singing in my opinion. Still, it takes you back to the good old days of garage.

Back to the desi stuff for track 14 which is called Hai Hai. Yep, it's the same tune that Kenz and PHS have released in the past. This one starts with the guitar sample of Lucy Pearls 'Don't Mess with my Man' which goes on throughout the tune. The beat is really similar to Domey Nachiye from their Virsa album. Actually it's identical in parts - with the smashing glass and everything. The bass line is different. Everyone knows Satwinder Bitti's done a top job with the vocals on this one. The tune is about 7 minutes long, so we probably getting some extra lyrics somewhere, cos just when it sounds like it's ended, Bitti comes in again. Personally I prefer Panjabi Hit Squad's garage mix of the tune. In my opinion, this mix isn't up to Tigerstyle's high standards.

Track 15 is Tigerstyle's version of 'Sassi'. I'm a big fan of this tune. Obviously I'm going to compare it to PMC's remix. There isn't any of Panjabi MC's rapping on this. The beat is still quite chilled out but a bit more desi. The beat changes throughout the tune, with the sarangi being more prominent and we hear some extra lyrics at these points. I can't really choose between the two versions at all, although they are quite different. I suppose if I'm in a desi mood, I'd much prefer this one. A top tune overall.

The final track is AK47, and is sung by Jagowala Jatha - a new singer to me. The beat is a proper Hip Hop type. The lyrics are quite political - all about Khalistan. He's basically paying tribute to the men who took up arms back in the day. Well, at least it's a bit different from the normal load of stuff we are used to. The singer has that desi feel to him. The track has been produced well, and there are no signs of any samples. Nice to hear a decent original Hip Hop beat from some bhangra producers for a change.

Overall, the album has something for everyone. With a whopping 16 tracks you can't complain about not getting value for money, and it gets better - there going for just £5! So, you're getting probably double the number of tracks for half the price. On the downside there isn't any fancy CD artwork, and you only get the album in a sleeve - but at that price there's no complaints. There isn't too much for the desi fans to get excited about, but you are getting the two best tracks from Urban Flavas 2. The production shows Tigerstyle's ability to be players in the mainstream - one remix to definitely keep an ear out for is their version of Busta's 'Light Your Ass on Fire' probably the best desi remix I've heard of a tune. Anyway back to the mixtape - what you waiting for grab your copy while you can - it's only limited edition!