Irfan: Finally, the album has been released. I understand illness has been the main cause of the delay. Do you want to explain all to our readers?

Djinn: It sure has man, it sure has. Been a long and winding road but the journey has been nothing less than liberating, I mean, just as the album was getting finished things just took a turn for the worst, its like everything just seems to fall apart at once. First my studio like totally died, but luckily I managed so save what I could, followed by a break up in what seemed to be a steady relationship at the time, so that just totally set me back, when you have a plan and are working towards it then such a change kicks in, its like, damn what now, so I had to make some major changes, moving back to Oxford was one of those changes, I suppose I just needed to re-search within myself my steps and what I was planning next. So many things I had settled while I was in London, I almost just started fresh, this was followed by one of the worse things when I had to give away Troy (my rottweiler) who was like my closest friend I was always with almost 24 hours a day since he was 6 weeks old. So seeing I'm aware that anger is more useful than despair, I decided to just work, work and work. Then more music politics kicked it than I won't go much into, but then that's when things got really drastic. They say the mind suffers and the body cries out. The music issues I was dealing with was the final blow. I woke up usual time for about 6am and noticed the left side of my face was TOTALLY paralyzed. At that point I noticed that everything I had worked for, everything I have focused on might just stop right there. How could I sing without even being able to talk properly? Realising the seriousness, I just focused everything I had on recovery. The doctors said that sometime there is never a recovery but I had to try. Eventually after loads of patience and focus I thank the creator I made a 100% recovery. But have sure learnt from that. As they say everything happens for a reason, the song “Just A Thought” I think would not have existed if it wasn't for my paralysis. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

Djinn

Irfan: In your own words describe what releasing your debut vocal based album means to you?   Djinn: One of the most important things I have ever done, as you know I've worked with a wide range of producers and musicians globally but there were so many different directions they wanted it to go because the only thing on their mind was only the money. My predominant reason for this album is the message and connection with my fans; it's for them; not for my accountant. The album is a collection of thoughts and things I have been through and wish to share that with those who want me to share. I could easily have

sold the songs through my contacts for other artists to sing, as I write for other people as well, but no other artist would express it or arrange it or unorthodox it the way we have, we as in Tom and me. My production-based work has my expressions in it musically but when I came to the lyrics. Its something I just had to do vocally myself.

Irfan: The album features your vocals on every track [mainly in English but also in Urdu]. You have written all your lyrics on every song that appears on the album. As well as this you have co-produced the entire album with your production partner for the project Tom Linden. This shows extreme adaptability and supreme skill on your part. Does this give you extra satisfaction that the album is exactly how you wanted it to be?

Djinn: As I just mentioned the vocals were very important to me for this album but the hardest thing was finding the right sound in the production, thanks to Tom he pretty much knew exactly where I was coming from so it helped add another dimension to the whole thing. As a producer I constantly love to challenge myself as well as inspire others. I remember hearing Tom come up with a chord sequence years ago and it stuck with me like rubber to glue I was so inspired I came up with the melody for E vibe. Same time I showed him a foundation Arabic scale and he was so inspired he came up with the Arabic strings riff in “1000 Years.” So it's been an adventure all the way. Lyrically I know exactly what I wanted to say, if I could go back and change lyrics I wouldn't, Tom even participated like on “Can't Say Your Name.” The way I work is if you have an idea and it's good and it click's then why not. Same with the production, I love it to bits because it's just so me. So what my mind hears and has been actually put down. So unorthodox, it's not a copy of US or UK R&B or hip-hop. It's a whole different eclectic selection of vibes that perfectly hits the spot. Finally I would love to challenge critics who say Asians copy industry trends and sounds. I know I have surpassed it and wouldn't have it any other way, for this album sounds like no other genre and I now sound like no other artist. So in artistic terms, for this album, mission accomplished. So the answer to your question is ultimate satisfaction

Irfan: The album features five artists. Explain why you have selected to collaborate with these artists on your album individually.

Djinn: As I have a version of synesthesia, it's slightly different because it's associated with pictures instead; this album is a painting that's been in my mind for a long time. Perhaps its evolved as each chapter of the recording has unravelled.

Quest (Black Caz) - The black on the album; he's been through a lot and seen a lot. Been through the struggle. He's gifted, intelligent as well as wise. I met him in Wimbledon through a mutual friend; he heard “The Way You Move” and instantly felt it. So we hooked up and now he's representing his life, his mind, his thoughts, and instantly became the missing colour for the picture representing the shades, you might not see him but you will know he's there representing his interpretation of how things are and should be.

Sumeet - She is the beautiful shade of blue on this, and I love her to pieces. A beautiful warm clear vocal like a clear sky. With her, since producing on her album, it's a straight spiritual connection that's nothing less than “Deeper.” I didn't even need to send her a theme. I sent the beat that was originally for Jon B, but nope, it was too good to not be on the album so I sent it to Sumeet instead, I knew she would know what I'm thinking. She did and I loved it that much she even did the chorus.

Mehi – The shades of haze and brown, He's like the mountains in the picture. Representing mother earth and its massive size just like his vocal, mysterious and powerful, Just like Ustad Fateh Ali, the track is 1000 years and about how a woman has the power to overpower a man just by the way she may look, as in 1000 years could pass and would feel just like a moment. Working on point of Xstaci was just the beginning since the release it was a MUST for him to be on this album.

Sonia Panesar – She was the white on the album, the one whose innocence and purity was exactly what we needed for the picture. The beauty of emotions; the track is “All Or Nothing” a detailed story of her close friend seeing her in trouble with the one she loves. Fact is he doesn't appreciate her for who she is, she can see it but is in denial. A beautiful track based on a true story.

Manifest - He is the grey in between Sonia and Black Caz; why manifest on Just A Thought?

Were both Aquarians in our 20's, deep thinkers, both philosophers, A deadly combination, No other could have said what he said the way he said it. At the same time the way I said grey in between because ‘Just A Thought' is about the two sides of life. Some see one and the others choose to see the flip side. I have sat with Manifest numerous occasions just talking about the deepest things imaginable and its great every time.

Priya - We even got Canada's own Priya from Priyasvibe.com on here. She is the red in the picture representing the heat, warmth, fire, and besides, I love her accent. The only one who could pull off so effective and clearly the message on “Born 2 Die.”

Irfan: The album is entitled ‘Just A Thought' but then in brackets it says ‘Unorthodox.' Why unorthodox?
Djinn: Do I seem normal to you? Basically each album I do has a title and description so fans know exactly what they are getting, Unorthodox because of the way we recorded, the way the lyrics were written. The missing pieces in the album, I can also guarantee someone somewhere will argue that the album lyrics say one thing but I'm saying something else. It's almost like a game but you have to sit and really read through those lyrics, it's all in there, in the music and lyrics page. Its not just an album, it's something that may give you another perspective on things but only if the listener has an open mind a the time. It's not just a bunch of tracks we put together and start selling. It's me, my mind, my life, my views, my experiences and of those who have also featured along side me. What I love about it most is that it's my way, not another label's way.	Just A Thought

Irfan: The title track of the album ‘Just A Thought' has very deep lyrics on your worldview. Can you explain your thinking behind the lyrics?

Djinn: Damn not enough room to write here but in a nutshell. It's my interpretation of life itself, how we are towards one another, how greed seems to succeed and how we accept it as time goes on. You'd be surprised at what we can get used to. Everything I have seen over the last ten years have turned into a selection of questions that I have put down. They are very opposing thoughts that represent each side of the coin. Being from such a mixed heritage my family spreads almost to all 4 corners of the Earth but again with so many cultures mixed I've seen some harsh stuff. My family even reaches out as far as Rashid Minhas who flew the T-33, he was like the uncle of my dad's sister's husband or something along those lines.

It's from what I've seen in history; it seems like its in our nature to destroy ourselves but we seem to do this only when ignorance kicks in. People die natural deaths or in accidents all the time, but what about the millions who suffer by the hands of those fighting for wealth and power? I don't just mean countries but I have worked in mass manufacture before as well. I've seen how people are worked to the bone, and more is still demanded from them, so the shareholder's or business owners get richer. I agree its good to work to the bone but with a smile on your face if you know it's for a good cause. The animal cruelty I've seen in the fur farms has created an inner urge for war against it. But how, it's not something I can do alone. But if enough people unite against it, only then things can change, someone is getting shot in Lebanon fighting for his wife and children's freedom to live, while someone else is out flashing a new V12 with 10 girls in the back seat. So yea, it's like flip sides to everything. All of those things come to mind, its not a preachy track in any shape or form, its, simply, well, ‘just a thought.'

Irfan: The album includes a 16-page pullout, which includes full track lyrics of every track and English translations of all desi vocals [Urdu, Hindi & Punjabi] on the album. What is your thinking behind including this?

Djinn: We wanted to do something totally different y'know, something artists don't tend to do anymore, I love buying a new CD from an artist and open the booklet when listening to the tracks, read the lyrics as they sing it, I find it kinda pulls you into the track a little more than by just listening. I like to see who did what on track, how it all came together, we also felt it was important to put translation as well as do also have a non Asian fan base. With this album you get a lot more than just a front print and song name, its lyrics, translations, detailed credits and a basically an insight to the world of Djinn in a more detailed form.

E Vibe featured on Green Wing

Irfan: The track E Vibe [which is on the album] recently featured on Channels 4's Green Wing Series. Tell us more about this! Djinn: That actually came as a surprise, we just heard from a publishing company we deal with and they were like Channel 4 heard “E Vibe” and just loved it. They have used it on Green wing Series 1 since December 06 so yea that was definitely a nice little surprise. Lets see what other little surprises pop up along the way. Irfan: You are currently working on various projects as part of the Djinn Music network. Tell us more about these! Djinn: Yea doing some really exciting project actually, producing the solo album for Manifest coming later this year, producing the solo producing the solo album for

Manifest coming later this year, working on reggae artist Teddy Dan's new album; who has come back from Ethiopia for the project. That's due later this year as well; his first single “Jah Day” was signed with Nokia who loved it, so yea that was very cool. We have Don Jojo Castello's album in progress for a release in Ghana, we also did a track called “The Burning Rose” which is a laid back R&B cut with guitars and smooth Rhodes and excellent vibe. Aside from that doing other international projects including Russia for film sound projects just trying to reach out as far as possible basically, I'm always active.

Irfan: You've got various mela's, gigs, events (where people can see you singing LIVE) lined up in the near future. Tell us more about these! What can the viewing public expect from you on stage in terms of your overall performance?

Djinn: Yea, organising like an almost album UK mini tour, Bradford, Blackburn, Bolton, Scotland [plus a few more to be confirmed] is in the plan as well, so reaching out to the fans, connecting, on stage is where it makes the world of difference, when you can reach out and really connect, what can be expected? Me in my world doing what I do my way for the people.

Irfan: Any final words to the desitunes4u.com readers worldwide?

Djinn: This is me; this is who I am, this is my sound and this is who I've become, thanks for checking out the interview. Been a long time coming and it's finally here. I apologise for keeping you waiting but its true that good things come to those who wait. The album inspired by you, for none else but you, I have not become a package presented to you by a major corporation. I'm just like you but choose music as my outlet. I am around and love contacts so don't stop the e-mails coming in.

The myspace page is www.myspace.com/djinnmusic so e-mail me anytime as I check all my e-mail every time I get a chance and I promise to reply to all of you. Questions about the album or about anything at all. Just connect. While your connecting, the album is in distribution so pick one up from a store near you (UK) only. If you cant then it's also available on numerous sites including Desitunes4u store and the Djinn Music sites.

Luv Always, Djinn