Happy New Year to everyone, hope you all had a well earned rest this festive season, but now its time to get back to work and hit you with the news going into 2K5. Rakesh, Irfan and Richard team up to give you the latest on the desi mainstream onslaught.

Kicking off 2005, we have news of Raghav's new single Angels Eyes, currently circulating of the music channels. Raghav demonstrates again his musical sorcery on a track featuring a potent blend of ragga rhythm and rhymes, Asian beats and Bollywood strings all elegantly stitched together by his crystal pure vocal. For this one Raghav keeps it all laid back with a retro dancehall beat in the form of the classic 90s hit Murder She Wrote, originally a hit for Chaka Demus & Pliers. Keeping faith to the original Raghav enlisted the producers of the track to help him out on Angel Eyes and is helped out by dancehall MCs Frankey Maxx and 2Play mate Jucxi D. There is also a Tigerstyle remix, which features the beautiful voice of Gunjan. It's all set for release on the 7th February.

Deeyah, born in Norway and living between the UK and US, influences are varied and range from Madonna to Dr Dre to Metallica. She is no ordinary singer and Deeyah can't wait to unleash her unique contemporary pop sound to the UK. Her video for 'Plan Of My Own' has hit the mainstream channels now and is getting heavy play on The Box. The Deeyah Box selection number is 210 so call 09056 525 111 to vote for Deeyah on The Box. Her debut double A side single Plan Of My Own / I Saw You, getting its UK release on the 31st of January 2005. You can also catch Deeyah on the new Paul Oakenfold compilation and the new

Deeyah

Nitin Sawhney album. DJ Dev caught up with the upcoming star in London at Costa Coffee; click here to see what went down!

The Kray Twinz and Panjabi Mc's remix of Mark Morrison's Backstabbers is set for release on the 14th of February as his next single, from his new album. As you know this track has been blowing up the clubs for the last year and is finally seeing the light of day. The Kray Twinz and Panjabi Mc are commonly talked about in regards to the credit or lack of credit the Kray Twinz got for the international hit 'Mundian To Bach Ke' as they spoke to DJ Dev about in their interview with us; click here to view. However, looking forward we'll see if them getting together again can prove to be as successful as it has been in the past. Check out the www.kraytwinz.co.uk for more info.

Hot Like Fire

Birmingham's DJ Ams and Khiza are all set to make their mainstream debut. On the 21st of February they release, 'Hot Like Fire,' their single under Khiza's own independent record label, Goldmind Records. It's already getting major airplay on all the nations top radio stations, is undoubtedly set to storm the UK charts when it's released, fusing together eastern instrumentals with its smooth RnB flava. To see the video on Channel U simple text '096' to 89800. The track features two fresh vocalists, Tafari, who is the son of legendary reggae artist Big Youth and Marlon Binns who is currently under the same management as established artists, Bounty Killa and Wayne Marshall. The video was shot in Jamaica and the tune itself was mastered at the legendary 'Tough Gong Studio' in Kingston, Jamaica, which is owned by the late great Bob Marley.

Untouchables Records Ltd has put together a song featuring RDB and Sahara titled "Saathi" (All Together) which is set to release on Monday 17 January 2005. Music is the language of all nations and in this way we can show that we as a community are coming together to help those less fortunate than ourselves. There has been a positive reaction to "Saathi" (All Together) from all those who have listened to the title song. Lyrically it's such a moving song that is totally relevant to the circumstances. The single will be sold at all major Asian music stores and HMV stores throughout the country. All proceeds will be donated to the Tsunami Disaster Fund.

Rishi Rich Project, brand new release comes in the shape of a DVD called Aj Kal. Featuring leading Brit Asian artists Jay Sean, Rishi Rich, Juggy D and Veronica, Aj Kal tracks the journey from Rishi Rich's humble West London roots to international tours and chart success. The DVD is out now, and features exclusive footage of all the crew, in Dubai, Canada and Thailand, as well as interviews and studio footage with Craig David, Miss-teeq. Bonus features include a gallery of previously unavailable photographs and the brand new title track from Rishi Rich, Juggy D and Veronica, "Aj Kal."

Sukshinder Shinda, the most talented man in bhangra is back with his brand new album due out on the 14th of January, 2005. The single from the album Balle is already making waves in the industry and has a groundbreaking video. Shot in California and directed by Tremendous Inc it was produced by Kalikwest [www.kalikwest.com] and features some of the west coasts finest, such as Ruchi Pal (South Asian Model from N.California), Shaira Sanchez (Cherographer), Krystal, SAC ruff ryders the only west coast ruff ryders team, Boogie Monsters an awarding winning B-boy crew from Cali, and North Americas answer to Panjabi Hit Squad, the BPR Crew (Sukhi Dosanjh, DJ AlvinD and DJ Knuckles), Aamit Sidhra, Jess Tooray (Dholnation), Mickey from UK and many more cameos. The video features a massive mural of Shinda with Hip Hop and Bhangra flavour. The track features Cheshire Cat and a female rapper by the name of Tenashus - Royalle Ent (another Kalikwest discovery). The video introduces the UK to the North American scene, which is a welcomed effort to help the Asian music industry across the Atlantic. Check out these exclusive shots and check out the site for "THE MUSIC MAN" www.sukshindershinda.com.

Sukhshinder Shinda 'Balle' Video

The DesiRock vibe is all set to re-ignite to the pleasure of Swami followers. Exclusive DJ vinyl will be available in Jan 2005 with DesiRock Parts I and II plus favourite other remixes. The collective are planning an EP droppin' in Feb featuring all DesiRock mixes plus 2 brand new Swami tracks. They recently won desitunes4u album of the year as voted by da crew. They were the only artists to be nominated for 3 awards at this year BrAsian Music Awards, which are Best Track Of The Year - DesiRock, Best Group - Swami and Best Producer - Diamond (DJ Swami). This is the beginning of big things to come from Swami, be sure to keep it locked to www.desirock.com for all the latest on them.

Now for some news on J Skillz, who has just come back from Dallas and Houston where he played a few gigs over the New Year. He features in a new film called 'Once Upon In India', which has big Bollywood actors playing the parts of bhangra artists. It consists of three shorter films which total about an hour, and in part two Amitabh Bachan plays Skillz, who told Richard that he feels honoured to have the Bollywood legend taking his role. It's a world first seeing a bhangra artists being played in a Bollywood movie, which just shows the increasing profile of such artists internationally.

Some news of Preston city's finest now, Illegal Demo the producers that brought us Dekh Jawani and Tor Punjab Da, have finally announced details of their debut album, due out in April 05. Apart from working of the album the boys have been indulging in some soundtrack work, for an upcoming film called Chicken Tikka Masala. The boys have produced 4-5 tracks with one mainstream track currently in the process of being signed to a mainstream label. The movie itself revolves around an English girl falling in love with an Asian guy, set in Preston, which made Illegal Demo the perfect choice for producers of the soundtrack. The film stars legendary Bollywood actor Saeed Jaffrey and Zohra Segal, along side such

Chicken Tikka Masala

well know Brit Asian actors as Chris Bisson and Jinder Mahal. Early reviews make this a top Brit film for 2005, so keep your eyes peeled for the release. Irfan managed to link up with the talented trio at their studio in Preston recently; click here to see what went down.

SK1 is ready to deliver a brand new album early this year. The album has 8 huge tracks unlike any others and with his unique style of singing, this album is ready to set standards amongst the rest and deliver an innovative sound to the listeners. Get ready as the new album by SK1 saturates the Asian Music Market, Radio, TV Stations publications and your minds. It can only be described as an "Incredible piece of art in the form of audio." We will say no more, as the proofs in the pudding! Heavy video and airplay are tied in with this release, from the East London based singer, and will no doubt prove a hit with his traditional style of production.

Popsy is all-set to release his 3rd solo album, entitled Bangin, having already released two self-produced solo recordings - "Heavy Duty" and "Larger Than Life" with his production credits including the vocal talents of such names as Kuldip Manak, Lember Hussainpuri, Shin (D.C.S.), Ranjit Mani and Balkar Sidhu. With 'Bangin!' Popsy, an innovator and conceptualist from day one, aims to strengthen the musical foundation of the Bhangra movement in the UK and take his musical story one step further. He's better known as being the keyboardist for Jazzy B but whatever genre of Punjabi music he is working in, he takes a bit of musical essence from his mentor Sukshinder Shinda. Bangin is due for release in February; check out www.popsyonline.com for more info.

That's all from me taking you into 2005 Desitunes4u style! Rakesh