Wass-up people; its Rakesh and Irfan are back again this month for another update, with the movers and shakers making the news headlines. Its exam season right now, so why not take the perfect excuse for a break and revise this month's news.
We kick off with the original Don Raja who is back! The new Apache Indian single 'The Israelites' with Desmond Dekker is currently on promo in the UK. All DJ's simple email musicmgmt@hotmail.com for your promo copy now! The track, which is a cover of the 1968 #1, is set for UK release on Monday 4th July 2005. The video has been playlisted on KISS TV and you can keep it on full rotation by calling 09056 525 222 and vote '630.' This is the first single off the brand new Apache Indian album entitled 'Time For Change' which will be released in the Uk on the 18th of July 2005. It is a fantastic 18-track album featuring: Desmond Dekker, Luciano, Pras (Fugees), Miss Jade, El Feco and Lady Ru so it's definitely one for your collection. It features production from Simon (Subs), Diamond (DJ Swami), Handel Tucker of Jamaican Groove Society, Jim Beanz of Sunset Entertainment Group, and Charlie Brown of Karmasound. The CD will feature a 10-page colour CD booklet including lyrics to all songs and exclusive photos. Look out for live tour dates as Apache and The Reggae Revolution Band confirm a world tour including Austria, South Africa, North America, Japan, India, and most of Europe to support the album release: check www.reggaerevolution.net for more info. Apache has released a Tsunami single called 'Om Numah Shivaya', which is available from www.downloadaid.com. Apache Indian will be featuring on a track called 'Light My Fire' on Fugees member 'Pras' second solo album, "Win, Lose or Draw" which has been produced by Diamond (DJ Swami) and is set for release on the 14th of June.
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Djinn recently linked up for an exclusive interview with Jon B who is an exotic singer songwriter producer lyricist and instrumentalist, who brings distinctive sound to our ears. In the interview Djinn asked 'Now our own desi dude "Mentor" did a remix on the single as well. What's your personal opinion on that remix?' and Jon B's reply was 'I love that remix man, that's like, I just see like, just total exotic places when I hear that record, y'know, I see exotic women I see beautiful shades of difference on that record, just amazing. Amazing video concepts come into mind when I hear that record.' Djinn goes on to |
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ask 'The Asian market is huge in the UK. How did the concept of doing something for the Asian scene come about?' and Jon B's reply was 'That was actually something that was inspired by the producers around here just feeling the album, like the local DJs having the fly idea to put the remix on it, because I do have an Asian fan base, so it like it putting that whole style of music mixing the Punjabi style with it and….' It's a really in-depth and up close interview that you just must check out: click here to read Djinn's interview of Jon B. Djinn himself who is a rising star linked up with Irfan earlier in the year; click here to see what went down. |
It's time to announce the comeback of the legendary bhangra band 'Achanak.' Having toured for the last three years in Europe Achanak are now putting the final touches to their ninth album. Contributions to the album have come from Manjeet Singh (Canada), Desi Dark Child and Tigerstyle. Vijay (lead singer of Achanak says 'the album has been crafted over a long time largely because of our touring commitments but it has been an enjoyable experience.' The album will comprise of nine tracks and is largely dance orientated with clear evidence of the live experience of Achanak gained in Europe. Vijay goes on to say 'the great and unique element about Achanak is that they have a large market to service. The album sales will happen throughout Europe with established mainstream distributors - in addition to the traditional Asian market.' The Achanak album is set for release in July. Nachural Records and coming back in a big way and we can announce the forthcoming summer release of Purely Nachural 9 which is the most successful compilation series in the bhangra market. With tracks from established artists such as Achanak, to new artists such as Sonia Panesar and Affiniti, and new vocalists from India - the latest offering will certainly be the strongest.
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It's time to announce some brand new talent coming out of Scotland. The 12-track album 'Sparked' is to be released by the Northern Lights, which consists of Tarv and Lil Dev. They are from Glasgow and have been behind the scenes for the past two years but they are now ready to make their mark on the desi music industry. The album |
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Northern Lights - Sparked |
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itself will be released on VIP Records on the 24th of June. It features the vocal talents of Kuldip Manak, Labh Janjua, Lembher Hussainpuri, Kaka Bhainiavaala, Tanveer Gogi and many more. The album features different styles of tracks with the unique Northern Lights Urban Desi sound. It's freshly produced with the boys steering well clear of samples to showcase their production talents. The album includes many different flexes including two new urban talents with sick Mc talents from the States. The album also features a bonus track, which is an exclusive remix done by Tigerstyle. The video will be appearing on the desi music channels in early June 2005. To buy the album; click here now! |
Moviebox are all set to release an album called 'Pata Nahi Jind Kad Mukhjanaey' in aid of the Tsunami charity appeal. The title track features the vocal talents of four singers whom are the lethal combination of Shin (DCS), Jassi Sidhu, Sukhbir and Taz (Stereo Nation) so watch out for the video for this beautiful song, as it will be hitting your screens real soon. Kami K has produced a track called 'Duniya Chalo Chali Da Mela' which features Balwinder Bhatti, Ray Khan (NRG), R.J, Sonia Mehta and Shubra. Kami K has also done a 'Stand Up' remix of the same track, which features Raja Wilco who is a rapper from the USA. Hunterz has produced a track, which features the vocal talents of the immensely talented Ishers. The album also includes a track from the Pakistani pop sensation Shehzad Roy as well as production from the 'music man' Sukshinder Shinda. The album will feature 8 to 10 tracks in total and will be released in late June.
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Sona Family Presents Hard Kaur as part of a 4 track EP releasing mid-July in all the Asian music shops. The EP will include the club banger Glassy, Glassy pt 2 a brand new track with a whole host of guest rappers from the UK and USA, Bang Boogie 2005 and the classic Indian Style. Check out the video for Glassy now on Zee Music Box (No: 889) and B4U music. Also stay tuned for Hard Kaur's long awaited debut album which is being released late summer. As well as this the Trailblazerz have done an official remix for SRC/Universal artist David Banner. The track is called "I Ain't |
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Got Nothing" and features a rap from Sona Family's Mr Riz as well as Gangsta Punjabi vocals from Des-C of Mentor Kolektiv. David Banner, who hails from the dirty South state of Mississippi, is signed to SRC, the label that puts out Terror Squad and Akon. After hearing the Trailblazerz remix of Lean Back, the label decided to enlist the productions skills of Harry of the Trailblazerz to bring an Asian hip hop twist to the single. The single will also have a UK Hip Hop Remix featuring Rodney P and Dirty Goods. If you haven't already got a copy of the Sona Family's 100 Rupees Mixtape (click here for album review) then you can get it now from www.sonafamily.com. |
As we enter into the British summer season, you can't help but look at the plush green leaves on the trees, the rude boys pumping their subs to almost heart aching volumes, and all the pretty kuriya that walk by. But there's once place that you can get all that and great food, its Mela season again in the UK, and as always DT4U is leading the way in bringing you all the dates, line up, pictures and reaction to melas up and down the country from Scotland to Southampton, there's not a town/city in the country that doesn't stage a Mela these days, and for artists it's a key time to show off some of their latest sounds and performances hoping to make it your sound of the summer.
To give you the most comprehensive Mela guide on the net, we request all readers, promoters, artists and organisers to send us in your Mela information, dates, line up, location and features to ensure that everyone can, particular families, enjoy this cultural festival.
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A hot topic at the moment is the whole sampling situation so Irfan took it upon himself to ask Matt Phillips of the BPI 'how seriously are you taking the issue of unauthorised sampling within the bhangra industry?' Matt's word for word response was "In the case of the DJ Sanj album [Authorised (back cover on the left - click on cover to view full size)] the copyrights of our independent members, who specialise in Bhangra and Bollywood soundtracks, and our members who own the UK rights for the US hip hop, were infringed. It's fair to say that the independents in particular were outraged by this, and we've moved quickly to prevent further sales of the album. It's not our policy to comment on any future action, but our members are well aware that we take copyright infringement cases extremely seriously and will move quickly to protect their rights when required." |
As well as this we have written an editorial about sampling in the Asian music industry, which is sure to throw the door open once again on this issue. When is it right to sample a mainstream beat and how do you know how much to sample? We take an in-depth look at the potentially damaging practise of sampling that unfortunately goes beyond the Asian club nights. How does sampling happen? What happens if the law gets involved? We can confirm that the BPI will be monitoring the desitunes4u album reviews and we will continue to highlight use of samples as we have done since day one which goes back to August 2001; click here to check out our album review section. Lets just say it's not advisable for you to continue to use uncleared samples but hey…what do we know!
The Dhol Foundation's long waited new album titled 'Drum - Believable', was released on the 13th of June on their brand new label "TDF Records" with assistance from their publishers Real World Works Ltd. This new collection of Dhol-tastic sounds brings together various writers such as Ustad Sultan Khan, Mairead Nesbitt, Mantu, Eric Jaeger and UK Bhangra artist Bee2, all hand picked by TDF founder himself, Johnny Kalsi. The Dhol Foundation has spent the last three years touring and recording dozens of tunes around the globe from as far apart as Ireland to Toronto. It features thirteen tracks which have been hand picked by Kalsi, with the sounds of not only the traditional Dhol played by members of the TDF, but also other world instruments such as the cello, harmonium, Spanish guitar, bongos, tabla and many more. Drum-Believable explores the world of Punjabi beats, which not only means the sound of the Dhol but also a mixture of percussionists and vocalists such as Pandit Yash, Nadeem, Suhail Salamat and Sonia Panesar. Johnny Kalsi has been playing the dhol for over 23 years and has been a member of the group 'Alaap' plus had tracks of his featured on films such as Gangs of New York and The Hulk. To see what we thought of the album click here to view our review. For more info on the band and details of forthcoming 'live' performances check out their site at www.dholfoundation.com.
| Ajay who is a name we mentioned a few months back here on the news, has released his debut EP on the 12th of May, which boasts 8 tracks, which follows on from his success with his singles Cheti Kar and Aaja Sajana. This talented singer/song writer has been dubbed the most promising Asian artist, with his amazing soulful voice, and blend of Asian beats and urban rock. London born Ajay is not your industry standard Asian vocalist; he has an array of talents, including being a song writter, producer and multi instrumentalist. Signed up by Sa Re Ga Ma record label, Ajay's EP 'Aaja Sajana' is already on the path for success. Amarpal Gaind from Sa Re Ga Ma did not hesitate to sign up their first British Asian artist, "Ajay's sounds are extremely fresh and exciting, we believe |
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| he will go very far. Having worked with many successful artists, we believe Ajay will also follow suit." The easy listening EP consists of various tunes ranging from pop to R'n'B styles, using Ajay's extraordinary guitar skills. The Jackal, worked closely with Ajay to remix the already well-known tune Aaja Sajana, said: "Ajay is a truly inspiring young musical talent and a pleasure to work with." |
Suga Kane Records will be releasing the highly anticipated Hip Hop album "West Coast Desi" on June 10th 2005 by UnderWorld Ent. The album features rappers from Suge Knights' Tha Row, Kurupt formerly of Tha Dogg Pound, Bohemia, Big Suga Kane, DJ Scorpio and many other North America West Coast based artists. It's a 16-track album, which will be sold for only £8.99 across the UK. Big Suga Kane earlier this week stated that "this is the best hip hop album ever made by desi's, it easily holds its own, and stands up to any mainstream hip hop album, from 50 cent, to Snoop Dogg. After this album is released any desi's trying to do hip hop are gonna look stupid if it ain't up to scratch, cause we've proved with this album that just cause your desi and not black don't mean that you have an excuse to make weak hip-hop tracks." Promos will be up soon at www.SugaKaneRecords.com. Suga Kane Records has just signed singer Binder Bajwa from Envy-Roma. For all those of you don't know, Binder Bajwa is the amazing voice from the hit track, "Tere Toor" featuring Apache Indian, from Sub's album 2 years ago. He's also done a couple tracks on DJ Sanj's albums in the America's Most Wanted series. Code Red is currently in the studio with Binder working on Binder Bajwa's long overdue debut album.
A new talent to burst on the scene, and this time he's got green eyes! Katz eyes if you will, this young Canadian is taking the underground and mainstream hip hop scene by storm with already 10K sales under his belt and all without a major distributor. Blending thoughtful lyrics and rhymes and the uncanny ability to switch the flow to cool reggae has ensured that Katz eyes is blowing up. Coming from a Caribbean community Katz eyes draws his talent from his upbringing of a mix of south Asian and West Indian influences. Now with his own record label, Hangover Records based in Toronto as a platform for his own career, he released his debut EP called "Slept On" which soon won him a cult following with his mild mannered charm. For a successful debut album, legendary producer Marcus Kane, the man behind Canada's first chart rapper Snow, and he is now Kat Eyez's first choice producer. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for this talented rapper from the T.DOT. Be sure to check out his website www.kateyez.com for all the latest on him.
That's everything desi for this month. I'm going on a mad road trip lasting a mammoth 46 days of USA/Canada soon so won't be available to do the news month. Watch out North America here I come...Rakesh.
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