Yes yes people am back in the UK after my two month long tour of North America, and ready to hit you all with your monthly fix of desi news. This month we got many a new artist to introduce you too so get ready for a special new artists profile edition of the news. Rakesh and Irfan team up again…so enjoy!

We kick of this month with M.I.A the talented British-Sri Lankan artist has had her debut album Arular nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize: click here to view the desitunes4u album review. The album is one of 12 albums short-listed for the coveted prize. For more info then check out the official site at www.nationwidemercurys.com. It's is another giant step for the artist who has taken USA by storm. She recently featured on Missy Elliot's album 'Cookbook' on a track called 'Bad Man' which also featured Vybez Cartel. The talented rapper from London is soon performing in New York, Reading, Leeds, Athens, Washington, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo and Buenos Aires. For more info on M.I.A check out her website at www.miauk.com.

On August 29th UB40 release 'Reasons', the second single to be taken from the 'Who You Fighting For' album, and features Hunterz and the Dhol Blasters, who appeared alongside UB40 when they performed at The Live8 concert in Hyde Park on the 2nd of July. The Dhol Blasters are a team of young vibrant dholis based in Birmingham. Founded 10 years ago by Gurcharan Mall, one of the most renowned musicians in the UK Asian music scene, with the aim of bringing the rich culture of Asian music to a far wider audience. UB40 are a legendary band who 23 albums to their name and a massive 50 'Top 40' hits making the band the 3rd most successful singles chart in UK history; only Status Quo and The Shadows, have had more hit singles. Hunterz caught up with Masaeb not too long ago: click here to see what went down.

UB40/Hunterz - Reasons

Next up let's talk about a track that has been doing some serious damage on the radio and clubs alike. Point Of Xstaci kicks off with an exaggerated intro and then Mehi's vocals are gradually introduced to great effect. Then an ultra funky beat compliments Mehi's astounding vocals. The sublime music courtesy of Djinn has an airy feel to it combined with an up-tempo vibe, which makes it completely distinctive. Who needs ecstasy when this tune is guaranteed to chill-you out and hit the right spot. Trust me you've never heard anything like this before! The Qawalified Mix starts with Mehi given it all with some mind-blowing qawalli style vocals which sets the tone for the rest of the track. The super slick production from Djinn is on show for all to admire with him adjusting the overall pace with complete ease from fast to slow and vice versa. This is guaranteed to be a dance floor super smash hit everywhere from the clubs of Ibiza to your village back home! To buy the single for only £1.99 click here now!!

MC Menis and DJ Nazza T - SSHH!

Something a bit more urban and underground now, two guys who are bursting onto the mainstream after years on the UK underground club scene. MC Menis and DJ Nazza T are the two of the newest talents to hook up to form a collective musical experience. MC Menis spent much of his career MC'ing around the country and at events such as last years London Mela and Zee TV's Mega Mela. DJ Nazza T is a DJ/Producer who has been DJ'ing along side Sweetbeatz across the

The mighty Tigerstyle have been busy remixing; this time on a raggaeton flex!! They have remixed 'El Tiburon' which was originally by Luny Tunes, Baby Ranks and Alexis and Fido. They have also applied their magic to 'Rakata' by Wisin Y Yandel. Both the mixes have been given an Eastern Raggaeton refix courtesy of Machete Music. The Scottish duo has also released an EP, which is available on vinyl only called 'Bhang goes tha riddim!!' which is a must for any serious DJ as Tigerstyle have put together six of the most danceable rhythm driven tracks to hit the bhangra scene. It includes "El Tiburon" feat Loony Tunes / Baby Rank / Alexis Y Fido / Labh Janjua, "Mi Nuh Dun" feat Macka Diamond / Mad Cobra / Pamma, "Girl From Pakistan" feat Elephant Man / Bhupi Gill (Steps Rhythm), "Punjabi Lean Back" feat Labh Janjua / Terror Squad, "Ishq Nagni" feat Mr Vegas / Labh Janjua (Coolie Dance) and "Stop what you're doin" feat Stimuli / Kaka (Billie Jean / Ice Ice Baby). You can buy the EP direct from their site now at www.tigerstyleonline.co.uk.

Soldier Stamp

Rooting for Desi (Punjab) - The Game - is the latest music album to hit the Asian music circuit and is now available in all you usual desi outlets in the UK. It can only be described as desi groove all round - the newest Bhangra album will launch this summer by the hottest knights of Bhangra Four Of A Kind (F.O.A.K). Saqi Roadshow DJ's Manj, Amma, Dee, and Shera have for a long time been at the forefront as Midlands based Bhangra DJ's - playing to UK and international (Dubai, Mumbai, Holland, Denmark) crowds - Launching their production name, F.O.A.K, Bhangra will be brought back! F.O.A.K have just returned from Mumbai having shot a video for a reproduced version of the massive 80's anthem Rail Gaddi. The track has been re-sung by original vocalist, Mangal Singh blended with a couple of catchy Boliyan (Punjabi Folk Rhymes). The music video has been shot by award winning producer Sumit Dutt of Mise En Scene. Four Of A Kind have also signed a major record deal with India's Largest Company T Series. The deal will enable Four Of A Kind to work with some of the biggest singers in Bollywood such as Adnan Sami Khan and Sonu Nigham, and produce exclusive re-mixes for Bollywood soundtracks. As well as working with India's biggest Bhangra singers, such as Gurdas Maan / Babbu Maan who are also signed with the company. For more information of the quartet check out their website at www.saqiroadshow.com.

It's time to vibe with Priya - the latest talent hailing from Canada. Delivered with conviction and compassion, her songs will rip through your heart as she sings every song with honesty and emotion. Priya offers a unique blend of modern R&B, old school soul and Indian classical vocal stylings. Known for her electrifying live performances the power in Priya's voice is obvious. Recently Priya performed at her Toronto's 'Masala!Mehndi!Masti! Festival', which saw over 100,000 people attend. As an entertainer from childhood Priya was studying and performing Braratanatyam (a style of Indian classical dance) from the tender age of seven receiving many awards and acknowledgements in the process. By her teens Priya had travelled to India to further her studies in Khatak dance. Upon returning to India she begun studies in Indian classical singing while also performing ghazals. It wasn't long before she branched out to singing R&B, Raggae and Soca in local Toronto bands such as Esquire. He distinctive sound is a culmination of these

Priya

musical experiences. Priya is immersed in her music, writing her own vocal melodies, harmonies, lyrics and co writing on her upcoming debut album, which is set to drop in early 2006. For info check out her website at www.priyasvibe.com.

Now something exclusively for the US desi's out there, a brand new MTV channel called MTV Desi has just launched state side giving all you South Asians a taste our own culture and lifestyle, playing round the clock desi music. MTV Desi like all MTV channels also boost shows aimed at young American Asians in the US, shows such as Maximum Party and a reality show from India, as well as the usual viewer play list and chart shows. MTV Desi also has its own in house VJ's, in the form of Tim Kash, who is known to UK audiences as MTV UK news anchor and previously host of the new look Top Of The Pops chart show on BBC 1. Tim a UK second generation Asian recently presented a special MTV Documentary about the Tsunami from Sri Lanka. Along side him is US-born Asian Niharika Desai who is debuting in front of the cameras. MTV Desi is available in the US only at the moment and you can get connected and switched on by contacting Direct TV. For more info check out www.mtv.com/mtvsites/desi.

Suman B aka SLY

Next up in terms of fresh desi female talent we present to you a talented singer, songwriter, producer and rapper by the name of Suman B also known as SLY. This all in one female talent has it all and started forming her skills at the tender age of 9 and performing at 11. Encouraged by her father and brother, Suman began composing musical arrangements and developed a taste for the urban scene. Soon after her writing abilities blossomed and she began compose entire tracks and lay down production for them. At the moment Suman has worked on her track called "Desi Tune" with the help of DJ and producer Khiza as well as working on production for her own album. You can catch Suman at events this summer across the UK. For more info check out her website at www.sumanb.com.

Some more fresh talent for y'all. When you hear the infectious voice of Simz you have to wonder where her influences come from. Born in Toronto, Canada to South Asian parents. Her parents recall Simz as having an ear for music at a very young age. She could tell if something was out of tune or off beat since she was six. Simz has had the opportunity to relocate to Mumbai, India during her teenage years to study music with distinguished gurus. This is where she obtained degrees in both Indian Classical Vocal (ragas) and dance (Bharatnatyam). Putting the vocal aspect of her career aside, Simz' collection of dance awards and designations is very impressive as well. The most unique aspect of Simz' talent is that she able to sing in almost any language. She believes that this is a gift from God. She has already recorded in 6 different languages and has performed in over 12. In addition to song and dance, Simz has also had training in playing the piano, violin and harmonium. Currently, Simz is unsigned and resides in Toronto where she continues to work on tracks for her upcoming album. For more info on Simz check out website at www.simzmusic.com.

Swami continue to break down borders and take British Asian music into a new dimension by becoming the first international band to sign with Sony BMG India. The band will be over in October to headline the MTV Style Awards in Mumbai, and to promote their upcoming album. They will also be heading back to India again at the end of the year to tour. This follows a series of headlining appearances all around the world, including Glastonbury and the recent Les Nuits Celtes Festival in France, where Swami's new line-up had an audience of over 10,000 people going crazy, crowd surfing and loving the DesiRock vibe. Other big names that

Swami in France

played at the festival include Rachid Taha and Nigerian legend Femi Kuti. Make sure to check out the all new Swami website at www.swamimusic.com, where you can find pictures and video clips of the band from all their recent gigs, exclusive MP3 downloads for registered members.

After the smash hit Aaja Sajana, singer songwriter Ajay returns with an all dhols blasting, urban club classic. Funki Dholi, available for radio play from 25th July, is a pure adrenalin rush of music, with a feel-good factor that's off the scale. Digging deeper into a uniquely British-Asian lifestyle, the track tells the story of an everyday clubber on the Asian scene and celebrates the iconic position held by the Dhol player. The track features the superb dhol playing skills of one of the finest dhol players in the country, Prithpal Rajput. Ajay comments "Funki Dholi, is my personal shout out to all the Dhol players out there. They are the foundation stone of every Asian gig and when all else fails, they are the ones who usually save the day and rock the house. It's about time they were paid tribute to with a song!" Funki Dholi is written and performed by Ajay; it will be on Ajay's forthcoming debut album 'Sitting Down Too Long' and will be supported by a video. The track will be featured in the recommended section on the Napster.com homepage. For more info check out his website at www.ajayhq.com.

Kang is a 21-year-old producer hailing from Leicester. He has producing for about 4

Kang

years now and is ready to make his mark and have his music heard. He has a huge love for Hip Hop and has been influenced by the greatest of the genre… Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, Eminem, 2pac, Biggie Smalls just to name a few. Kang is a producer who has spent years learning the background of his craft and analysing different forms of music. This knowledge is clear when you hear is music. Kang has been working hard on his album/Mixtape that will be available via his website and on the streets in various towns throughout the UK in mid September. The album will be nothing but Hip Hop and RnB. The album will feature a host of home grown talent and talent from overseas. For more information about Kang and the album check out his website at www.faithlessproductions.com.

Finally we'll finish off with some news in brief. The MIDIval PunditZ's are the first Delhi based outfit to make a name for themselves internationally by getting signed to USA based Six Degrees Records. The MIDIval PunditZ's duo Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj 2nd album entitled MIDIval Times; click here for album review - is set for an official UK Release on the 23rd of August 2005. Panjabi By Nature is set to release his brand new album in September called 'Ready Or Not.' Watch out for a compilation called Gettin Serious out soon which has a heavy involvement from Aman Hayer as well as featuring Lehmber Hussainpuri, Sabar Koti, Daljit Mattu, Kam Bhamra and Jeeti. Last but not least Dhol Cutz 3 is out now; it is the third instalment in series of bhangra dance floor albums, which features production from Kam Frantic, Project Asia and Harvey Sahota.

That's it for the news…! The Lemon Group are putting together an all-Asian girl band and an Asian urban act two girls and one boy. The vocals of the famous Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan may be respectfully used alongside some of the tracks on the album. Auditions dates are to be confirmed; please see www.thelemongroup.com for more details, audition times and dates!