BMT Mailout – A bite sized review of music played in The Bhangra Mixtape with Sonnyji – Saturday 29th Oct 2011
Hello all. This week’s show was as jam packed as ever featuring a chat with 18 year old Punjabi singing sensation D-Sarb as well as some hot mashup’s that included
XLNC’s ‘Tappe 4×4’ into some deep Techy House by Christian Varela
Popcaan’s ‘Ravin’ into Jr Dread’s ‘Jogi’
3 Mix into Utah Saints
The Truth into Nero’s ‘Crush on You’
along with beats from
Bikram Singh, Saini Surinder, XS Bass, Jazzy B, Kanye, Menis, Bert on Beats, SKream and loads more
So let’s kick off with just a few tracks that featured in the mix. And remember this show is best heard in full so you know what to do.
Saini Surinder – ‘Thor’ (E3UK Records) – 0:06:00 into the show on the iplayer > This track it seems build week on week. Saini being strong off his success on Gupsy Aujla’s ‘Bhangra’ comes back with this banger and truth be told seems to have worked his magic again. Even though this track is no longer in the Asian Download Chart anymore I still think it’s got some steam in it yet. Will Saini repeat what we saw with Jaswinder Daghamia? Only time will tell. But for now let’s enjoy this piece of upbeat Bhangra which is turning into one of the big tracks this year so far.
Bikram Singh – ‘Kina Sohna Munda’ (Soldier Sound) - 0:12:00 in on iplayer > After the track that was ‘Beyonce’ New York vocalist Bikram Singh makes a welcome return to form with this one. Tigerstyle as ever on production duties and have to say this is sounding hot! the synth stabs along with the ferocious beat programming along the now signature Tigerstyle electronica musings elevate this Desi track to heights not achieved by all Bhangra producers but only bolsters their reputation and of course of Bikram Singh who shines on this.
Zeus – Zindabaad ‘Bloodline Summer Mix’ (Envy) – 0:15:30 in on iplayer > I love this mix. It’s gritty, nasty and gets under your skin in a way that’s very different to the original more Bhangra friendly version which is also decent. There’s rock and electronica vibes happening here along with a banging kick drum which keeps things firmly in dance floor territory. Zeus’s return to form has been realized via his new album also of the same name where this is from and even though there doesn’t seem to be much a hype over previous releases I think this album shows a return to Zeus’s previous form and a sound that got everyone’s attention in the first place. Granted having Sharmilla on each track might be a bit overkill but there’s not doubt the album sound is good.
Metz n Trix – OMG (White) - 0:18:00 in on iplayer >This has got better week on week with each play. After the dance banger that is ‘Has has’ Surinder Rattan keeps things on the same trajectory on his latest production. It’s clear that Imran Khan was first to whole heartedly embrace the dance sound and Rattan of late is adamant it seems to stamp his own style of production style within this genre. Metz n Trix keep the flow alive throughout the song and due to their backround in club sounds they’re right at home with the vibe that this track creates and even manage a punjabi line in the middle. Get ready, get set?
Jeeti Ft Ravi Duggal – Ranjhana – (Moviebox) – 0:23:00 in on iplayer >This is a great piece of production from Midlands based producer Jeeti. There’s some great guitar and flute sounds which bounce over the top of some tight production that keep the vibe in urban territory rather than traditional a traditional Bhangra style.
Shizzio – You’re A Star – (White) – 0:26:26 in on iplayer > Shizzio shines all the time when coupled with Tigerstyle and this has happened on this release which also features Nikitta famous from the third season of X Factor. The song discusses the struggle to make it in the game and the challenges that can be faced by artists trying the break through day to day. Previous collabs with Tigerstyle have included ‘I swear’, ‘Save the Music’ and from Tigerstyle’s album “Mystics, Martyrs & Maharaja’s the track ‘Maharaja’. I’m feeling an album with the scottish due might not be such a bad thing as when paired good things tend to happen.
Jr Dread Ft Amrita Virk – Jogi – (Hi-Tec Music) - 0:34:50 in on iplayer > This Hip Hop inspired slab of Bhangra is Jr Dread’s latest release since is his debut album in 2008. Dread has been known for trying out different genre’s on production and this is evident here. Amrita sounds great. All in all a decent return to form for a track that what has all the hallmarks to please the masses while having at some credible appeal production wise.
Menis – I Don’t Really Care – (Brown Boi) – 0:51:30 in on iplayer > Menis has developed as an MC over the years and on this it shows. The production on this comes from Zaheer Music and it delivers big time with a gritty sound that we could do with more of today. A vicious beat coupled with Menis’s speedy bars make this work.
D-Sarb – Ake Nachle – (Beat Circle) - 1:02:40 in on iplayer > D-Sarb is an 18 year old Punjabi singer that hails from Oxford. He joined me for a quick chat on the phone in which we discussed his future ambition of singing with hero Sukshinder Shinda along with his new album which is being worked on right now all while doing his A-levels. His slower number ‘Panchi Vangu’ has been a surprise ray of light highlighting his capability to sing the more deeper songs as well as the usual more upbeat styles also. Showing such talent from an early age is always a positive and I’m interested to hear where his sound will take him in the future. ‘Ake Nachle’ is taken from his 2nd E.P. titled ‘Music n Me’ and features with other songs ‘Panchi Vangu’ and ‘Kya Yehi Pyar Hai’ all produced by UK producer D-Boy. He’s one to watch this lad.
Christian Varela – Space – (Respekt Recordings) – 1:25:00 in on iplayer > Strong drums, a driving bass line and an infectious tribal energy that pins you to the floor. This tech house track by Varela’s kicks some serious ass. It grooves along nicely and has the kind of dance loop that commands your attention. The interaction between the drum hits the bass and elevating siren sounds throughout make this infectious! Wanna hear how this smashes up against Tappe 4×4? Be sure to check out the show.
Bilal Khan – Bachana – ‘Bobby Wonda Remix’ – 1:35:00 in on iplayer > (white) – Bobby Wonda takes Bilal’s acoustic love song and quite simply tears it a new one. The vibe here is a full on Dubstep and works well after the build up and break. The vocals weave effortlessly through the production which works around the original song rather than away from it.
Machines Don’t Care – Full Moon – (Cheap Thrills) – 1:38:25 in on iplayer > Old skool, old skool and more old skool. It seems lately the dance fraternity have been going back to the synth rave sounds of old and no label more than Herve’s Cheap Thrills. Machines Don’t Care is Herve’s collaborative moniker and this track features on his latest ‘Incoming E.P.’. ‘Full Moon’ feels like a backdrop to Halloween especially when you consider the cheeky wolf howl in the middle of the break. Add some heavy bass, a few female 90’s chants and we’re ravin, we’re ravin, we’re ravin! BIG!
Skream – Anticipate – ‘Netsky Mix’ (Rinse) – 1:56:40 in on iplayer > The original track dropped a few months back but now it gets a proper release with a remix from Cassius and this Funky D&B version from Netsky. This remix is the best of the bunch for me. A strong lead sound and just the right vocal hook that slaps you into next week. Netsky delivers a clean-banging remix which takes the original to new heights and brings an energy that he is so well known for. Will leave you smiling this. Uplifting!
Listen to the full show right HERE and access full tracklisting








