Hans Mann is raw upcoming Canadian talent to watch out for. I predict 2010 will be his year and many of you will come to know of his name. He's a producer of many talents, plays all his own instruments and has his own band of like-minded individuals "Avalla". Here is a monster track he recently produced for "Deep Jandhu". Having met him once, he is also a very humble and down to earth dude. Enjoy...
Deep Jandu appears to a great vocalist as well, and the video of this track is on-point as well.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
2009 a Year of Duets
After a bit of a hiatus I'm back. I know I have not been posting as much as I did a year ago, however, this year, I've made a concious decision resolution to continue this blog- irrelavant of how many visitors I get. Every now and then I recieve compliments from the few who read it and ask me to continue it. So this is why I'm back. I promise to do at least 2 posts a week regarding bhangra or anything bhangra related. So without further adue...
One of the first things I want to talk about this year is the "Duets". I think everyone and their fathers had a duet song with Miss Pooja last year, you may have recorded one as well and not know it. Just google "[your name] feat Miss Pooja" to be sure.
I have talked about this "monkey see, monkey do" mentality before and yet year after year its the same thing - 'you have a duet song, well then i must do the same'. As much as pure desi heads rant about "UK Bhangra" and how the "UK singers don't know how to sing, etc.." Bhangra from the motherland hasn't gotten any better. The producers in India are using the same cookie-cutter template of beats, with same repeatative loops and the same song structure; where Miss Pooja, Sudesh Kumari, etc verses are cut and pasted with another aspiring "male star". And the videos, don't get me started on the videos...you will need to read my previous blog post for that.
Don't get me wrong, out of simple probability and mathematics, if you record 30 of these duets in a month, 1 or 2 song must become dancefloor hits. And "hits" are relative to who you ask. For instance "Chabbi" is huge hit in UK but rest of 'desi' Canada and India, nobody really wants to hear it.
A few years ago, UK scene was again pushing envelopes, experimenting with UK Garage, Drum n' Bass, etc. While at the same time, also producing the pure hardcore bhangra tracks (i.e. "Tharti Hildi"). At this time, just like Miss Pooja duets, it seemed Lehmber was 'rinsed' in the UK, but here is the difference, every UK producer gave him their own touch. Zues, Swami, PJD, RDB, etc all added unique flavours to Lehmber's voice. And this made for an interesting listen and healthy competition. This is also why my ears can still tolerate Lehmber to this day, while hearing another duet from India makes me cringe. With current duets you cannot tell one song apart from the other, unless if they are really distinct, its like finding a sui in a haystack or you just have to be totally drunk at a wedding to appreciate it.
I do understand and respect that duets have been part of punjabi folk culture, from likes of Didar Sandhu & Amar Noori, Mohammed Saddiq & Ranjit Kaur, Chamkila & Amarjot, but these 'jodis' had a history together, whereas nowadays, if you have the money, you could probably have someone like Miss Pooja feature with you, no kidding. Nowadays, there is no connection between the 2 duet singers, very rarely will you feel the chemistry between the two, and when you do, I guess those are the songs which are considered "hits".
How long will this trend last? I do not really have an answer to this but I do know that the scene is currently over-saturated. I would have prefered duets in moderation, as they say "too much of anything is never a good thing". Hopefully this year we see a decline in some of these duets and the UK scene picks up.
One of the first things I want to talk about this year is the "Duets". I think everyone and their fathers had a duet song with Miss Pooja last year, you may have recorded one as well and not know it. Just google "[your name] feat Miss Pooja" to be sure.
I have talked about this "monkey see, monkey do" mentality before and yet year after year its the same thing - 'you have a duet song, well then i must do the same'. As much as pure desi heads rant about "UK Bhangra" and how the "UK singers don't know how to sing, etc.." Bhangra from the motherland hasn't gotten any better. The producers in India are using the same cookie-cutter template of beats, with same repeatative loops and the same song structure; where Miss Pooja, Sudesh Kumari, etc verses are cut and pasted with another aspiring "male star". And the videos, don't get me started on the videos...you will need to read my previous blog post for that.
Don't get me wrong, out of simple probability and mathematics, if you record 30 of these duets in a month, 1 or 2 song must become dancefloor hits. And "hits" are relative to who you ask. For instance "Chabbi" is huge hit in UK but rest of 'desi' Canada and India, nobody really wants to hear it.
A few years ago, UK scene was again pushing envelopes, experimenting with UK Garage, Drum n' Bass, etc. While at the same time, also producing the pure hardcore bhangra tracks (i.e. "Tharti Hildi"). At this time, just like Miss Pooja duets, it seemed Lehmber was 'rinsed' in the UK, but here is the difference, every UK producer gave him their own touch. Zues, Swami, PJD, RDB, etc all added unique flavours to Lehmber's voice. And this made for an interesting listen and healthy competition. This is also why my ears can still tolerate Lehmber to this day, while hearing another duet from India makes me cringe. With current duets you cannot tell one song apart from the other, unless if they are really distinct, its like finding a sui in a haystack or you just have to be totally drunk at a wedding to appreciate it.
I do understand and respect that duets have been part of punjabi folk culture, from likes of Didar Sandhu & Amar Noori, Mohammed Saddiq & Ranjit Kaur, Chamkila & Amarjot, but these 'jodis' had a history together, whereas nowadays, if you have the money, you could probably have someone like Miss Pooja feature with you, no kidding. Nowadays, there is no connection between the 2 duet singers, very rarely will you feel the chemistry between the two, and when you do, I guess those are the songs which are considered "hits".
How long will this trend last? I do not really have an answer to this but I do know that the scene is currently over-saturated. I would have prefered duets in moderation, as they say "too much of anything is never a good thing". Hopefully this year we see a decline in some of these duets and the UK scene picks up.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Surma - Mohammed Saddiq and Ranjit Kaur
This is one of my favorite tracks by this infamous folk duo. Along with the fun lyrics, I really love the tumbi played on this track, enjoy....
Friday, August 15, 2008
Boliyan from Mohan Singh Mela
Another clip from Prof Mohan Singh Mela 92.
So grab a peg, click on play and enjoy....
So grab a peg, click on play and enjoy....
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Jazzy B - Rendo! Rendo!
Due to some personal matters, I haven't been able to post much, but I will continue to post regularly whenever I have time from now on.
Also, at the moment there hasn't been much to talk about, well except for Jazzy B's latest offering "Rambo".
I don't know why, there is not much excitement in the air about this release. Although it was highly anticipated, (3 years since Romeo was released), many fans appears to have been let down. It has been 3 years since Romeo, wow! 3 years! Soorma, Yaari still get massive play from me. For Rambo the reviews are mixed. I can't say that I hate the entire album, I just didn't like the title track "Rambo".
Sometimes I can't get the lyrics "Rambo Rambo" out of my head when I wake up to the time I go to sleep. I was not too impressed with the video either, PR (public relation, not planet record) stunt here was that, Rambo is the most expensive bhangra video ever made. Really? How does one know this? Has every artist disclosed their bills? The most expensive video pre-Rambo may have cost $10,000 but Rambo may have cost $10,000.50. So by defenition it could very well be the most expensive video ever made. Just my 2 paise though.
The actual song starts of great, I really like the sarangi on the hiphop loop, then it switches to desi/hiphop with Jazzy's verse. Then switches back and forth between Kanwar (desi rapper) and Jazzy. In my opinion Kanwar never really did add anything to the track, his voice, his persona did not do Jazzy justice. After looking at his face on the video, the hard lyrics Kanwar kicks do not sound believable. Jazzy needed someone like Bohemia, Kamla Panjabi or Deep on that track, perhaps a remix?
Kanwar's "Rendho Rendho" has become a running joke amongst many Panjabis here in Toronto. I can only imagine him performing live and some drunk dudes yelling "Rendho Rendho" before he even utters one word.
Jazzy is a great artist, however with this release I think he has taken a few steps back instead of elevating from the track Romeo. For instance, if he had released "Kaun Nachdi" with the "Streetology" remix now, it would have done wonders for this album. Streetology remix blends hiphop and desi very nicely and the video ain't bad either. However, the Rambo video has me rolling my eyes a lot at some scenes.
I still don't know why bhangra hasn't been able to fuse desi-hiphop properly and not make it sound awkward.
Overall, aside from this track, the album will grow on you. Some of the skits are hilarious, it shows Jazzy's humorous side and he pulls it off well. Jawani, Jatt are stellar tracks and his flow on Glassy, and especially 'I Love You' is ridiculous. Keep the CD in your car and trust me after a few trips you'll start repeating a few tracks.
Production is usual Shinda, nothing to write home about. The production sounds the same as it did on previous albums but it doesn't distract from Jazzy's vocals, it does the job. But I think its time Jazzy should let others produce for him. Its only makes for interesting music for the fans and he can afford to experiment unlike other artists.
In conclusion, releasing Rambo as the single was not a very good choice, but who knows in India it might do well, they should have stuck with more clubish/girl-friendly song like "I love you" or danceable like "Glassy".
Also, at the moment there hasn't been much to talk about, well except for Jazzy B's latest offering "Rambo".
I don't know why, there is not much excitement in the air about this release. Although it was highly anticipated, (3 years since Romeo was released), many fans appears to have been let down. It has been 3 years since Romeo, wow! 3 years! Soorma, Yaari still get massive play from me. For Rambo the reviews are mixed. I can't say that I hate the entire album, I just didn't like the title track "Rambo".
Sometimes I can't get the lyrics "Rambo Rambo" out of my head when I wake up to the time I go to sleep. I was not too impressed with the video either, PR (public relation, not planet record) stunt here was that, Rambo is the most expensive bhangra video ever made. Really? How does one know this? Has every artist disclosed their bills? The most expensive video pre-Rambo may have cost $10,000 but Rambo may have cost $10,000.50. So by defenition it could very well be the most expensive video ever made. Just my 2 paise though.
The actual song starts of great, I really like the sarangi on the hiphop loop, then it switches to desi/hiphop with Jazzy's verse. Then switches back and forth between Kanwar (desi rapper) and Jazzy. In my opinion Kanwar never really did add anything to the track, his voice, his persona did not do Jazzy justice. After looking at his face on the video, the hard lyrics Kanwar kicks do not sound believable. Jazzy needed someone like Bohemia, Kamla Panjabi or Deep on that track, perhaps a remix?
Kanwar's "Rendho Rendho" has become a running joke amongst many Panjabis here in Toronto. I can only imagine him performing live and some drunk dudes yelling "Rendho Rendho" before he even utters one word.
Jazzy is a great artist, however with this release I think he has taken a few steps back instead of elevating from the track Romeo. For instance, if he had released "Kaun Nachdi" with the "Streetology" remix now, it would have done wonders for this album. Streetology remix blends hiphop and desi very nicely and the video ain't bad either. However, the Rambo video has me rolling my eyes a lot at some scenes.
I still don't know why bhangra hasn't been able to fuse desi-hiphop properly and not make it sound awkward.
Overall, aside from this track, the album will grow on you. Some of the skits are hilarious, it shows Jazzy's humorous side and he pulls it off well. Jawani, Jatt are stellar tracks and his flow on Glassy, and especially 'I Love You' is ridiculous. Keep the CD in your car and trust me after a few trips you'll start repeating a few tracks.
Production is usual Shinda, nothing to write home about. The production sounds the same as it did on previous albums but it doesn't distract from Jazzy's vocals, it does the job. But I think its time Jazzy should let others produce for him. Its only makes for interesting music for the fans and he can afford to experiment unlike other artists.
In conclusion, releasing Rambo as the single was not a very good choice, but who knows in India it might do well, they should have stuck with more clubish/girl-friendly song like "I love you" or danceable like "Glassy".
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Drew Barrymore in a Bhangra Vid?
This 'model' in this video has an uncanny resemblance to Drew Barrymore, maybe it is her... *cue scary violins*
Nothing more to discuss on this video, just wanted to share my observations, perhaps some of you think the same as well.
Nothing more to discuss on this video, just wanted to share my observations, perhaps some of you think the same as well.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
KS Makhan
One of my favorite artists in Bhangra has been K.S. Makhan. I kind of miss how powerful his voice sounded pre-"First Play" production days. This does not mean I hate Aman Hayer, infact I love his work, but I just miss the 'old' KS Makhan voice. What I want to do is, first show you how his voice sounded when he first came into the industry, to what people are hearing now.
1. This first track, i'm about to share with you, was featured on a bhangra compilation released in the 90s, "Immortal Bhangra" I think. It is one of my favorite tracks from him, everything about this track is sick. Along with Makhan's voice, I also miss production like this :(
"Mundari Da Naag Sat Rang Da"
2. This second track is actually called Hoopeh (part 1) NOT 'Askhe'. Produced by Sukhshinder Shinda. It was featured on Shinda's album "Dhol Beat Dhol", which was released during the late 90s.
3. And listen to the Original "Mitran Di Motor Teh". For the longest time i thought this was sung by Surinder Shinda.
"Mitran Di Motor Te"
Ever since he hooked up with Aman Hayer, bhangra fans have noticed an 'auto-tuned' (t-painesque) effect on his voice. Which, I think takes a lot away from what Makhan has to offer as an artist, but it is a formula that has worked well for him in recent years. It has made him more popular and judging from his videos, profitable as well. And when you get teenage girls requesting your songs at parties you know you have made it.
Don't get me wrong, I do not hate KS Makhan, nor do I hate Aman Hayer, I think Aman is right up there with some of the best bhangra producers of today. And KS Makhan is a legend in the making. Aman has produced some of the biggest hits in Bhangra, such as, Mitran Di Chatrri, Tardhi Hildi, Dil Nai Lagda, etc....just to name a few.
But ever since Aman hooked up with Makhan to do his entire album, First Play, I do find that, Makhan's albums have had a similar feel to them. From lyrical flow, rythm pattern, and production there is not much difference from album to album. I cannot not tell you what Makhan track from which album. And every once in a while, when I ask my friends, "Have you heard the new makhan track?" They reply with something along these lines of "I've heard it before, it sounds something like [insert another Makhan track here]" or they simply snap their fingers trying to remember the song's name.
However, this does not take away from the fact, that he's had 1 or 2 tracks which have become dance-floor anthems with every release since First Play. Kachiyan Kandan, Hoopeh Part 2, Billo, Dildar are just some of these hits etc..
I'm not really hating on Hayer-Makhan team, they work well together like Jazzy and Shinda. My only concern is that his albums lack 'creativity' from album to album. Although, as I mentioned before, I do enjoy his songs immensely, but I do find the songs repeatative nature in every album, discourage me, as a consumer to 'invest' in this product. Its like they are not even trying, whereas Jazzy and Shinda always deliver something 'new' and fresh with each release.
Makhan and Aman are back again with their latest offering "Yaar Mastane". The 1st single from this album "Sir Kadhve" sounds really promising and the video is pretty good. You can start snapping your fingers, try to remember which track it sounds like once you hit play. But it doesn't take away from how bad-ass the song and the video is... enjoy...
1. This first track, i'm about to share with you, was featured on a bhangra compilation released in the 90s, "Immortal Bhangra" I think. It is one of my favorite tracks from him, everything about this track is sick. Along with Makhan's voice, I also miss production like this :(
"Mundari Da Naag Sat Rang Da"
2. This second track is actually called Hoopeh (part 1) NOT 'Askhe'. Produced by Sukhshinder Shinda. It was featured on Shinda's album "Dhol Beat Dhol", which was released during the late 90s.
3. And listen to the Original "Mitran Di Motor Teh". For the longest time i thought this was sung by Surinder Shinda.
"Mitran Di Motor Te"
Ever since he hooked up with Aman Hayer, bhangra fans have noticed an 'auto-tuned' (t-painesque) effect on his voice. Which, I think takes a lot away from what Makhan has to offer as an artist, but it is a formula that has worked well for him in recent years. It has made him more popular and judging from his videos, profitable as well. And when you get teenage girls requesting your songs at parties you know you have made it.
Don't get me wrong, I do not hate KS Makhan, nor do I hate Aman Hayer, I think Aman is right up there with some of the best bhangra producers of today. And KS Makhan is a legend in the making. Aman has produced some of the biggest hits in Bhangra, such as, Mitran Di Chatrri, Tardhi Hildi, Dil Nai Lagda, etc....just to name a few.
But ever since Aman hooked up with Makhan to do his entire album, First Play, I do find that, Makhan's albums have had a similar feel to them. From lyrical flow, rythm pattern, and production there is not much difference from album to album. I cannot not tell you what Makhan track from which album. And every once in a while, when I ask my friends, "Have you heard the new makhan track?" They reply with something along these lines of "I've heard it before, it sounds something like [insert another Makhan track here]" or they simply snap their fingers trying to remember the song's name.
However, this does not take away from the fact, that he's had 1 or 2 tracks which have become dance-floor anthems with every release since First Play. Kachiyan Kandan, Hoopeh Part 2, Billo, Dildar are just some of these hits etc..
I'm not really hating on Hayer-Makhan team, they work well together like Jazzy and Shinda. My only concern is that his albums lack 'creativity' from album to album. Although, as I mentioned before, I do enjoy his songs immensely, but I do find the songs repeatative nature in every album, discourage me, as a consumer to 'invest' in this product. Its like they are not even trying, whereas Jazzy and Shinda always deliver something 'new' and fresh with each release.
Makhan and Aman are back again with their latest offering "Yaar Mastane". The 1st single from this album "Sir Kadhve" sounds really promising and the video is pretty good. You can start snapping your fingers, try to remember which track it sounds like once you hit play. But it doesn't take away from how bad-ass the song and the video is... enjoy...
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