Bhangra - One Way Ticket To British Asia

DJ-turned producer Panjabi MC needs little introduction. Known for his phat basslines, tumbi hooks and raw Punjabi vocals, he topped the record charts globally in 2002 with ‘Mundian To Bachke’ and the traditional boliyan here, signified by rhyming couplets expressing emotions, comes from his latest album. Panjabi By Nature ranks amongst the top Brit-Asian producers and he has a dedicated following. A skilled hitmaker, he drains the very best out of top vocalists, and on ‘Jagoo’, charismatic Apna Sangeet frontman K.S. Bhamrah gets the PBN treatment. ‘Gerra De De’ (‘Give It A Whirl’) features the most in-demand singer on the Punjabi music circuit of all time, Miss Pooja. Formerly a music teacher in Rajpura, India, she has been the official biggest-selling female bhangra artist in India since 2007.

The Glaswegian Sikh brothers who make up Tigerstyle recently came to mainstream attention when their music was used by Britain’s Got Talent runners-up Signature. ‘Bol! Bol! Bol!’ featured here is a frenetic take on the traditional Punjabi boliyan style and is from their most recent album. Producer Khiza is one of the gems of the nu-wave of UK Asian artists and ‘Fight This Feeling’ is a dhol-laden dance-floor favourite, featuring the MC and composer Suman collaborating with her father Joginder. Another popular newcomer on the scene, H-Dhami is famed for his boyish good looks and ‘Har Gabroo’ was composed by his father, the bhangra legend Palvinder Dhami, of the group Heera.

Formed in 1989, Achanak have made a significant contribution to Brit-Asian music. They have travelled the globe taking the energetic sound of bhangra from Canada to Malaysia to Europe and their music can be further explored on the bonus CD. Also featured on this album are Niraj Chag, a key modern interpreter of Asian classical and folk styles, as well as Dalvinder Singh, one of the most skilled young vocalists around, alongside a host of other talents.

Introducing some of bhangra’s pioneers and the hottest sounds from the new wave of artists, this second edition of The Rough Guide To Bhangra proves that you don’t need to speak Punjabi or be Asian to enjoy bhangra!