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I have nothing to say...this is just pure fire. Enjoy!
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Category: Interviews

No South Asian Fusion website would be complete without mentioning the great that launched it all. DJ Rekha is the pioneer who started Basement Bhangra and Mutiny. She is currently the most respected name in South Asian sounds. She was worked with a wide diaspora of musicians; from Wyclef to Priyanka Chopra - all the while doing informational panels, dj gigs and interviews all over the world. She's also been doing a podcast, since 2011, on BTR Today. Their description of her is spot on - so I have shared it here wholesale!

Bhangra and Beyond is a weekly music show hosted by DJ Rekha, a cultural instigator, recognized worldwide for being one of the first DJs to merge classic Bhangra sounds into the language of contemporary electronic dance music. The first 40 minutes of the show is comprised of Bhangra tracks, both fast and slow, classic and new. The style of Bhangra -- which is a form of Punjabi folk music and dance coming from the region divided by India and Pakistan known as Punjab -- is contemporary and produced for a global dance floor. Rekha shares her deep knowledge and personal connections of many of the artists featured in this segment. After a break, the remaining 20 minutes provides the listener with a deep dive into the analogue and digital creations of a DJ who has spun numerous genres in venues across the globe. Featuring South Asian-leaning bass, this set sometimes finds itself showcasing everything from A Tribe Called Red (mistaken Indian identity intended) to Diasporic Rapper over folk music to dubstep renditions of Sub-Continental Tropical Bass.

She recently did an extensive interview for Butter Chicken Podcast that pretty much covers her music career from the beginning to now. I would highly recommend everyone listen to that. 

Here we speak on a few "follow up" questions about her history and what's in store for the future - hope you enjoy.

User Rating: 5 / 5

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Category: Random Tidbits

While we wait for Karsh's new album to hit the stores - here's a quiet release to wet your appetites.

 

Bombay Cafe

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Category: Reviews

Tracks:

  1. Electric Universe
  2. Tonic
  3. Atomizer
  4. Four Sticks
  5. Naina Laagey
  6. Drifting
  7. Desolate
  8. Sun Mere Sanam
  9. Har Ek Baat
  10. The Lucky One
  11. Electric Universe (acoustic)

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Review:

MIDIval Punditz are the chameleons of the south asian fusion scene: ever changing their musical appearance and doing it to communicate with the world rather than hide in it. (don't believe that chameleons do that? check the wiki!).

This is the one time where I quote the media package provided with the CD because it rings so true. They have released a "soundtrack for the Age of the Shuffle...[i.e. allowing the] listeners to jump from one style of music to another" without ever leaving their album. With not one mis-step in sight they have crafted an album that spans the world while giving a solid "f*ck off with your categories" to the pigeon holers who decide where an album "should belong."

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Category: Reviews

Tracks:

  1. Superpower
  2. Burning Fence
  3. No Fun
  4. Speed of Light
  5. Ease Up Caesar
  6. S.O.C.A.
  7. Target Practice
  8. Living Under the Radar
  9. Altered Statesmen
  10. Bride of Punkara
  11. Stop the Bleeding
  12. Awake\Asleep

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Review:

Historically, Culture Move was the best song that I had ever heard from ADF. That meant two things when ADF's new album Punkara was released, (1) my expectations were very high; and (2) I was hoping to hear the ADF sound of Rafi's Revenge and Tank. Unfortunately, I was disappointed on both points.

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Category: Random Tidbits

I wonder what,

digitally produced clichéd music

is? Considering MIDI, which practically every musician out there uses, has the word Digital right in it's name. Whatever it is...Talvin Singh disdain's it.

Eh whatever; rather than delve into what a hypocritically oxymoronic statement that is...I am just going to mention that Talvin's new album is going to be called Sweet Box (refer to link above).

YAY! the man is working on an album....I wonder if he used a digital keyboard while producing it.

 

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Category: Interviews
 
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This was a short and sweet email questionnaire that Niraj Chag answered for the AV readers to enjoy.

AV: Tell me about your history with Outcaste?
NC: I signed to Outcaste records when I first moved to London (from Southampton), around 1997. I had been experimenting with fusing sounds for quite a few years and was delighted to learn that there was a whole 'Asian fusion' scene in London. I worked with Outcaste records till 2001 and then we parted company. It was a mutual decision as I wanted to move more into composition work for TV, theatre and dance and Outcaste records were also changing their musical direction.

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