Post by rocco on Nov 28, 2010 4:46:59 GMT
After the worldwide success of “Beware of the Boys” Panjabi MC creates the ultimate crossover anthem with “The Raj”.
There was a time not to long ago when it came to desi music the only game in town was Bollywood with its over the top melodies and romantic serenades. Well that all changed in the late 80s with British Bhangra storming the dance clubs from London to Ludhiana with an infectious dance beat that combined traditional Panjabi Boliyans with hip hop, trance and R&B. The UK has produced a galaxy of Bhangra stars including Malkit Singh, Sukshinder Shinda, Jazzy B and Rajinder Singh Rai better known as Panjabi MC.
Born in Coventry, England, Rai adopted his stage after fans started calling him "the Indian emcee." There's no such language as "Indian," he told them. His lyrics are Panjabi and he raps in a thick West Midland accent. Panjabi MC gained worldwide fame with the ubercool Jay Z collaboration, “Beware of the Boys” (Mundiah To Bach Ke) which became an international sensation and firmly establish Panjabi MC as a serious commodity with worldwide appeal. So when he announces an 18-track album, “The Raj”, bhangraheads like myself sit-up, take notice and salivate!
The first thing one notices is the album cover, which features a British crown with the world’s largest diamond as its centerpiece. The 108.93-carat diamond is none other than the Kohinoor, which the British stole from Maharaja Ranjit Singh and subsequently mutilated into three pieces. Panjabi MC’s symbolism is not lost on us.
The Album opens with “Morni” a cool track with a solid baseline and vocals courtesy of Ashok Gill. My one gripe with this track is Panjabi MC’s reliance on electric tumbi versus the actual instrument. The difference is noticeable and I clearly prefer the real deal.
The next track is “Big Party Day” a wedding song, which has been getting lots of airplay and rightfully so. It’s a simple yet well-produced track and doing the vocal honors is none other than the “James Brown of Bhangra”, Kuldip Manak who has influenced an entire generation of singers with his high-pitched yodels.
Two other standout tracks are “Mundian Di Kher” which is the follow-up to the monster track “Snake Charmer” off Indian Timing. Unfortunately it lacks the energy and danceabilty of its predecessor. The second track is “Salute” which is tribute to fallen heroes and their families.
“Punjabi in Here” is a voiceless track that is sure to get girls belly dancing at hookah bars all around NYC with its heavy dose of algozey, strings and gentle tumbi.
Yet the track that puts the album over the top is the title track “The Raj” which is an instant classic. Rapping about 4000 years of Panjabi history in five minutes is not an easy task but our MC is up to the task. The lyrics are meaningful, passionate and sung with determination. The song stays with you long after it finishes and I found myself getting a history lesson on how we tend to repeat mistakes over and over again and how our Panjabi spirits restores and reinvigorates us to look toward the future with limitless wonderment. Now that’s something one doesn’t expect from a bhangra album but then “The Raj” is not another album rather it’s Panjabi MC at his finest.
There was a time not to long ago when it came to desi music the only game in town was Bollywood with its over the top melodies and romantic serenades. Well that all changed in the late 80s with British Bhangra storming the dance clubs from London to Ludhiana with an infectious dance beat that combined traditional Panjabi Boliyans with hip hop, trance and R&B. The UK has produced a galaxy of Bhangra stars including Malkit Singh, Sukshinder Shinda, Jazzy B and Rajinder Singh Rai better known as Panjabi MC.
Born in Coventry, England, Rai adopted his stage after fans started calling him "the Indian emcee." There's no such language as "Indian," he told them. His lyrics are Panjabi and he raps in a thick West Midland accent. Panjabi MC gained worldwide fame with the ubercool Jay Z collaboration, “Beware of the Boys” (Mundiah To Bach Ke) which became an international sensation and firmly establish Panjabi MC as a serious commodity with worldwide appeal. So when he announces an 18-track album, “The Raj”, bhangraheads like myself sit-up, take notice and salivate!
The first thing one notices is the album cover, which features a British crown with the world’s largest diamond as its centerpiece. The 108.93-carat diamond is none other than the Kohinoor, which the British stole from Maharaja Ranjit Singh and subsequently mutilated into three pieces. Panjabi MC’s symbolism is not lost on us.
The Album opens with “Morni” a cool track with a solid baseline and vocals courtesy of Ashok Gill. My one gripe with this track is Panjabi MC’s reliance on electric tumbi versus the actual instrument. The difference is noticeable and I clearly prefer the real deal.
The next track is “Big Party Day” a wedding song, which has been getting lots of airplay and rightfully so. It’s a simple yet well-produced track and doing the vocal honors is none other than the “James Brown of Bhangra”, Kuldip Manak who has influenced an entire generation of singers with his high-pitched yodels.
Two other standout tracks are “Mundian Di Kher” which is the follow-up to the monster track “Snake Charmer” off Indian Timing. Unfortunately it lacks the energy and danceabilty of its predecessor. The second track is “Salute” which is tribute to fallen heroes and their families.
“Punjabi in Here” is a voiceless track that is sure to get girls belly dancing at hookah bars all around NYC with its heavy dose of algozey, strings and gentle tumbi.
Yet the track that puts the album over the top is the title track “The Raj” which is an instant classic. Rapping about 4000 years of Panjabi history in five minutes is not an easy task but our MC is up to the task. The lyrics are meaningful, passionate and sung with determination. The song stays with you long after it finishes and I found myself getting a history lesson on how we tend to repeat mistakes over and over again and how our Panjabi spirits restores and reinvigorates us to look toward the future with limitless wonderment. Now that’s something one doesn’t expect from a bhangra album but then “The Raj” is not another album rather it’s Panjabi MC at his finest.