Swami

Track Listing: Mehbooba - VP from UP Hai Meh Marjahn Ruffneck Big Beat Thumbi Umbi featuring Surjit Rai Disciples Homage Chez Toi Ou Chez Moi Paseena Hai Meh Marjahn - NSD Remix

Released 8/2000 on Nation Records. All tracks written and produced by Simon J Duggal, Diamond J Duggal, Tarsame S Jarnail and Kam Bura, except track 5 written by Kulwant Bhamra (Apna Sangeet). 'Desi Nu Skool Beatz' was originally released on Simon & Diamond Duggals own Sub Dub label, although when the label folded Nation Records came to the rescue and re-released the album. 'Desi Nu Skool Beatz' is best described as a highly energetic fusion of politic-free Punjabi/Pakistani folk and breakbeat style dance - I add the "politic-free" phrase since so much of the music related with the Asian underground comes with extra baggage these days, and hence its so refreshing to hear an album/music from this genre that is free from these political rants (important though, as they are). This album was recommended to me by Monkey Pilot (Whirl-Y-Gig) and I'd equally recommend this to anybody who appreciates global dance music. Without a doubt this is the best long player on Nation for a long time. Essential.

Track Listing: Valayt Khanu Ar Giya Pao Bhangra Jawani Heera Jatan Nu Larey Dil Lagee - Swami Remix Nit Kher Mangdi Koka - Swami Remix Hat Jo Hat Jo Sharaab Sajana De Naal

Released 10/02 on Nation Records. All tracks remixed and produced by Swami for Simon & Diamond Productions / Sub Dub Ltd. Written by D. Duggal and S. Duggal. The full title of this second outing from Swami reads Bhangradotcom - Essential Bhangra Remixes 4 UR Mind, Soul & Feet. What is instantly obvious upon playing this CD is that this certainly isn't 'Desi Nu Skool Beatz Volume 2'; by this I mean that this album is less dance orientated and much more 'back to grass roots' with the emphasis essentially upon the Punjabi lyrics and hence the Punjabi singers that Swami have remixed. As I don't speak Punjabi I can't access the depths of this album and am left feeling like a foreign tourist who is only able to marvel at the beauty of the surrounding area without being able to understand any of the street signs. While this music is beautifully produced and sounds wonderful, those who speak the native tongue will get far more from Bhangradotcom than those, like myself, who don't.

Other Info:

For further information on Swami see the Simon and Diamond web site or the Nation Records web site.