Sunday, February 28, 2010

SAVE THE ASIAN NETWORK

With the British elections in June and the Conservatives in lead pushing a massive attack against the nations deficit, a proposal has been leaked by TIMES that the BBC will make cuts worth 600 Million Pounds, which would include the axing of the Asian Network and 6Music. Politics aside, with the TIMES being owned by Mr. Murdoch who is in direct competition with the BBC and the ever arrogant minds associated with the Conservatives. This is completely against the BBC mandate to cater to all tax payers who make the BBC happen.



South Asian programming on the BBC started in 1968 with Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan

and since then has blossomed into a cultural hub, where the globes South Asian Diaspora can turn to for opinions on issues facing them in the western world and more importantly the evolution of the modern South Asian culture itself. The Asian Network is a 42 year old momentum that faces extinction and if it is lost, alot of history will go with it. Not to mention alot of artists would have to rely on touring and gigs for money but how can they gig when promoters havnt heard of them since the BBC is gone ?


Either way, this can not happen and we at ChaiWallas BOOMBOX stand by the Asian Network and pledge to our readers to join the movement


Sign the petition here

http://www.petition.fm/petitions/6musicasiannet/1000/


Email:

Mark Thompson Director General of BBC

mark.thompson@bbc.co.uk

please offer a professional opinion as to why South Asian Culture matters.


(i):
Represent the different nations, regions and communities to the rest of
the UK.
(ii): Cater for the different nation...s,
regions and communities of the UK.
(iii): Bring people together for
shared experiences.
(iv): Encourage interest in, and conversation
about local communities.
(v): Reflect the different religious and
other beliefs in the UK.(vi): Provide output in minority languages.



Remember the Asian Network could be the perfect bridge between Britain and the next Future Superpower India for Commerce and Education.

THINK ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF THE BIGGER PICTURE !

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Sound Avtar has Lift-Off

Piyush Bhatnagar a.k.a The Sound Avtar, has some serious acceleration behind his career. We are constantly riddled with updates of his activities and of course aren't the only one's covering him. As a Producer and Remixer his work is addictive with bass heavy treatments that range from organic to destructive. We eagerly await his full album but in the meantime check out his recent work, especially his remix of 'Bad Boy Bass' and @ 1:44 its a one hell of a vibrating experience.


STREAM
Gaudi - Bad Boy Bass (Piyush Bhatnagar Remix) by Sound Avtar

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Piyush Bhatnagar & Anjana Ghosal - Raag Puriya Dhanashri (Original Mix) by Sound Avtar

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Midival Punditz - Bhangra Fever (Piyush Bhatnagar Remix) by Sound Avtar

FREE DOWNLOAD (CLICK DOWN-ARROW FAR RIGHT)
Midival Punditz - Electric Universe (Piyush Bhatnagar Remix) by Sound Avtar

Friday, February 26, 2010

Slumdog Memories


I literally walked right into Vikas Swarup's novel Q&A at a bookstore in 2006. It was just the feel good story I was always looking for, a chaiwalla that goes from rags to riches. Its no surprise, that when the film Slumdog Millionaire was released in Fall 2008, theatres here in Winter WonderLand, Canada had line ups stretching outside the picture house for weeks and peaked around this time last year when Slumdog won 8 Academy Awards.

Heres to the Madness that was Slumdog Millionaire


FREE DOWNLOAD







FREE DOWNLOAD







FREE DOWNLOAD






Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Garam Masala Rice Krispie's

Garam Masala Rice Krispie are like nothing you have had before. The flavor is clearly dessert but more complex. So, why not play a game with guests and get them to guess whats in their Rice Krispies!

Buying whole spices and grinding them yourself is recommended. They are so much more powerful.

Garam Masala Rice Krispie Treats

Standard Rice Krispie Treat recipe plus my own spice blend

  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 10 oz. marshmallows
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 small cinnamon sticks
  • 1 whole nutmeg
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
  • 1 small bay leaf

Dry roast all spices in a skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes. When cool, grind in a spice grinder or small processor of some sort. (I grated a little less than half the nutmeg on a microplane instead of putting it whole in the grinder.) This will make more garam masala than you will need for one batch of rice krispie treats, but it keeps well for some time in a sealed container in the pantry. I’m sure you’ll find other uses for it. (You can always go back and add more cumin, coriander and bay leaf to use in more savory dishes.)

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

Sprinkle in about a teaspoon of the garam masala. Add cereal and stir until coated.

Evenly press mixture into nonstick 13 x 9 pan. Dust with more spice if desired. (I like the strong spice flavor, but some might want just a hint. You should sneak a taste at this point and decide for yourself.) Allow to cool, then cut and serve




Now how about another left field concept, called the
The Polish Version of Rage Against Machine Meets the Orient. Folk soaked dance tracks is the underlining sound by band founder Max Cegielski. Their musical philosophy is cultural differences should not be the source of conflict rather a basis for a fascinating musical dialog in the spirit of common joy.

STREAM






MAX - MIN by Masala Sound System

STREAM






Palce i Zapalnik by Masala Sound System


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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Dj Do It Again

On the beat we flow

can't believe the hype

am I really, Really Known

When The Dj play my record on the Radio


On March 8th, Jaya will release her first single " Dj Do It Again", and it might just blow up. She has all the potential to appeal to the masses with her catchy rhythms and larger-than-life image. Jaya is the first British-Asian Female to be signed to a Major Record Label and if you thought Jay Sean was contagious and infiltrating, wait till this one gets started.

STREAM






Dj Do it Again - Jaya (Jags Klimaxx Remix)


LIVE PERFORMANCE

Monday, February 22, 2010

SuperSoul Connection

It doesn't matter what time of the day it is, the headlines will always read

CRISIS, TERROR, SCANDAL, ASSASSINATION ....though the media always misses the most important part of these unfortunate circumstances, the courage to overcome and the flowering of a new human consciousness . This new wave of higher thinking might be rare but the people who possess this state are purpose driven and believe the future of humanity lies not in territories and boundaries but in unity.


On the musical fore-front of this 'flowering' is the SuperSoul Connection out of Slovenia, made up of two members RMD (producer, composer and musician) and Dhyan (MC and composer). It is a band with substance, whose aim is to spread a multicultural message of understanding; love, tolerance and peace, presented from a spiritual point of view. Their style is a mixture dub, hip-hop, breakbeat, eastern ethno, electronica and even rock. When all these styles are brought together by the Supersoul their message is powerful. Its know wonder they were on Oprah's Website.




STREAM






AVATAR - Supersoul Connection


Video Posted on Oprah's Site


Chaiwalla's Favourite ;)


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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Om Shiva Om

“Enlightment” is the word that comes to mind when I think of Deva Premal and her track "Hari Om Shiva Om". Premal, a German born vocalist known for her new age Hindu mantras was remixed by Cheb i Sabbah in 2005 on a compilation titled "Journey to the inner east vol 2". Sabbah and Premal together deliver a spiritual feeling that transcends time and this classic takes me on a pilgrimage every time I hear it.


STREAM






OM SHIVA OM by Deva Premal ( Cheb i Sabbah Desi Remix)

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

BoomBox birthday cake that plays Desi Hip-Hop

Check this, a chocolate buttercream filled pound cake with fondant and gumpast details.

If its your birthday, and you love desi hip hop, we have some tunes to give away.

FREE DOWNLOAD







FREE DOWNLOAD







FREE DOWNLOAD








LINKS

Friday, February 19, 2010

Dubai's Bhangra Movement

Born in Ludhiana, g-ta is an upcoming Producer from Dubai. Highly influenced by the artists like Panjabi MC, Tigerstyle, Specialist - Tru Skool, Sukshinder Shinda & Bally Sagoo he started making beats at the age of 16. Kuldeep Manak, Chamkila, Surinder Shinda, Gurdas Maan & Mohd. Saddiq were the singers he grew up listening to. Making beats was the all time fav hobby. Starting with simple beats to complex ones, g-ta Remixes have caught our attention.

FREE DOWNLOAD (CLICK ON DOWN-ARROW FAR RIGHT) Desi DnB Megamix by g-ta

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Bhangra that makes you dance in the rain

Okay, so heres the scoop. These guys are called G-TOWN DESI and hail from Glasglow, Scotland. They cover everything from Breaks to Drum N Bass in their sound and man are they ever sick. Innovation in the bhangra industry is tough but once in awhile a group will get you dancing on a rainy day.

G-Town Desi are set to release the debut album '1134' next month on VIP records

STREAM Lok Tha by G-Town Desi ( unreleased)

STREAM







Peerh by G-Town Desi



YOUTUBE TEASER

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Whats makes you run ?

The snow is finally starting to melt and running season is back. If your wondering what these men have on their ipods while pushing that extra mile, its the SoundPipe Mix Session. Full of energy and tastefully put together this mix is recommended for those difficult uphill runs.

FREE DOWNLOAD








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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chase and Status

Just the image and music explains itself.

FREE DOWNLOAD








LINKS

Monday, February 15, 2010

Disco Warrior

Mr. Ghulam Muhammad is a Pakistani/Kashmiri wrestler and the only wrestler in history who is undefeated. He has been billed as the greatest Pehlwani wrestler in history and this isn't some folk tale. He’s destroyed European wrestlers within minutes including the great Stanislaus Zbyszko, who is the most influential European grappler of all-time. Muhammad thew Zbyszko down in 42 seconds. Lets not forget he is also the inspiration behind the character in Street Fighter EX ‘Darun Mister’.


Mr. Ghulam Muhammed is the inspiration behind todays ‘Disco Warrior’ track and no relation except warrior being in the title of the track


The Kalyan Disco Warrior EP was released in 2007 with four versions of this infectious dance floor smasher, it's worthy to be in every DJ's collection.



STREAM






Kalyan-Disco Warrior (House Mix)



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Kalyan Disco Warrior EP

Sunday, February 14, 2010

My Lover Dances Before Me

So today its about "My Lover Dances Before Me" but before I continue, I need you to experience how this song came about, the process, and the collaboration because this is very different.

CHECK THE VIDEO TO SEE AND HEAR WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT


Isn't that just amazing, come on now "Punk Bhangra" that is such a cool concept and this youtube teaser is just the surface of whats to come once the full album is released, imagine everything from edgy punk bhangra to stylish love ballads. This is very special :)

FREE DOWNLOAD










LINKS

Bandish Projekt aims to blow you away !

Mayur of Bandish Projekt is one busy man, fresh off his first EP release Correkt, he is back in the studio and just reworked Badi Dheera off the movie ISHQIYA. The vocals in the track are absolutely wonderful and his electronic distortion is the perfect imbalance of culture

FREE DOWNLOAD (CLICK THE DOWN ARROW ON THE FAR RIGHT)
BADI DHEERE - BANDISH PROJEKT MIX by bandishprojekt

PURCHASE

Links

Saturday, February 13, 2010

to all those Lonely Hearts

Its that dreaded weekend when all the social-able's are off to over-rated dinners and prey to the mighty Hallmark and Carlton cards. We @ Chaiwallas Boombox are taking a different approach, we are giving away a tune. A funky mashed up love tune, to make you sing and dance the weekend away.

FREE DOWNLOAD









LINKS
Big ups to BBC's Radio 1's Nihal for creating this mash-up
and of course D-Boy for making the great original

Friday, February 12, 2010

NEW YORK, NEW YORK


New York Fashion Week for Fall’10 is officially a go and Alexander McQueen will be dearly missed this year on the runway but isnt Fall like 7 months away ?


Yes, which is why we are posting an inspiring photo for this Spring, we call it "The Nonchalant Sartorialist", he is a man who takes pride in the comfort linen offers and prefers paisley pocket squares and scarfs, rather then the restricting neck tie and belt. Its the new fifth avenue.


So what does New York Fashion Week and a photo of some dude on 5th AVE. have anything todo with it being Friday and you needing a music fix ?


Well how about some Frank Sinatra Bhangra by Jags Klimaxxx.



FREE DOWNLOAD










LINKS

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The story of Nusrat's biggest fan

The first time I heard the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was in Harlem, 1990. My roommate and I stood there, blasting it in his room. We were all awash in the thick undulating tide of dark punjabi tabla rhythyms, spiked with synchronized handclaps booming from above and below in hard, perfect time.

I heard the clarion call of harmoniums dancing the antique melody around like giant, singing wooden spiders. Then all of a sudden, the rising of one, then ten voices hovering over the tonic like a flock of geese ascending into formation across the sky.

Then came the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Part Buddha, part demon, part mad angel...his voice is velvet fire, simply incomparable. Nusrat's blending of classical improvisations to the art of Qawwali, combined with his out and out daredevil style and his sensitivity, outs him in a category all his own, above all others in his field.

His every enunciation went straight into me. I knew not one word of Urdu, and somehow it still hooked me into the story that he weaved with his wordless voice. I remember my senses fully froze in order to feel melody after melody crash upon each other in waves of improvisation; with each line being repeated by the men in the chorus, restated again by the main soloists, and then Nusrat setting the whole bloody thing alflame with his rapid-fire scatting, turning classical Indian Solfeggio (Sa, Re, Gha, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) into a chaotic/manic birdsong. The phrase burst into a climax somewhere, with Nusrat's upper register painting a melody that made my heart long to fly. The piece went on for fifteen minutes. I ate my heart out. My roommate just looked at me knowingly, muttering, "Nusrat...Fa-teh...A-li...Khaaan," like he had just scored the wine of the century. I felt a rush of adrenaline in my chest, like I was on the edge of a cliff, wondering when I would jump and how well the ocean would catch me: two questions that would never be answered until I experienced the first leap.

That is the sensation and the character of Qawwali music, the music of the Sufis, as best I can describe it.

-Jeff Buckley, New York, 1997


THE SONG THAT CHANGED JEFF'S LIFE IN HARLEM, 1990





After hearing his first Qawwali in 1990, Jeff executes his first cover of "Yeh Jo Halke Halke" in 1993, just 3 years after discovering this art and having no formal training, let alone unable to speak Urdu. We @ Chaiwallas Boombox shed tears and had goosebumps for weeks after hearing this.

FREE DOWNLOAD









Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The future is here

Can music be forensic evidence to understanding the advancement of the global South Asian Diaspora ? if so, then the Engine-Earz have just ushered us into a new realm of innovation.


My first listen to Kaliyunga by the Engine Earz, felt like I was transported to the year 1310 when the sitar first arrived, the plucking of its strings awakens my soul but the meditative state is quickly broken and thrown into a black hole within the space of 1 min, spitting me out into the year 2020. Its an epic start to a cinematic journey that is accompanied by live guitars, drums and Prashant Mistry in central command, taking you where no man has gone before.


The Engine Earz Experiment is brilliant and we anxiously wait for a full album. They have set the bar very high :)



LIVE PERFORMANCE



STREAM
Kaliyuga - Engine-EarZ Experiment - In shops now! by Engine-EarZ and DJ Luxy



LINKS

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Can't help it that I AM ADDICTING!

SXSW 2009

From Harlem, New York this is Charles Hamilton and this is what hes thinks about sampling music.

" When I sample, I'm not just doing it to sound good. I'm trying to tell a story. To convey an emotion. If I sampled it, there is a reason I sampled it. I believe that music is based on moments, and that there are some moments that people may have missed back in the day. They may have even missed it a year ago. When I sample, I'm giving the artist their respect, while simultaneously creating something new."

Hamilton is just the rough and arrogant MC you have been looking for and his track "Air Again" is addicting. The bhangra samples is what caught our ears and they tell a story of an MC who would care less and is very sure of his opinions. What better way to musically say "I am the shit" then with some punjabi folk.

FREE DOWNLOAD









LINKS

*credits go out to ZORDAN for bringing CH to our attention*