Disregarding the dubious release of âSteel Bangleâ, Panjabi MC is back with a proper new album since âDesiâ (2001). Aptly titled âIndian Timingâ the brand new 20 track album features up to 79 minutes of music on one cd! That must be a first for any Bhangra album surely?
Bhangra has changed since the 90âs; the time when Panjabi MC was at his peak. 2008 heralds a new beginning for the Coventry man, but will Indian Timing be able to live up to the previous hits albums?
A tumbi solo kicks off âCant Stop Usâ which has been sung by Jelly Manjeetpuri or Manjeet Jelhi depending on what you want to call him. He features heavily throughout this album. PMC was recently on radio and described his own style as âDre with Dholâ, Cant Stop Us feels something like that. The thing that strikes me most about this is the simplicity in the production, not in a bad way though, PMC has let the vocalist and the dhol do all the work. A pretty good start to the album, the simplicity of the production can be seen as a let down by some but in my opinion it works perfectly. The dhol solo midway through the track really gears you up for the chorus.
Any one old enough to remember the A-Team will enjoy this track. Talk about bringing back memories! PMC has actually gained the official licence for this sample on âPanjabi Soldiers (A-Team)â which has once again been sung by Jelly Manjeetpuri. One thing I like most about this song (apart from the excellent sampling) is the choice of lyrics; they actually go with the theme of the song. Panjabi Soldiers or Soormeh as the song mentions does give a very âPanjabi A teamâ feel. The percussion on this track by a whole host of artists is phenomenal and fits perfect with the raw guitar riffs overlapping the vocals by Jelly. When I first heard PMC was sampling the A-Team I thought it would be a cheesy track, but it actually works really wellâ¦.Maybe a A-team themed video?
I first heard âSnake Charmerâ around a year and half ago, I didnât really like it. Albeit it was an early demo of the track, I just wasnât feeling it. Now weâre treated to full finished version sung by Jelly again. PMC called this track âhis babyâ and you can see why. Itâs going to tear up dancefloors across the world. The bheen has been used perfectly and the addition of extra kicks, snares and beats working alongside the tumbi and dhol really in perfect cohesion. Oh and a special mention to the bassline⦠Do I like this track now? Hell yeah!
âIm Nin Alu (Shake It)â follows and totally changes the album direction with this Arabic themed track. Panjabi MC became fascinated with mixing east with west when he heard this songs sample on an old Rakim track all the way back in the 80âs. Having now gained official clearance he puts his own touch on it. Never really been too fond of Arabic tracks, but I have to say it is well made, maybe just not my cup of tea.
Manjeet Jelhi returns again on âStop What Your Doing (Chan Varga)â which features the rapping of Stimuli. Remember Tigerstyle sampled Micheal Jackons Billy Jean, PMC has got the same vibe going on here, but the baseline of the traditional sample is cut short, quite smartly I think. The faint guitar flicks are an addictive addition and Iâm feeling the rapping by stimuli, the vocals from Jelly come in 1 minute in and really suit the song. Another impressive and catchy song
Iâm sure everyone was a little âwhat the fc&k?â when they saw the words âI am a Disco Dancerâ on a Panjabi MC album. Once again it really feels Panjabi MC has gone a long way in legitimizing Bhangra, he has been able to gain sample clearance with the original vocals from Bollywood veteran Bappi Lahiri. You know what? I really like this song, I know Iâm not supposed to like cheesy Bollywood songs but Panjabi MC has added a funky 90âs dance beat over the original that works so well. I feel Iâve lost some self respect in enjoying this song, but if anyone could pull it offâ¦
Do it again yeah do it againâ¦..you all know whatâs coming right? âKee Lagh Daâ is being touted by many as the next Panjabi MC âanthemâ, one thing is for sure the catchy hook line, the impulsive tumbi and the thumping baseline will get dance floors packed. Panjabi MC has a knack of leaving a simple dhol beat alongside the vocals, he did in âcant stop usâ and it works so well on this track. Iâm sure once you heard this song youâll be singing; ohhh teraa ki lagda?!
Everything is slowed down on âIndian Timing (Jeona Mour)â which sees Panjabi MC sample of Jeona Mour sung by Gulshan Komal. It also sees Panjabi MCâs first serious attempt at MC-ing in this album and anyone who has followed PMC throughout his career would know he is probably one of the best âBhangraâ rappers. This is one of the most controversial songs of the year, everyone wants to know just who or what is Panjabi MC talking about? He begins in 2000 and talks about the journey to present day. Itâs quite obvious he is mentioning a number of people who have betrayed him along the way; be it artists/friends (Kray Twinz?) and record labels who have tried to screw him over. â2005, the industry tries, but we still donât dieâ referring to his ongoing dispute with Moviebox records during 2005. To be honest this song can be analysed in so many ways, itâs a great record and the way Panjabi MC has used the sample alongside the additional production makes this one grimey song.
Manjeet Jelhi returns on âPanjabanâ and for me this is one of the weaker Bhangra tracks on the album, it just doesnât grab my attention like the rest. Although the lyrics are witty it and does have a message for you girls out there. Decent enough track.
Iâm not really sure about how to describe this next track. PMC and Surinder Shinda has always been a deadly combo, from the original Junglist Mirza, to Part 2, throwing in some Sassi. I mean to this day Mirza part 2 remains one of the few tracks that can make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. So itâs safe to say that my expectations were high for âMakhnaâ. It kicks off with a live Panjabi MC set at Hansraj College (New Delhi), this could possibly be one of the best intros that lead into a song. Makhnaâ¦ai hoi? Talk about getting you in the mood. The song itself drops into one of the dirtiest baselines Iâve heard on a Bhangra track with the vocals of Surinder Shinda overlapping a simple but ever so effective beat. They say you canât really re-work a classic and beat it, I know this may sound controversial, but PMC has taken Alaapâs âMakhnaâ and has made this Surinder Shinda version a classic in its own right. Just make sure you have worthwhile subs whilst listening to thisâ¦and turn the volume up!
Panjabi MC was one of the first to really use reggae effectively in Bhangra and his back on that tip with âJaggaâ sung by the talented Sabar Koti. PMC has also sampled this with âNuff Man Themâ straight outta Kingston, Jamaica. This is one RAW tune. The b-line is just toxic, and as for the sample? It works perfectly. This really reminds me of the old PMC pre-legalized, with the difference being he has secured all rights for any sample used. Just sit back and enjoy this one, not much else you can do.
Following on from the chilled out theme I feel as though Iâve been taken back in time to âGrass Rootsâ, were PMC brought out a song called âSweeterâ. âHolidayâ in my humble opinion is one of the best songs on the album. Itâs just pure chill out. The tumbi solo over the tabla and simple keys. Take me on a jet-set holidayâ¦
âBhet Ke Roh Leh Deâ continues the theme of songs being a little more laid back, it seems as though the first half of the album was reserved for the full blown Bhangra tracks and the second part being those you just zone out to (in a legal way of course). This track is an interesting concept; PMC mentioned in an interview that the Punjabi vocalist (Gulshan Meer) was actually the tea man at a Punjab studio who had persuaded PMC that he could sing. The rapper (Sharpp) was someone who handed PMC a demo outside a studio in New York. I guess the beauty of this track is, we are never going to hear from any of these guys again, which is a shame because the Punjabi vocals are sick! Sometimes itâs the small details that make a song.
âBoliyanâ is next and can be seen as the follow up to the now infamous Kori. Itâs not really a patch on Kori or for that not an effective Boliyan. The lyrics for me arenât original enough, and weâve heard them before. The beat and general flow of the song is a little off. Maybe itâs just me but this song is surprisingly one of the weaker efforts.
PMC dusts off his mic for âSo Can Weâ which features a sample of the Kuldip Manak classic âGT Roadâ. I guess this song wonât appeal to most Punjabi purists, some people might consider this to be slaughtering a classic. I can see were theyâre coming from, but the beat laid down by PMC is gritty and for me the song works well.
Panjabi MC deals with another legendary vocalist this time with the late Amar Singh Chamkilla who was gunned down in the late 80âs. âKaadha Soormaâ features a very old (as you would expect) vocal over a grimy guitar. Not really hitting the right notes for me though.
âChipsâ is next and is an all out rap single featuring Panjabi MC and soul vocalist V12. I know what your thinking..oh no rap song! But this song has really grown on me, to the point Iâm skipping the whole album just for this single. The beat is smooth; you just have to vibe to this. The rapping and lyrics by PMC is very interesting, he talks about his experience from the beginning to when he found fame through Mundian tu Bach ke. âwho do you think chased those skinheads from foleshillâ, sees PMC refer to the forgotten race riots that occurred in his hometown of Coventry in the 80âs. Itâs hard to explain what is so good to about this song, but It makes a change hearing some honest rapping coming from a asian rapper, rather than the bullshit wannabe act weâre all subjected to.
âPyarâ is next and is track number eighteen. Itâs another Bollywood track but doesnât really get me going like disco dancer (cant believe Iâve said that). A decent number, but itâs not the first time PMC has done Bollywood, with his âchori choriâ featuring Labh Janjua becoming popular a few years back.
âNight Timeâ is the penultimate track and somewhat follows on from Holiday, with female vocalist Emelza on the vocals again. Itâs a decent track but Holiday any day for me.
The final song is âAaja Sohniya (Part One)â which has been sung by Kamaljeet Kaur, who also sung the boliyan prior. First thing that hits me is the keys, itâs a throwback to Mirza Part 2, not a identikit copy though. It also is a very good way to finish this album offâ¦following on from much of the second part of this album, its just a song you sit back to. The flute by dev raj jassal really adds a special touch, in a way it also reminds me of Ghalla Gurian. Top tune.
A mammoth 20 tracks, I guess those who doubted Panjabi MC (you know who you are) should really be taking back their words. This is one hell of an âalbumâ. Iâm sure some songs were cut down in order to fit into the 80minute limit, it just shows how much material Panjabi MC had lined up for this album.
Much of the album is a throwback to the pre-legalized era; were Punjabi MC enjoyed so much success with Grass Roots, 100% proof and souled out. A lot of the production can be classed as simple, but none of the songs seem out of the place, everything fits like a big jigsaw puzzle.
The numerous hit singles; Canât Stop Us, Panjabi Soldiers, Snake Charmer, Ke Laghda, Makhna, Chan Varga, Jagga. And those are only the full blown Punjabi tracks. I have a number of personal favourites such as Chips, Holiday that go to show that if anyone is able to push together east and west itâs Panjabi MC.
The album cover states that the album was âproduced on tourâ and you can tell. Itâs made to wreak havoc on the dancefloors, not only in the UK but across the world. Panjabi MC is a global brand, but itâs quite heartening that in a way he did not sell short Bhangra by bringing out a commercialized album to fit with the mainstream, he brought out an album and made music that he has been doing for years, and thatâs why this album is so good. Even the rapping by Panjabi MC is great, Indian Timing (Jeona Mour), So Can We & Chips all feature strong lyrical content.
Indian Timing is a great great great album and for those who are still wondering whether to buy it, or maybe you have already downloaded it. Go out and support Panjabi MC, because it will be along time before you get to see another Bhangra album filled with 20 tracks that each tell their own unique story.
I donât think Iâve used the word filler once in this review, I really havenât felt the need to.
Album summed up in three words: PMC Is Back!
Panjabi MC â Indian Timing gets a 8.5/10
SimplyBhangra.com
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