Urban Underground

Reviewed by Ajay Pamneja

Released May 2003 (Shaanti/Deca Dance)

The Asian Music scene is vibrant and varied. If you want proof - listen/hear/see this album produced by Shaanti in association with Deca Dance UK.

A truly collaborative album with over 30 artists featured in 30 tracks over 3 CDs in this album. An album to definitely set new trends and hopefully, raise the profile of Asian Music in the UK to new heights.

With varying influences like reggae, bhangra, classical Indian, popular music - both western and eastern and a selection of artists like Artful Dodger, Panjabi MC, Stero Nation, Swami, ADF, Badmarsh & Shri, Dum Dum Project, AS Kang, Juttla, Sahotas, Transglobal Underground - no wonder this album has a universal appeal.

Shaanti would be the best team to come up with such an album. With an established night of over 4 years and residencies in cities like Birmingham, London and performances at many prestigious events and venues in locations like Italy, Poland, India, US, Belgium amongst others definitely has given them exposure to World music and artists from all parts of the globe which shines through at the Shaanti Club nights and is evident on this album. The music selection appeals to the whole cross-section of the society and definitely the Asian community, and hence will filter through to all levels and influence many more music albums & bands in the future.

There are tracks on this album with elements of the ever popular Bollywood sounds mixed with the British street sounds, some more classical Indian sounds and much experimental music to offer this album an edge over anything else available on the music shop shelves.

Go get this album and dance to a new tune!!

10/10 (Truly unique)