Do ghazals get you going or you will only boogies to bhangra? Whether it's underground, jungle or even Westlife you are into, if it gets your toes tapping, we have got it right here, right now. We give you the low down on best selling music and latest releases both here and in the Indian sub-continent, profiles of all your favourite stars and info on new faces to look out for.

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Shayan Italia

Relased: October 2007

Shayan Italia is the only born and brought up Indian to break the international music market with Deliverance - a truly mainstream English album and without the backing of a Major label, yet uniquely with the funding of one.

Having spoken to the selected few who have had the privilege of listening to Shayan Italia’s debut album ahead of its release this October many interpret his album as mixture of light rock, funk, soft jazz, disco, pop and anything in between. They say the diversity Shayan Italia has achieved on this record is truly inspirational, even to the untrained musical ear.

When asked about the irony that he’s from India, yet writes mainstream English songs, Shayan Italia simply yet proudly says that his music incorporates the three best elements of Indian music into his work – poetic lyrics, simple yet powerful music arrangements and crystal clear vocals, all 3 of which have helped create that unique Shayan Italia sound. It is difficult to compare Shayan to other artists, due to his unique sound and the diversity portrayed within his music and the manner he sings. However if required to make comparisons many strike resemblances of Shayan Italia with the likes of Elton John, Simply Red, George Michael, Bruce Springsteen, James Blunt, David Gray and Enrique Iglesias, among others.

Born and brought up in Hyderabad city, India, the baby-faced musician came to London in 1999 after tragically losing both his parents at a young age. Having unexpectedly acquired his unique song writing ability upon losing his parents, Shayan Italia with the little life savings he had, got on a plane and came to London in an attempt to crack the hardest music market in the world. Upon entering the UK, Shayan sought loans from various banks and educated
himself over 2 years, attaining two well recognised post graduate degrees in the process; a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Music Business Management.

During that time, Shayan became the first person in history to auction a portion of his life's earnings in music on EBay. He raised £9,000 in 7 days. If that wasn't genius enough, he then went on to raise $1m through private investors to fund his debut album, record a big budget music video and assemble a marketing team comprising of the most well known personalities within the music business today. He's even got the biggest Major – Universal - on board to distribute the record nationally through the UK.

Drawing inspiration from real life scenarios, Shayan Italia has effortlessly created a catalogue of over 150 songs since 1998 and his 2nd and 3rd albums have already been written, proving that this music artist is only in it for the long term.
With the inimitable talent he possesses that is set to win him success in the ever-competitive music industry, Shayan Italia’s music reflects the entire spectrum of human nature and emotions, delivering stories of happiness, sorrow, truth, deception, intrigue, empathy and individuality, in every one of his perfectly crafted songs, all of which possess the ability of evoking a shiver up the spine.
The phenomenal response to both Shayan Italia’s musical and entrepreneurial talents has led to extensive amounts of investment by wealthy private individuals into the launch of his debut album, Deliverance.

Deliverance, the album, comprises 11 songs as well as some bonus hidden gems. Each track bears no relation to any other in terms of musical style or arrangement, but shares a common soul which is instantly identifiable by the listener. The combination of innovative songwriting, superior musicianship and strong vocals makes Shayan Italia’s debut album Deliverance one of the most perfectly etched albums of recent times.

Listen to the album and it is evident 2008 is Shayan Italia’s year for the taking…

The Definitive Trilok Gurtu - Twenty Years of Talking Tabla

Relased: 13th August 2007

Trilok Gurtu is a musician’s musician who has long since left behind boundaries that limit lesser players. At various points in his career he may have been described as an Indian musician, Jazz musician and World musician but there is truly no category that can fully claim or contain him.

This compilation of his work was chosen by the man himself - and a brief run through a list of some of the musicians featured here alongside him tells its own story.

We have Don Cherry, Joe Zawinul, Jan Garbarek, Zakir Hussein, Oumou Sangare, Neneh Cherry, the Arke String Quartet, Tuvan throat singers Huun Huur Tu, Angelique Kidjo, Pharaoh Sanders, John McLaughlin and Trilok’s late mother, the light classical star Shobha Gurtu, who sadly passed away in 2004.

The man is obviously obsessed with colours, tones and rhythms while never neglecting melody, and as much as he is a musician respected by other musicians he brings passion, vision and craft that is accessible to anyone.

Goldspot Going Back to Desi Roots…

Relased: 6th August 2007

 

“YEH HUM NAHEEN” (This is not us!)

Released: 16th July 2007

UK Release for Pakistan’s Top Pop Artists Recording of anti-terrorism Song, “YEH HUM NAHEEN” (This is not us!)

Pakistan’s top pop artists gathered together for the very first time to record “Yeh Hum Naheen” which has already become a No 1 smash hit across Pakistan and has become an anthem for the people of the country. The song denounces terrorism throughout the world and sends a message that true Muslims do not support terrorism. The track features the vocal talents of Pakistan’s biggest artists such as Haroon, Ali Haider, Ali Zafar, Strings, Shufqat Amanat Ali and Hadiqa Kiani and will be released on FNIK Music in the UK via iTunes and mainstream outlets on July 16th 2007. The song has been written by Ali Moeen, one of Pakistan’s leading lyricist, while the music has been arranged by Shuja Haider, who is one of Pakistan’s most well known music composers.

The song is the brainchild of Waseem Mahmood, author and media consultant who specializes in the reconstruction of media in post war countries. Waseem Mahmood says: “The idea behind “Yeh Hum Naheen” came about because my children were fed up with the way in which some misguided people were high-jacking Islam and putting forward a message of radicalization and terrorism which was at odds with what the majority of Muslims believe. My children told me that I had to do something to stop this perception and thus the “Yeh Hum Naheen” concept was born!”

“This song is aimed at young people like my own children who have now got to stand up and say this is not us!” He goes on to say “What I see myself as doing is giving a voice to the voiceless”.
Waseem goes on to say that he is heartened by how much support he has received since the start of his project. "So many have told me how important they think the message is", including the legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali who sent a message to the group in appreciation of the song's mission of countering radical messages to the Pakistani youth. Muhammad Ali said that he would pray that 'Yeh Hum Naheen' will be successful in bridging the gap between the West and Islam.

Just Jinx

Released: 16th July 2007

British born Pakistani music producers release their follow up album follwing last years biggest selling Brit Asian album

Dubz and Jogi, better known to many as Jinx are back with the second and brand new album titled “Just Jinx” which features eight brand new tracks. The Manchester duo have written and produced their new album which will be released on July 16th. The new album will deliver a mix of Desi pop songs but more importantly it has a fusion of qwali slow ballads and cool Brit-Asian music, the signature sound of Jinx!

“Just Jinx” the album, features artists such as Billa Sahota, Sheik, Bhangwant and hot new rapper, Intenso plus the Qwali sensation Javed Bashir. A brand new video for the album featuring two tracks tilted “Dil Da Janni” and “Tere aashiq” have been made into a medley and can be see across all main Asian TV channels from July. Dil da Jaani is a modern fusion of qwali with the cool hip sound that only Jinx can deliver along with the amazing vocals of Javed Bashir while the second part of the medley is a modern funky tune (Tere asshiq) which features rapper, intenso and the vocals of Bhagwant.

Since Jinx’s first album release, the duo have signed record deals in Pakistan with Sound Master and with Sony BMG in India while touring throughout the UK for the last half of 2006. This year has seen them perform live at some of the UK’s largest Asian events including London’s Trafalgar Square as part of the Vaisakhi celebrations which had an audience of over 30,000.

Jinx run their own record label, Asian Flavas and release all their own material in the UK including their first album “Culture Shock” which featured the hits Akhiyan Udeek Diyan, (Jinx version of the famous original by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) and the summer smash “Rang”. The biggest achievement from their first album was the hit single “Gal Sun” which became a No1 hit across various UK Asian radio stations which kept many Bollywood movie soundtracks at bay including the Don soundtrack.

I am working on a project and can do with the help of all my superstar/media friends.