Ennapane

Song: Ennapane
Album: Vel
Artist: Susheela Raman

This revamped Tamil song speaks about the Hindu god, Muruga - the bearer of the vel. Susheela's interpretation may have some of the more geriatric listeners up in arms, but this is an amazing rendition of an old song. The musicianship is amazing. The experimental sound so clean, so mellow, you just want to immerse yourself in the music.

Featuring violin and drums

Featuring moorsing and flute!

Raajhan

Song: Raajhan
Album: Midival Times
Artist: Midival Punditz

Someone listening to the Midival Punditz for the first time ever, may wonder where this song might go... if you've heard them before and like their stuff, you just know it's gonna be something nifty. Featuring strings, electronica, heavy vocals and, as always, an almost (but not quite) overbearing drum machine, this song is one of my favorites by the Punditz. Very thematic and very dynamic music.

Punjabi 5-0

Song: Punjabi 5-0 (feat. The 1Shanti)
Album: Spiritual Bling
Artist: Dum Dum Project

Drop a sick beat, add some fat bass throw it all into the Asian Underground and you get Punjabi 5-0. Catchy melody... The chorus is something anyone can chant along with as is displayed in the slightly risque music video.

I came across this song a few years ago when a friend worked with The 1Shanti and wanted me to see some of his other work. This song fills your mind when you remember it... mine forgets it after a while and the moment of rediscovery is sweet relief - akin to when you get off with just a warning from the 5-0.

Holding On

Song: Holding On
Album: Me Against Myself
Artist: Jay Sean

The first thing that drags your attention to this song is the melodic line of the bansuri. This song, actually this flute piece, was what intrigued me about in 2005, when Jay hadn't made such a huge name for himself across the pond in America. His fame had then been confined to the UK. I must say I enjoy his experimental fusion more than his more recent albums where he's collaborated with Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Beyonce - to name a few. But this song... the fusion that made Jay much adored among the Desi diaspora - flavors the Asian Underground without the too-polished feel of his later works. Rhythm heavy, melody interwoven through the song... these are the best times in an artist's career, but it's not easy holding on.

Tommy

Song: Tommy
Album: Planet Electric
Artist: Delhi 2 Dublin

Vancouver based electronic fusion band Delhi 2 Dublin is noisy and makes me want to clutch my head at their inspired mix of sounds. Visually the band is as diverse as the sounds they offer:

“Delhi 2 Dublin is non-stop world beat energy. Where else can you see a purple haired fiddle player rocking out with a kilt-wearing Korean flanked by two bouncing bhangra percussionists and a vocalist who looks like he would be at home in a Bollywood music video"

“The Vancouver-based collective combines dhol, fiddle and breakbeats in an Irish/Asian stew that is surprisingly varied, a marvellously wide-ranging and free-thinking concept.“ BBC

Shwetaambara

Song: Shwetaambara
Album: Yodhakaa
Artist: Yodhakaa

Written by Adi Shankaracharya, one could consider this rendition of Shwetaabara as a cover, except there is no official version of the song.

Yodhakaa renders this song in it's unique way with the industry norm of vocals, bass, guitar and then adds, the slide guitar and a particular percussive mix to make this experimental, quasi-chill track quite enjoyable

Kwaab

Song: Kwaab
Album: Along the Dusty Road
Artist: Niraj Chag

I first heard Kwaab while perusing a book at a Barnes and Noble store. The song followed A.R. Rahman's Bombay Theme Song (changed to Mumbai Theme Song when the city decided to revert to pre-colonial nomenclature). I almost digress wanting to gush over the aforementioned Mumbai Theme Song.


Kwaab had a tough track to follow. But the female voice eased away all thoughts. The guitar briefly gamboled around the piano and then a simple beat that made you want to tap your feet and bob your head. Abetted by simple bass guitar punctuating rhythmically and synthetic waves, Niraj Chag's Kwaab is something to move the soul... along the dusty road.