Bhangra is having a moment.
Bhangra dancers made their debut on the Coachella stage this year alongside DJ Indo Warehouse, while the genre and movement is gaining a whole new audience on TikTok. Rooted in Punjabi folk music, bhangra is vibrant, energetic and uses driving rhythms to capture your attention.
Brooklyn-based band Red Baraat, led by Indian-American drummer and Indo jazz composer Sunny Jain, have always been hard to pin down. With their seventh release, Bhangra Rangeela, the group dives further into genre-bending territory, blending bhangra, jazz, rock and club beats, with collaborations throughout.
Jain, a pioneering force in the South Asian-American jazz movement, brings his signature rhythmic intensity to a sound rooted in bhangra — from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan — while weaving in other equally enchanting styles.
The title track has the driving force of classic bhangra energy and rhythmic drumming, with Pakistani guest rappers Adil Omar and SMK. Stewart Copeland of The Police is featured on "Gaadi of Truth," and the legendary percussionist adds a different sound and style than the rest of the songs.
"Chaal Baby," also the name of their debut album from 2010, blends the swagger of New Orleans street band grooves with the vibrant pulse of South Asian rhythms. The chants and second line connections continue in "Bhangale," a song that features indie rock guitarist Delicate Steve.
The album concludes with remixes of the songs featuring contributions from Indo Warehouse DJ Kahani and NYC's Basement Bhangra pioneer, DJ Rekha.
Bhangra Rangeela passes all of that energy onto the listener, so turn it on, turn it up and get moving.
Must Listens
- "Bhangra Rangeela (ft. SMK, Bakshi Brothers)"
- "Thums Up"
- "Gaadi of Truth (ft. Stewart Copeland)"
- "Chaal Baby"
- "Bhangale (ft. Delicate Steve)"
- "Chaal Baby Remix (OMGcornelio, Johnaton Wright, Adreal Remix)"
