V.A. - The Rough Guide to Bhangra (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A 13-track release that starts out with an example of traditional bhangra, dips a toe into the beginnings of its cross-cultural metamorphosis, and then dives headfirst into some examples of bhangra as sound system devotees know it best, with walloping beats, reggae riddims, and rap amongst the elements swirled into the folk elements. This Rough Guide sampler provides a very limited look at the style and its practitioners, unfortunately, and there is a sense that they needed to produce a rather more extensive release to give potential fans a better idea of what bhangra represents, and just how many countries and communities it connects with. That said, this is a record that is both listenable and danceable, and a lot of fun to boot. Also, most will learn something from the liner notes. by Steven McDonald
Tracklist:
1 Alaap–    Bhabiye Bhabiye 5:14
Written-By – Channi Singh
2 Rama & Bally Sagoo– Mera Laung Gawacha 7:26
Arranged By – Bally Sagoo
Traditional
3 Bombay Talkie– Chargiye 5:37
Written-By – Bombay Talkie
4 Sangeeta– Pyar Ka Hai Bairi 4:40
Music By – Kuljit Bhamra
Words By – Preet Nihal
5 Malkit Singh– Boliyan 7:42
Written-By – Malkit Singh
6 Mohinder Kaur Bhamra– Gidda Pao Haan Deo 3:38
Written-By – M. K. Bhamra
7 A.S. Kang– Valeti Boliyan 6:21
Written-By – A.S. Kang
8 Satwinder Bitti & Bally Sagoo– Pendha Gidda 6:22
Music By – Bally Sagoo
Words By – Devender Khanne Wala
9 Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan– Piya Re Piya Re 4:33
Written-By – Hassan Rizwi
Arranged By – Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
10 Baldip Jabble– Jani Mahi Ley Aya 5:21
Written-By – Kuljit Bhamra
11 Safri Boys– Par Linghade 7:32
Written By – Ashiq Jaq
12 Saqi– Saqian Da Dhol 4:19
Written By – Kishore
13 Labh Janjua & Panjabi MC– Mundian To Bach Me 3:55
Written-By – Panjabi MC

V.A. - The Rough Guide to Bhangra Dance (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Even in the wake of the Asian Massive movement, bhangra remains alive, although it's still a predominantly British phenomenon. However, the term bhangra dance is almost redundant, as it was originally a folk dance style that's evolved through Western instruments into something that packs the dancefloors in clubs -- though still marked by the beat of the double-headed dhol drum. But plenty of styles come under the umbrella of bhangra, as this compilation ably shows. There's the R&B of Veronica that wouldn't sound out of place in America, the almost indie rock of Manak-E, the more traditional acoustic sound of Madan Bata Sindhu, or the neo-Bollywood beat of Malkit Singh, who's been a bhangra star for two decades. The Americans are represented by the raga-bhangra of Soni Pabla, while Binder puts a touch of dancehall into "Billo Raneeay." The common factor of the tracks is their danceability, sometimes subtle, sometimes overpowering, as on Daljit Mattu's naggingly infectious "Taweet." Taz offer a poppy bhangra-soul mix with a killer hook, and it all closes with a classic, Panjabi by Nature's "Nain Preeto De," that brings roots and modern sounds together in perfect balance. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Four Of A Kind– Rail Gaddi 5:07
2 Soni Pabla– Dil Tera 3:48
3 Daljit Mattu & Ravi Bal– Captain Bhangre Da    4:54
4 Aman Hayer– Dil Nai Lagda 4:17
5 Partners In Rhyme– Gal Sun 4:42
6 Veronica– Sajna 3:26
7 Malkit Singh– Chal Hun (Get Up Fix) 5:26
8 Binder– Billo Raneeay 4:06
9 Juggy D– Akheer 3:46
10 Manak-E– Paisa 4:49
11 Madan Bata Sindhu– Mehndi/Madhorama Pencha 3:23
12 Indy Sagu With Manak-E– Lakh Hilda 5:08
13 Daljit Mattu– Taweet 4:38
14 Taz– Apna Sangeet 4:14
15 Panjabi By Nature– Nain Preeto De 3:43