Akhtar, Najma (1962 - )
Singer Najma Akhtar is known for her unique style of fusing ghazals with pop vocals and subtle jazz arrangements. Her latest album, Vivid, however, is darker and more experimental than her previous ones. Described as "urban gothic", Vivid experiments with electronic dance beats, drum and bass and sampling as well as Arabic, Indian and classical rhythms. View collection >>
Bhamra, Kuljit (1959 - )
>@@ Kuljit Bhamra has been labelled as the most inspiring and influential musician, composer and producer on the British Asian music scene. Working with Asian and non Asian musicians in the UK and globally through his company Keda Records, Bhamra carries responsibility for spearheading the contemporary Bhangra movement and has composed over 2000 songs to date. He works both independently as a solo percussionist as well as collaboratively for film soundtracks, including Bhaji On The Beach, Bend It Like Beckham, The Guru, Four Feathers and Wings Of A Dove. Most recently he has received numerous accolades for breathtaking performances as an on-stage percussionist in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Bombay Dreams.
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Nation Records Limited (1988 - )
The Nation Records label was established in the late 1980s as a reaction to the lack of support from major record labels for world fusion music. It has produced bands such as Fun-Da-Mental, Asian Dub Foundation and Hustlers HC. Nation Records endeavours to enable artists from diverse musical traditions to express their intercultural musical influences alongside promoting political and social awareness. View collection >>
Outcaste Records (1994 - )
>@@ Outcaste Records was founded in 1995 by Shabs Jobanputra and Paul Franklyn on the strength of the club night of the same name. The aim was to promote and endorse British-Asian underground music. Outcaste Records now carries artists such as Nitin Sawhney, Badmarsh & Shri and Oi Va Voi, who have proved the success of such a project. Through the achievements of club nights, artist albums and diverse Brazilian, Asian, jazz and Latin music compilations, Outcaste Records have built a reputation for sourcing raw, contemporary talent for the British Asian music scene and presenting "the new sound of Asian breakbeat culture".
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Sabri, Sarvar (1959 - )
>@@ Renowned tabla player Sarvar Sabri settled in Britain in 1989 and initially was in great demand as a classical dance accompanist. He is currently known as a pioneer of Indo-Jazz fusion music. Among his far reaching activities, Sarvar Sabri teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire, composes for theatre and dancers and tours with his own group, The Sabri Ensemble. Sarvar Sabri has recorded several albums in solo and collaborative capacities.
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Sampad (1990 - )
Founded in 1990, Sampad is a development agency for South Asian Arts based in Birmingham. It promotes the appreciation and practice of the diverse art forms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the West Midlands and works with youth and community audiences and participates in educational and professional artistic development. View collection >>
Shrivastav, Baluji (1950 - )
Multi-musician Baluji Shrivastav was born in Usmanpur in 1950. Blinded since childhood, he is known throughout the world for his musical versatility and spectacular sitar recitals. He also plays the tabla, sarod, harmonium, and accordion as well as many other versions of these instruments. View collection >>
