Mr. Scruff remixes the profound Bhangra beats of 'Ishkaan De Mamle'

Naya Beat, a beacon in preserving South Asian musical heritage, is set to release its latest gem of an EP, ‘Bhangra House Xtc’, on April 19.

This vibrant release pays homage to the late Manjeet Kondal, a luminary in the Bhangra scene, and his groundbreaking 1986 album 'Holle Holle'.

Delving into a forgotten era where Bhangra intertwined with house, dub, and hip-hop influences, this EP showcases the fusion that defined late 80s and early 90s Bhangra.

The evolution of Bhangra in the UK is deeply intertwined with the country's colonial history and the migration of Punjabi and other diasporic communities. Initially thriving in weddings and parties within Punjabi circles, Bhangra swiftly adapted to embrace influences from Western pop, Caribbean dub, and eventually electronic dance music like acid house and jungle.

The late 80s and early 90s marked a significant turning point for Bhangra, with albums like 'Holle Holle' bridging the gap between traditional Bhangra and electronic experimentation. This era also witnessed the rise of acid house, leading to a wave of Eastern-influenced tracks and laying the foundation for the Asian Underground movement.

At the heart of Naya Beat’s new EP are the remixes of Kondal's 'Ishkaan De Mamle' by Manchester’s own Mr. Scruff. Known for his eclectic taste and deep-digging prowess, Mr. Scruff transforms the original into a mesmerising almost-ten-minute acid house odyssey. With infectious basslines and trippy textures, his remix breathes new life into Kondal's proto-house anthem.

His reinterpretation extends to instrumental and vocal variations, each offering a fresh perspective on the timeless classic.

“I first heard the original version it in the early 1990’s, and hearing it on the Naya Beat compilation reminded me how good it was. I emailed Naya Beat to compliment them on the compilation, and they asked me if I would like to do a remix. When I received the multitrack and listened to the bass and drums in isolation, it sounded very much like a late 1980s Chicago House tune, so I used that as a starting point,” enlightens Mr. Scruff.

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Alongside the remixes, Naya Beat masterminds Turbotito and Ragz contribute an original homage to Kondal with 'Pyaar', a track that weaves together Kondal's vocal stems from 'Holle Holle' into a blissful dub tribute that transports listeners with exotic instrumentals and dubbed-out low ends.

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With South Asian DJs increasingly making waves in mainstream and underground scenes, ‘Bhangra House Xtc’ arrives as a timely tribute to the pioneers who paved the way.

It not only celebrates the legacy of Manjeet Kondal and his contemporaries but also propels their pioneering spirit into the modern dance music landscape, ensuring that their influence endures for generations to come.

‘Bhangra House Xtc’ releases on April 19 via Naya Beat Records; pre-order here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.