Hard-E Turn On

Song : Hard E feat Sabvita - Turn on
Album : Turn On
Artist : Hard-E
Type : UK Punjabi
Language : Punjabi
Release Date : 05/30/2005

When I first contemplated writing this review, I had hesitations because I wanted to be taken seriously, as a number of Bhangra fans have harsh words to say about the man proclaimed as HARD E. For as many dedicated fans as HARD E has, he has the same number of detractors, who dislike him with a passion.

A quick background on HARD E will clear up some of the reasons of ill will towards his music. For those of you that don’t know, HARD E is the younger cousin of the Crown Prince of Bhangra, Jazzy Bains. HARD E got his break into the Bhangra scene through the help of his cousin, which is a main reason many music lovers don’t like him. You can say some people are simply hatin' or you can say that some people are jealous that he had an easy road to success. Either way, I believe no matter who’s your cousin, your daddy, your manager, if you don’t have talent, you just don’t have talent. PERIOD. Fans say he got lucky to be hooked up with the talents of Jazzy B as a vocalist and a lyric writer as well as Sukshinder Shinda as a music producer. This is partially true, but you can’t blame him for being in the right music family, all you can do embrace his vocals and judge him on a fair scale.

HARD E began touring around the world with Jazzy B as a teenager, providing background vocals and stage presence. For the longest time Jazzy urged him to create his own solo album, which he did after some reluctance. HARD E released the album UNDERWORLD in 1999. Although he simply laid background vocals for featured artists on most of the tracks, he did have two solo tracks on the album, which were well received. With a fan base starting to be built, it took HARD E almost a full five years to release his first complete solo album entitled "Turn On".

Turn On is a 6-Track album with silky beats and innovative bass lines. The credit all goes to the Music Man himself, Sukshinder Shinda. But Hard E did an excellent job of blending his vocals with the beats. His style and voice may be distinct which is what sets him apart from the norm. The title track and the hit from this album is Turn On. The song is written by Jazzy B, which already means an instant hit. Newcomer Sabvita lends her pleasant vocals on the track as well as on the track, C’mon Girl. Both are two of my favorites and the reason being is the combination of the harmonies and composition are one of a kind. The song Sunn is a perfect cruising track with Shinda’s defining dhol and bass.

Overall this isn’t your typical Bhangra album for the traditionalists. This is something to just kick back and listen to. In actuality, dance club-goers are more likely to relate to his album because of the up-tempo sounds. With the combination of Jazzy B as a vocalist and Sukshinder Shinda as your producer, you’re rolling with the big boys of the Bhangra scene, so anything less then perfect would be a failure. Although this album isn’t perfect it’s well put together and worth giving a listen to. I would have to give it a 6.5 out of 10, and hope our listeners give HARD E a fair chance before you judge him, as you might be pleasantly surprised!

By - Neetubone (punjabisongsdotcom)