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`Surma` by Jazzy B.I swear if I have to review another Indi-pop album with strong Punjabi/Bhangra influences, I might as well migrate to Jallandhar. It`s an assembly line out there- Daler, Bhupi, Jassi, Sukhbir... And now, Jazzy B.
Jazzy B. is actually Jaswinder (?) Bains and that about sums up his music. It`s supposed to be international Punjabi pop. But it comes out sounding like a confused hybrid of sound.
Jazzy B. who is a staple on foreign stages has now, finally, decided to hit India. `Surma` is his fifth album. The music director is Sukhshinder Shinda. Eight songs with varying uses of Punjabi pop define this album`s essence. The title track is the only vaguely decent song. The `international beats` seem like a forced overlay on the music that is essentially Punjabi. Consequently, the music never quite seems sure about where it is going; earthy Indian or snazzy pop?
Rating: With a name like Jazzy B., one would expect jazzier stuff. Alas, it`s the same old stuff fluffed up in a lot of hot air.