We started our weekend catching up in Natasha’s condo and on Saturday, we made our way to Soloman’s before dinner.  A guitar magically appeared - courtesy of Munira.   What soon followed was an impromptu performance of Wildflower World.  Hope you enjoy.

p.s.  The update on the third album…we’re having production meeting #2 on Sunday, November 2.  Me, Michael and Jesse.  I still need to decide what this album will be about…Journaling abounds.

What would album #3 be about?  I’ve taken to carrying around my journal with me everywhere again.  Perhaps the answers will begin to emerge in the quiet moments I share with pen and paper observing the world.

In the meantime, I’m enjoying friends and family, creating remixes with Soul Blender, meeting new people and taking the next steps for building Azadi’s catalogue and exposing it to more and more people.  Many thanks to Dave’s Lounge for featuring my track “In You” alongside Thievery Corporation on podcast #127.  It was a high moment in my career thus far.

Last Sunday, I had a chance to chill with my friend and fellow Producer - Raoul Juneja - aka Deejay Ra.  A bit of coffee, a bit of conversation and most of all, good laughs about music and life.  Can’t get much better than that.  Ra…good times, good times.

p.s.  USC fans…Harpal went there.  I have two words for you…GO BEARS!!!

Revolution
Shaheen Sheik

Shaheen Sheik’s sophomore album sees the artist reaching untold heights. She has her roots in India and that influences her very urban sound here and there.

“Coconut” sees Sheik playfully emulate a radio-friendly sound and pen a conscious lyric about racial prejudice. The spoken word bits used really add to the songs message of being proud of who you are. “Dainty Lady” has a clear Indian feel and is geared at the dance floor as Sheik sings angelically. “In You” is sensuous and sweet, Sheik’s siren-voice lost ion soft beats, the frantic part only heightens the songs appeal.

“Here we go” features a lead vocal that reminds me of Neneh Cherry and an antiwar message that’s easy to agree with. The melody’s supple and lovely and the music pours forth like a river. Shaheen Sheik’s new album is a strong statement and a good record all in one.

Copyright © 2008 Anna Maria Stjärnell

On another note…my apologies.  I got lazy in London and barely blogged.  Actually, I was too busy skulking the depths of the Tube to meet up with my friends.  (Yes, folks…this is the escalator taking me down to the bottom of London.)  There’s no wireless down there.  Beware.

All in all, London was amazingly fun!  Filled with icons and performances.  Friends and loved ones.  A little pictorial essay for you…

 A London double-decker parked on a plaza in the middle of the night. 
Schehzad from Club Asia and I found her lonely near Brick Lane.

 Where I performed in Balham at the Bedford.  It’s as charming inside as out!

My friend, Jus1Jam, from the Sisterhood project. 
Poor thing took a 5 hour train ride from Bradford to come see me play…Now that is sisterhood!!!

 Harpal flew in that morning from LA.  He was dog-tired, but rallied for me.  Awwwww.
Then the next day, I took him to see Susheela Rahman and meet up with Ashanti and Pirashanna…tamils in full force!

Ashanti, Pirashanna, Me, Harpal - 3 Tamils and a Punjabi.
We made sure to have a lovely Keralite meal while at Inn at the Green.
I had a veg thaali and the rest dug into the non-veg one!
I know…I look like I’m high…don’t ask…and I wasn’t!

That Friday, we left for Birmingham for a family wedding. 
The bride’s uncle drove to the ceremony in a rickshaw.
Not sure if that is a Punjabi thing, but it was damn funny!!!

After, we met up with Swami and his wife at the famous Mailbox. 
Old post office distribution center they turned into a mall.
It appealed to Harpal’s real estate eye!

Speaking of the eye…check out the London Eye.
Harpal and I celebrated our one-year anniversary on July 28th.
The next day, we walked 15 miles through Central London
before heading to a play and Lebanese food at Noura.

We barely got sun that day…so sad for two Cali folks.

On my last day in London, it rained of course, but that did not stop me.
Neither did the nasty cold I had.
I met up with Helen at LSE and then…

Meet my new friends, sisters Reema and Diya.  Reema writes for Rolling Stones India and Diya is an avid music lover/party-girl beauty.  They are really too cute for words.
This was our self-portrait.

We drank blossoming tea.  The tea leaves turn into flowers in the hot water!!

So there you have it - in brief.  That night, I happily packed my suitcase and guitar.  I missed LA and Harpal and was thrilled to be going home the next day.  My flight left London at 11am on Wednesday.  Harpal picked me up that night from LAX and we went straight to Wahoos for nachos.  Is there a better way to get back to being a Los Angelino?

Swami and I go back a few years and he melted my heart yesterday when said, “consider me and my family your family here in London.”   I spent Sunday afternoon with his wife and two children at Hampstead Heath, a sprawling Victorian park in inner London.  Four years ago, I met Swami and after taking a listen to Rock Candy, he told me that next time I should just do the album by myself.  As we sipped tea like proper British people, he asked me if I really self-produced REVOLUTION.  My response:  “You told me to!“ 

He stared back and said, “You really listen to us when we tell you something.”  I trust Swami and his musical ear/advice.  If he says something, I’ll listen.  His wife backed me up.  “I definitely remember you telling her to do the next album by herself.”  He was a bit in shock and also happy in a way a big brother can be.  I listened and I think he was proud that I as an Indian woman tackled the hairy world of production.  Not too many of us floating around.  Still, the constructive feedback followed.  Again, I listened.  I hope to make him proud again on the next album.

The day before, I spent the afternoon with Nitin Sawhney in his studio.  We listened to tracks from his upcoming album.  I shared songs from my album.  His positive and constructive feedback followed.  I am humbled that these guys care enough to spend the time to offer me advice.

After music talk, Nitin and I grabbed a drink at a local pub and talked politics.  I love it when musicians get together and talk about the world.  There is no shortage of rebellion and skeptism charging through the air.  Noam Chomsky and “common sense” are often used in a sentence together. 

The weekend was sweet and enlightening, but most of all, inspiring.  Travel has a way of refueling the soul.  Songs are emerging from within.  I can feel it.

When I got back to my computer this morning, had a gift waiting from Yuriyi.  He’s made a chillout mix and included the new Wildflower World Remix by Soul Avenue. 

Enjoy, enjoy!  More news from London in a bit…also, check the Ashanti Omkar post.  My show with her is live on their site!

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After nearly 4 days in London, having battled jetlag and getting a local mobile, I had my first official music jaunt today.  Ashanti Omkar, of Desi Hits! South Side, had me as a guest on her show today (will air on Monday so stay tuned for the update post).

Quite honestly, I was a bit nervous for three reasons.  I knew Ashanti to be a serious music journalist - she is not afraid to ask the tough questions.  Then there was Ghetto Guru, master provoker - I could not be held liable for my defense.  And thirdly, today was my first trip on the tube by myself!  (you’re supposed to say “awwwww” now.  okay, fine.  i’ve been on the subway in NYC.)

With guitar on back, I headed to Eastcote Station.  Despite it being July, it’s gray, rainy and chilly here.   You can see from the picture below, sunshine is not to be found.

Of course, the Piccadilly line had a small fire alert and therefore, trains were delayed.  I texted Ashanti to let her know I was running late and that oddly, the tube kept randomly stopping in the middle of the journey - not at the stops.  Graciously, she waited for me at Acton Town, the nearest station to the Desi Hits! studio. 

When I finally reached and met up with Ashanti, I wondered how anyone could be intimidated by this lovely, sweet woman?!?  That’s us in front of the studio.  We hid the only woman on the wall because the artist and the guys at Desi Hits! thought it would be funny to make her “well endowed.”  To see how well, you will need to go to Acton Town.

All I can say about the day is that I had such a blast!  I can’t wait for you to hear the show.  We laughed for an hour straight.  Listened to great music.  And as far as Ghetto Guru is concerned…  Let’s just say I handled my business.

It’s pretty late here.  After dinner with Ashanti and live concert photographer Akin, I headed back on the Tube to Pinner where I’m staying with my aunt and uncle.  By the way, they are super sweet!  Getting to know this side of my Punjabi family is turning out to be illuminating and enlightening.  London, even with shite weather, captured my heart all over again.

More soon… 

My acoustic performance was also graced by Sandra Chatterjee’s lovely improv dancing. Here’s a rough recording of the piece we improvised to live on Saturday night. I’ve named the piece Mirage…enjoy!

Thank you to Soumya, Sarita, Megha and all the volutneers for making the event so lovely!

When my dear friend and fellow actor, Carey Embry, told me that Amma, commonly known as the ‘Hugging Saint’, was in town and giving Darshan on my birthday, I thought, if this is not a sign from God… Carey is an Amma devotee and his enthusiasm for our day is rivaled by none. Not even me, and I even received lovely birthday blessings from Amma.

You can’t help but to smile when you see her. She exudes pure love and joy, though she is surrounded by so much pain that we all carry around with us like dead weight. Saint she is. With ease and patience, Amma lifts us all up. Truly she and her work are holy.

But I will let Carey tell you more about our “fantastic” day…

My Revolution is much more than music. I want us all to be about love, compassion and joy. If we could all give the way Amma does, this world would be heaven. I am the first to say I have work to do.

So you can see what lovely gifts Amma gave me….we came and took a picture before we cut the apple and fed my moms, me, Carey, Harpal, my dad and saved some for YL dad. It’s prasadam..we ate it as the way to accept Amma’s blessing.

May you all continue to be blessed…

Hello, hello!!! Today is a special day….well, for me it is at least. Two reasons. It’s my birthday and also Dave Warner featured a remix of ‘Wildflower World’ on his podcast this morning! I love this remix. A very talented producer named SoulAvenue put together this little bit of heaven. I hope you visit Dave’s Lounge and enjoy the best in chillout, downtempo and trip hop music.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and I hope you are all having a lovely June 17!