Jalebee Cartel

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Origin	New Delhi
Genre(s)	Electronica Progressive electronic music IDM
Years active	2000 - present
Label(s)	Helvetica Recordings Pure Substance Records SoulTribe Records MummyDaddy Records Baroque Records Only Records MoonTribal Records
Website	http://www.jalebee.in

Jalebee Cartel is one of the most successful live electronic acts from India. Formed in 2000 Jalebee Cartel boasts of numerous releases with various independent record companies from all over the world.

1 Biography
2 Discography
3 Members
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Jalebee Cartel has challenged the notion that dance music is a Western domain by single-handedly putting India on the international EDM map. Composed of four members, Arjun Vagale (laptop, mixing and scratching), Ashvin Mani Sharma (laptop and synths), Ash Roy (vocals and percussions) and G-force Arjun (bass/synth-lines), Jalebee has been taking India by storm for over three years. From individual DJ sets to collective live gigs, producing to composing, the multi-talented group pretty much does it all. And the quality is evident from the international interest it's amassing.

Ashvin, Arjun and Ash were successful independent DJs prior to forming the Cartel, and they bring varied influences to the mixing table. The live act features Jalebee's own compositions, which are broken up, twisted and served fresh with ethnic sounds thrown in for good measure. But it's a funky, international sound that's unlikely to be recognized as Indian. By generating a live set from electronica, they're breaking certain boundaries particular to Indian audiences. The live element creates an extra edge, one that's constantly changing and evolving. The result is a potent, energetic livewire of influences from progressive to techno to electro, overlaid with live vocal harmonies, percussions, drums and tablas. Jalebee's sound isn't about neat packaging: it's about fusing genres to create a raw, electric style of urban dance music.

If Jalebee's live act and DJ sets account for one half of its success, the other half lies in its globally recognized production skills. The collective's list of achievements includes composing the MTV Style Awards 2005 "Theme Music"; remixing/performing at India Fashion Week 2003-07; writing the background scores for TV shows; sound designing and creating an original soundtrack for the indie film Cherry on Top, which was selected for numerous international film festivals, and the forthcoming documentary-styled film Finding Nuno. Nokia has also licensed "Tough Cookie" for the TV advertisement for its Navigator device.

The past year has been Jalebee's most massive year yet. Touring across India and abroad, the group has performed at the country's hottest clubs and biggest festivals, including the Smirnoff Experience Festival (Mumbai) 2005, Lille 3000 (France) 2006, The Big Chill (Goa) 2007, SunBurn Festival (Goa) 2007, Perrier Chill Out Festival (Dubai) 2008. Jalebee has hit dance charts worldwide and its track "Destiny" was voted Best Sunset Soundtrack on BBC. The group has had original releases and more than 12 remixes on labels like Baroque Records (UK), System Records (US), Existence Records (CA), Head Rush Music (US), Helvetica Recordings (SZ), Observe Records (EU), Pure Substance Records (ML), Moon Tribal Records (RU), Segment Records (UK), SoulTribe Records (EU) and Underground Lessons (GR). Radio shows from Argentina to Europe to Indonesia feature Jalebee tracks on stations like BBC Radio, Proton Radio, Pulse Radio, Virus (CH), DI FM and Dance Radio GR. Its own monthly show, "Deep Fried Jalebee" on Frisky Radio, brings in over 1,000 listeners. And the group has garnered worldwide acclaim through international press, including Rolling Stone (India) and MixMag (UK), representation from Progresstunes, and support from A-list DJs like Tiesto, Nick Warren, Moshic, Kasey Taylor, Hernan Cattaneo, Mashtronic, Eric Enterna, Desyn Masiello, G-Pal, Andrew K, Stel, LeRon & Yves Eaux, Anil Chawla and Eelke Kleijn.

With a long awaited full-length artist album finally in the pipeline, 2008 promises to create an even greater buzz around the name Jalebee Cartel.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

Jalebee Cartel - Massive Pluck // Supernova Records 2008
Jalebee Cartel - Fossil // Balkan Connection Records 2008
Jalebee Cartel - Angels Deserve To Die (BP Zulauf, DJ Harsh) // Segment Records 2008
Jalebee Cartel - Acid Pants (F-Sonik, Fog aka Elastic) // Vise Versa Music 2008
Jalebee Cartel - Entropy (Spex, Andrea Palazzo, Evave, Edou) // Pure Substance Digital 2007
Jalebee Cartel - When We Fall (Logiztik Sounds Remix) // Baroque 2007
Jalebee Cartel - Vector the Crow (Glockenspiel Remix) // MoonTribal 2007
Jalebee Cartel - Beautiful Rising Remixes (Ash & G Force / Karran & Porter ) // Helv Recz 2007
Jalebee Cartel - Beautiful Rising (LeRon, Yves Eaux / Matt Rowan) // Helv Recz 2006
Arjun Vagale - Stomper (Moonbeam / Paolo La Grand Mix) // Moon Tribal Records 2006
Kohra - Seneric Sunrise (VA Dream Masti // Masti Music 2006
Kohra - Air Pedro EP (Jalebee Gliched Pedro Mix) // Soul Tribe Records 2006
Jalebee Cartel - Cherry On Top (Independent Film) 2005
Jalebee Cartel - Rock for Krishna // ISKON 2005
Ashvin Mani Sharma - Aa Yaaraan (Lets Enjoy OST) // Times Music 2004
Vimana - From the Darkness into the Light // Web Release 2000

[edit] Remixes

Ogi Gee Cash - Tokyo (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Balkan Connection Records 2008
Andrew K - Coriolis Effect (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Vise Versa Music 2008
Mark Cyris - More Things (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Observe Records 2008
Keenan and Gerrard - Orca (Jalebee Cartel Mix) // Navigation Records 2007
Dmarinos - Into The Trees (Jalebee Cartel Mix) // Head Rush Music 2007
Logiztik Sounds & Baunder – The Lazy Teacher (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Supernova 2007
LeRon, Yves Eaux & Luke Star - Whatever This May Be (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Existence Records 2007
Leoni and Andrew K feat Marcie - Next To Me (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Underground Lessons 2007
DJ Harsh - Forbidden Love (Jalebee Lust Mix) // Segment Records 2007
Guidry and Supra - Blackbird (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Underground Lessons 2007
DJ Harsh featuring Sanjay - Avenge Me (The Toxic Jalebee Remix) // Mining Vinyl 2007
Karran & Porter - Half Light (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Only Records 2007
Princess Moon - Human Behavior (Jalebee Remix) // Moon Tribal 2007
Fitalic - No way Out (Jalebees Breakz Mix) // Pure Substance Records 2006
Tyre & Tare - Free (Jalebee Mix) // Pure Substance Records 2006
Midival Punditz - Raanjan (Jalebee Bass for Breakfast Mix) // Six Deg 2006
Urban Pind - Raha Dekhe (DJ Mahav's Lonesome Remix)
LOOP - Chalte Chalte (Remix Album) // Music Today 2004
Shaan - Bhool Ja (DJ Arjun Remix) // Virgin Records 2003

[edit] Compilations

VA - Globetronica (Mixed by Pathaan) // Platipus Records 2008
VA - Balearic House Super Club // Laka-Tosh-Music 2008
VA - Sonic Waves // ShivLink Records 2008
VA - Regathering - Mixed by Jalebee Cartel // Promo 2008
VA - Deep Electric India // Soultribe Records 2007
VA - Indianelectronica Volume 001 // 2007
VA - Promo Only Alternative Club May // 2007
Midival Punditz Remixes // Six Degrees Records 2006

[edit] Out Soon

Jalebee Cartel - Tough Cookie // Maktub Music
Jalebee Cartel - Fizz // FBSS Recordings
Jalebee Cartel - Single Tab // System Records
Arjun Vagale - Like Her // Brown Eyed Boyz
Cbass & Mikobene - Never For Ever (Jalebee Cartel Deep Mix) // Groove Industry
Matt Rowan - Self Inflicted (Jalebee Cartel Mix) // Red Seven
Phunktastike - Rock With You (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Brown Eyed Boyz
Spex - Rahat Lokoum (Jalebee Cartel Minimal Mix) // Neuroscience Recordings
Python - Always (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // Carica Records
Aldrin & Akien - A Night at Zouk (Jalebee Cartel Remix) // TBC
C-Jay & Medway - Morning Glory (Jalebee Cartel Mix) // TBC

[edit] Members

[edit] Ashvin Mani Sharma

After graduating from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, Ashvin Mani Sharma started Djing at private parties in Mumbai and from there moved on to a nightclub in Russia. He was the resident DJ for six months at the Tequila Sunrise, the most popular club in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

On returning from Russia he moved to Delhi and started DJ ing at private parties and then started doing Club theme parties with International Trance DJs like Psycho Micro, Dark Soho and many more.

In August 2000 he released a Trance Album with French rock artist J.P. Dangmann under the name of "Vimana" titled "From The Darkness Into The Light". The Album was sold on the Internet and was the first trance album released by an Indian and in India. He continued to make a name for himself as one of the best trance DJs in the country and started producing music for ad spots and jingles. Some of the campaigns like the Motorola and "India Shining" campaign were widely appreciated.

He also has produced music for countless fashion shows for top designers like Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Ritu Kumar and nearly every one else you can think of.

Moving on to the next stage of Film and Television, he has successfully made the transition. Already having done the complete background score of BBC World’s "Haath Se Haath Milaa" and Lakme Fashion House for FBC media he is steadily carving a niche for himself. As far as Bollywood goes he has already taken his first step with a song on the "Let’s Enjoy" soundtrack in collaboration with Rabbi.

[edit] Arjun Vagale

For Arjun Vagale, DJing has never been about just mixing a few choice tunes: it’s about understanding the needs of people and taking them to that special place through sound. Through his unique track selection and skilful mixing ability, he has constantly raised the bar as a DJ. With his phat baselines, piercing arps and use of the groundbreaking Ableton Live software with various controllers, he has set new standards within the electronic music circuit in India.

At the age of 16, he founded DJ FAC 3, a trio that played for many parties in Bangalore while India was evolving to the global house sound. As a result, he earned his first residency at Zebra Crossing in Bangalore. In 1998 he moved to New Delhi and became resident at the legendary club Someplace Else at The Park. The following year, he won the DMC World DJ Championship, Delhi, and was offered residency at Float, the best club in town at that time.

In 2000, he visited Calcutta, where he eventually took up residency at one of the city’s oldest clubs, Anticlock, which had a large and faithful following. He headlined many events there, playing alongside Asian Underground hero State of Bengal. Later that year he joined Golden Park Hotel’s London Pub, which he helped establish and promote. This club asserted itself as a popular venue to promote underground house.

After doing a yearlong program at SAE, Singapore, he returned to Delhi in 2002 and was offered residency at the Fashion Bistro at 1 MG Road and later at Djinns, Hyatt Regency. Following this was a two-year residency at one of the biggest venues in Delhi, Q’ba, which received much acclaim for its ambience and unique music policy.

From playing with legends like Judge Jules and Brandon Block to Blue Amazon and DJ Quicksilver, Arjun is on the forefront of the electronic music movement in India. He is one of the only DJs from India to have been featured on Proton Radio, Pulse Radio, Frisky Radio, Ministry of Sound Radio and BBC Radio. He uses the platform provided by mega events such as the Bacardi Blast/Smirnoff Experience and signature underground nights to push the progressive scene onto a larger audience.

[edit] Ash Roy

Picture a four year old clad in the Superman blue and red with a toy guitar around his neck singing for his folks. Ash decided to dream BIG at that early age! His musical journey began at the age of seven, learning the tabla and singing for the school choir before graduating to the next level – a deck spinner coupled with his weapons of choice, the tablas and the microphone!

Ash has an explosive DJing past that spans over a decade. After he started DJing in Anticlock (Calcutta), he moved to Mumbai where he formed a fusion electronic act – “Deep Pranaya” which earned some rave reviews. With DJing still being his first love, Ash moved back to Calcutta to rev up the records at Anticlock. He quickly moved up the rungs to win the 1999 DMC World DJ Regional Finals. This proved to be the turning point in his career as this led him residency at the gulf’s biggest club, The Diamond Club Dubai, where he played along with some of the world’s biggest names – Boy George, Brandon Block, Greame Park, Enzo (Bedrock) among others.

Ash moved to Delhi in 2004 and collaborated with Arjun and Ashvin to form LOOP. Together they released “Chalte Chalte – Haveli Mix”. He continuously worked with Arjun and Ashvin on different projects and together they conceived the Jalebee Cartel, an offshoot of the existing Jalebee Productions. With the Cartel, Ash sets the stage ablaze with his unique vocal style, tablas and other percussions apart from spinning the decks. His style of music is a variety ranging from funky to progressive house.

He currently works with Red FM 93.5 heading the production department.

[edit] G Arjun

Though he comes from a family of renowned classical and ghazal singers, Arjun grew up on a rich dose of thrash metal, grunge and the local Pune rock scene. Influenced heavily by the likes of Cliff Burton and Geezer Butler, being the bassist of his own rock band was always a dream!

The dream became reality when Arjun was gifted his first bass guitar while pursuing a career in electronic engineering. Within hours of getting the guitar he jammed with a few buddies and together they composed their first of many originals. After graduating he juggled between work and a thrash metal outfit he formed - HASH. They played extensively in western India with a brilliant performance at IIT Bombay being the highlight. The band's first single "Close Your Eyes" became a rage in the Pune rock circles.

To pursue a career in music and audio technology Arjun quit his job and moved to Chennai in 2004. While in Chennai, Arjun conceptualized "The Electric Sunshine Project (ESP)" – a progressive heavy metal concept. During his stint in Chennai, Arjun was a session's bassist and recorded with many artists and composers, including highly acclaimed carnatic classical singers, Swati & Revathi.

In early 2005 Arjun collaborated with Ash Roy to produce a few high quality tracks. That's when the electronic music bug bit him. By late 2005, Arjun became a part of the Jalebee Cartel handling Guitar/Bass/Vocals. He works with RED FM 93.5 (Delhi), managing music and handling audio production, and continues to work on the Electric Sunshine Project.