Turban Groove

I recently got turned on to this band BlackMahal from the San Francisco area, fronted by the legendary dholi Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti.

According to the band’s website, “BlackMahal is steeped in Old California, a Punjabi-American experience that started in the 1890s when the first Punjabi-Americans settled in the Great West and forged a new identity combining elements of Mexican and African-American influence.  BlackMahal also represents the new California feel: hippy hybrid hip-hop and hysterical hi-jinks. ”

The band also features the talented and righteous Sikh rapper Mandeep Sethi.

I’ve never seen them live, but from the sound of the audio and video clips on their website, including a track about saving the flavor of your meal in your mustache (seriously), they are super energetic, light-hearted, and probably throw a good dance party.  I don’t know if they have plans to put out an album, but we’ll keep an eye on them.  And Californiawalas, tell us more if you know more!

In the mean time, here is a live video of  the aforementioned “Save the Flavor”: