The soundtrack to It's a Wonderful Afterlife brings together a rich collection of sounds by popular British Asian and bhangra artists. It includes music from MOBO award winner Panjabi MC with a different take on the classic A-Team theme as well as Bally Sagoo’s clever new desi slant on the Bee Gees anthem 'Stayin’ Alive'. Other highlights include Taz from the group Stereo Nation, 'It’s Love' with soul diva Mica Paris and Black’s 1980s anthemic smash 'Wonderful Life'...

A spirited song based soundtrack to the new Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) British horror comedy. Set in the Asian community and with a distinctive flavour of the classic Ealing comedies, the film tells the story of a matchmaking mother who becomes a serial killer to protect her neglected daughter from suitors.

I'm not usually a fan of compilation albums released as soundtracks for movies, but there's a certain charm with this release that you'll find it hard not to just go with the flow.

The album opens with 'Panjabi Soldiers A Team Theme' by Panjabi MC. This is the perfect introduction to this quirky album. I've heard The A-Team theme on so many compilations now that I can't stand it any longer... however Panjabi MC has totally turned this on its head and revitalised an old classic. Basically... well, er... it's The A-Team theme tune but with a distinct Indian feel to it.

Other highlights include 'Do The Nach' by Chillitown feat 10Shott; Black's classic 'Wonderful Life'; 'Disco Bhangra' by Bally Sagoo feat Niraj Shridhar (this is one to turn up real loud while you're driving with the roof down this summer); 'Staying Alive Desified' by Bally Sagoo feat Stayin Alive UK (an incredible Indian spin on the old Bee Gees classic); and 'It's Love' by Mica Paris.

'It's Love (Piano Version)' and 'Ghosts Of Ealing' by Craig Pruess are about as close to a conventional soundtracks as this album ventures.

This is so interesting that's it's hard not to want to add it to your soundtrack collection.

8

Darren Rea