Midlands based Shaanti Collective are releasing their compilation album, tipped by DJ magazine as the "most exciting and vital cultural crossover since The Clash discovered reggae", later this month.

Mighty Asian Beats will feature the likes of Panjabi MC, Swami, Foreign Beggars, Gaudi, Deep, Sunit and Raxstar, Nuphlo, Genesis and more.

The album will come on the back of a single release next week, titled Disco Warrior. It is the second compilation album compilation released by the Shaanti duo, Shaarnita and Manga (pictured), on their record label Shaanti Play Records.

She told AIM magazine: "Often, compilations can get a bit repetitive and lack any real depth. I can honestly say that this is not the case with Mighty Asian Beats."

"Each of the tracks occupies its own niche, encompass a great diversity of sounds, with the artist’s stamp firmly imprinted on the final product but it’s the contribution from Panjabi MC, Swami, Gaudi, Mo Magic and The Specialist that really stands out."

She said the two personally picked many of the tracks featured on the album, including from upcoming artists like Khala by Juttla and Nosering by Sharaab.

"Shaanti Play Records has represented some of the best in underground since the first release Urban Underground back in 2002 with Ministry of Sound. Both the single and the album makes for an essential collection if you’re a Shaanti fan, and well worth dabbling in to for an introduction to UK Asian sounds."

She added: "In a nutshell if DJ magazine can say that Mighty Asian Beats 'is the most exciting and vital cultural crossover since The Clash discovered reggae' then who am I to complain."

Shaanti have been playing their own brand of desi beats and urban sounds on the dance station Midlands Galaxy Radio for years.

The collective also host a series of regular club-nights in Birmingham and London.

Disco Warrior release on 10th September. Might Asian Beats is due for release on Shaanti Play Music/Absolute/Universal on 24th September.

www.myspace.com/shaanticollective
www.shaanti.co.uk