The debut album released in
1987, launched The Sahotas onto the Bhangra circuit.
The boys were currently studying at
their secondary school, Valley Park. At this time the British Bhangra music scene was
booming. Bands and music producers such as Alaap, Heera, Deepak Khazanchi and Kuljit
Bamrah were leading the way.
The Sahotas felt that there weren't
any young bands on the market. Being influenced by such artists, The Sahotas were very
keen to be a part of this style of music.
There was some support and
encouragement from close friends, but at the same time there were a few negative attitudes
towards them, including close family members. This wasn't going to hold them down they
were determined to prove those people wrong.
During free periods at school you
were sure to find Surjit, Mukhtar and Raj in the music department, Cromer Gardens site,
experimenting with different rhythms and sounds
For the debut album, Surjit and
Mukhtar would sit opposite each other with their keyboards in front of them, working on
melodies and instrumental parts accompanied by Raj on the Tablas. This process continued
through the school summer holidays When they had finally put together eight tracks, it was
time for them to record the songs.
The recording took place at Sinewave
recording studios Birmingham.
The recording had to be completed in
just over a week, due to the budget. They had to finance the album out of there own
pockets and even had to sell a drum kit to pay off the recording bill. The Sahotas found
that they had learned a great deal about the recording process by the time the album was
completed.
The next step was to sign a deal
with a record label, which meant travelling to London two or three times a week to meet up
with record companies They finally decided to go with Multitone Records who were one of
the most successful in releasing Bhangra music.
The Sahotas designed the cover along
with their late friend Mike Timmins.
Giddha Pao was released in October
1987.
A special thank you to John Biddulph
former Head of Music Department at Valley Park School, a quote from the man himself:
"Delight in this unique
blend of exciting Bhangra rhythms with contemporary sounds of The Sahotas, five of our
young Asian musicians.
For their first collection of
songs The Sahotas have surely put together the melodies of the highest quality.
All the songs are written and
arranged by The Sahotas.
As both songwriters and
musicians they seem destined to give great pleasure to listeners of modern Punjabi music
for many years to come".
John Biddulph 1987
