Samrai announces debut solo album, ‘Work & Roti’ on Sangha Industries

Samrai has announced the release of his debut solo album, 'Work & Roti', which is due to arrive via his newly minted label, Sangha Industries, on 30th June.

The latest single to be taken from the work, 'Create Your Own Bless' with Fox can be streamed now below. Another single, 'Dirty Dirty' with Thai-Chi Rosè, will be out tomorrow (9th June). Pre-order/save the double A-Side here.

The Manchester-based artist has drafted a slew of talent for guest appearances and production input across the eight-track collection. Names include fellow-Swing Ting artist Fox, vocalist and member of the Neo-soul and R&B project Lovescene, Pops Roberts, and celebrated Mridanga player and music teacher Deepikaa Sreenivasan. 

SCAPA, Vindya, Shanique Marie, Gavsborg, Joey B, Thai Chi Rosè, and Chesqua also make appearances. Samrai's mother — whose maiden name informed the imprint name — features on the opening song. A phone conversation during which she described first generation Punjabi arrivals into the UK only having time to work and "eat roti", inspired the record title. Musically, percussion takes centre stage, with South Asian rhythmic instruments such as the Tabla, Dholak, Dhol, and Kanjira all involved.  

Recent single, 'Oil Money', a collaboration with vocalist LINTD and sound artist and musician Raheel Khan, is included on the tracklist. A highly politicised tune addressing exploitation of people for profit and ecocide, the full-length outing tackles similarly big issues, including the migrant experience, self care, healing, and humanity's connection to nature. Samrai is already well-known for environmental output, with the climate-justice themed 'Planet People Power', made alongside Farah Ahmad Khan, receiving a fresh remix by British-Tamil producer GoldTooth in April.