Motown meets Bollywood

Imagine a band that brings not only Motown but a good helping of Bollywood music to the table. The result is Botown.

After their sell-out shows at venues across the UK last year, the 11 piece Asian Soul Funk band is back with another exciting mix of live soul and funk, with an Eastern twist.

Botown's super-tight live performances combine the glamour of Bollywood and the charisma of the soul legends in one band, committed to bringing the house down with every performance.

Leading the band is Botowner-in-chief Ajay, a top ten solo artist in India. Born and raised in North London, Ajay is a talented singer-songwriter and musician with true cross-cultural appeal, having worked alongside artists like Jamiroquai, Jamaican reggae artist Gregory Isaacs, Apache Indian and the king of Bollywood himself Shah Rukh Khan.

A man of many talents, Ajay has also scored a number of documentaries and films. He received an enthusiastic response to his music in theatre production Kahani Sapnon Ki last year, and will be the musical director for a new dance-based theatre production Apsaras. The show will combine classical Indian music with elements of dance, soul and jazz.

"Bollywood and Soul are both music of the people," says Ajay. "I've always been passionate about both, so combining the two is a musical dream come true."

Ajay, who is currently working with cult American Funk producer, Shawn Lee and we are looking at launching the first Botown album this summer, adds, "Fans of both music genres will be at home at the gig."

Their upcoming live musical gig will pay homage to legends such as James Brown, Prince, Sly Stone and Kishore Kumar. Fusing Indian percussion with bass, a DJ turntablist, rappers and a troupe of sexy dancers, the full live Bollywood Soul Funk experience is an event not to be missed! So take a musical trip from Memphis to Mumbai, with BOTOWN!

Catch Botown on Sat 6th March at The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham 7.30pm. Adm: £12 (£10), Family Ticket £38, BUY 9 GET 1 FREE; then on Thursday 11th March at Jazz Caf, 5, Parkway, London NW1. Adm: £12 in advance Info: 07944 870 750.

by Lauren Ashi