BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Inspired by “Calcutta rickshaws, Bombay paanwallahs, Delhi disco dives, Diwali riddims + multicolored bindis”, Func Spec’s 12-song debut offers selections directed toward fans of the continually evolving World Pop genre. Textured with hip-hop grooves, tabla and dhol percussion, guitars, synths and sitars, THE SPICE’s sonic backdrop sets the stage for narrators Sho ‘Nuff, Marko “’Ko” Dutta, and the1shanti to provide a listening experience which travels through the Indian subcontinent as deftly as the MTA subway system does through New York’s five boroughs.

Striving to fill a void in music’s current landscape, the Brooklyn-based trio felt the need to, “speak on behalf of kids who can relate to but don’t live in crack culture,” says ‘Ko. “So, we focused on the happy times and the heartbreaks we go through as people, with a distinctively Indian perspective.”

Each member of Func Spec, having been raised between India and North America, desired to make an optimistic and positively charged album in the face of the negativity perpetuated by popular music today. The resulting work is a colorful tapestry of the Bengali-American experience with nods to Jungian psychology, sci-fi author Frank Herbert’s ideologies, and the existential qualities of today’s new media influenced generation.

THE SPICE, written and produced by the1shanti, is Laskar Music’s third album release featuring the artist since his 2006 solo debut album, India Bambaataa. the1shanti’s current self-titled release is available via 5G/Laskar Music/Rawkus. A member of pioneering group, the Dum Dum Project, the1shanti helped usher in the fusion of hip-hop and traditional Indian music with the landmark releases Export Quality (X Square) and Spiritual Bling (Universal) throughout Europe and Asia. With MTV and BBC accolades in addition to Afrika Bambaataa’s recognition of the young artist’s cultural leadership role, in releasing THE SPICE, the1shanti continues his ongoing mission to provide listeners with high impact sonic experiences. For more information visit www.laskarmusic.com, www.the1shanti.com and www.funcspec.com