Black Star Liner

Chogue Hosein fronts Black Star Liner as its singer and principal songwriter, placing the group among England’s leading Anglo-Asian acts. The Leeds-based ensemble has shaped an invigorating mix of traditional instruments, synthesizers, and expansive textures ever since its first single, “Smoke the Prophets,” was named NME Single of the Week in 1994. An early EP remix of the Rootsman’s track “Soundclash City Rockers” brought initial notice, after which the band issued several singles on Feargal Sharkey’s EXP label and then signed with WEA in 1997. On that imprint they next delivered the Rock Freak EP before completing the full-length album Bengali Bantam Youth Experience.