He's the man behind some timeless tracks. Jasbir Jassi, who prefers to sing his own compositions, makes his mark in the Cocktail Nights volume of The Great Big Punjabi Wedding, a multi-singer project

Cocktail Nights, states the singer, is a compilation of songs that are now sung in special cocktail parties that are held before the classic Punjabi wedding. "The album is about wedding rituals and is rich in Punjabi folk. Most of the songs are composed by me, as I prefer to render my own compositions. There is a high-energy medley as well as Fusion and R&B songs. These are essentially dance numbers." He is also doing an international album in New York with artistes from there. Another project sees him recreating old hits like Kajaraa mohabbatwala and Ude jab jab zulfein teri. "I have chosen film songs that had a Punjabi folk base," he says.

Considered the king of Bhangra-pop and best known for his album Dil Le Gayi, Jassi has learnt under various gurus and also has a poetic and theatrical background. Beginning with Punjabi films Passport and Zakhmi along with some remixes he released several hit albums over the last 15 years and has performed in over 5000 shows in over 70 countries.

The singer says, "Pyar mere nu lag gayaa nazraa is one of my all-time favourites. Shashi Ranjanji approached me with a clear situation and I wrote, composed and rendered the song. I am not too enamoured by films. It is meant only for those who are completely willing to compromise on quality and aesthetics! But I am willing if the people who want me are good people. I am in discussion with Bobby Bedi and A.R. Rahman and some others. I will do films if the atmosphere is congenial to good music." Jassi admits that the Punjabi element in today's music is not a completely happy state of affairs. "Yeh acchi baat hai ki Punjab ka music har jagah hai. But here again most people are using Punjabi words and phrases only because it is a trend. They do not do any research and develop any knowledge of our language and culture. Words are pronounced or even used wrongly."

He cites the example of a very famous 1990s song for the wrong use of the word Kudi meri. "The context meant is that of a beloved, but when you use the words in that order it actually means `My daughter'!" There are so many more examples!"