Awaaz Series 1: Original Soundtrack Recordings From the Archives of CBS Gramophone & Tapes India 1982-1986

Since their first release LA based Naya Beat has been uncovering lesser known electronic and dance music from the South Asian music scene of the ‘80s and ‘90s. So far they’ve eschewed the big Bollywood sound the region is most known for, instead digging into more leftfield productions by lesser known artists (like the New Wave gem Tere Liye by UK based group Pinky Ann Rihal). But on Awaaz Series 1: Original Soundtrack Recordings From The Archives Of CBS Gramophone & Tapes India 1982​-​1986 they dive right into the world of Indian soundtracks, and feature some of the most important film composers like RD Burman, Ilaiyaraaja, Bappi Lahiri and Kalyanji-Anandji. All of the tracks here come from the archives of the short lived CBS Gramophone Records & Tapes, which opened in 1982 and released some of the most innovative film scores to be made at the time. Just like in the rest of the world, disco was quickly taking over, so you’ll hear lots of four-to-the-floor rhythms across the compilation, but as usual Naya Beat do a great job at unearthing some more unusual sounds, from the guitar and synth driven “Dekho Idhar Jano Jigar” by R. D. Burman, or the early house of “Dil Gadbad Jhala” and Kalyanji-Anandji’s “Aage Bhi Dushman” by Raamlaxman. One of the highlights here is the work of legendary composer Bappi Lahiri, especially the pounding “Mere Jaisi Mehbooba,” a remake of Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit,” and the more subdued “Rural Flesh Market,” which shows a completely different side of his production skills with its mix of electronic production and traditional instrumentation.