FIRE STAR

Tamil electro-funk and synth-pop 1984-1989

by South-Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja

Finally out on CD, coming soon on LP:
FIRE STAR with Tamil Electro Funk en Synth Pop sounds by South-Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja.

Indian film music invariably manages to take you by surprise, time and time again. Hard electro-funk and sweet synth-pop are not genres you would expect from India. Yet, in the late 80s electronic beats and synths were eagerly embraced by the film industry of South India along with kung fu fights, aerobics, sunglasses and jogging outfits. The rich and funky Tamil grooves of early 80s transformed into stripped electronic synthesizer music. Composer Ilaiyaraaja, AKA ‘The Maestro’ used minimal beats and synthetic arrangements to create an addictive and captivating electro synth pop sound. His experimental mind, unfailing pop instinct and advanced harmonics make the songs a feast for the ears that will grow with every listen.

Vikram – Kamal Hassan – 1986
Adi Rani Mangama – Mano -1989
Instrumental Music – 1989
Baby – Anuradha – 1988
Pala Rathiri – Vani Jairam, M. Vasudevan & G. Amaran – 1986
Chittu Kuruvi – S.P. Balasubrahmaniam & S.Janaki – 1985
Disco King – Yesudas & Vani Jairam – 1986
Pattu Engey – Malaysia Vasudevan & S. P. Sailaja – 1987
One Two – Francis Lazarus 1986
Raja Rajadhi Raja – Ilaiyaraaja – 1988
Pavala Malligai – Malaysia Vasudevan & Chithra 1986
Ninnukkori – Chitra -1988
Love Theme On Computer – 1986
I Want To Tell You Something – S.P. Balasubrahmaniam – 1987
Valaiyosai – S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Lata Mangeshkar – 1988
Vaa Veliye – S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Chitra – 1987

Compiled by edo Bouman & Julien Dechery. Liner notes by Ravi Balakrishnan, Audio restauration Colin Young at Seewhyaudio, mastering Darius van Helfteren.

Previous Releases:

SYNTHESIZING – TEN RAGAS TO A DISCO BEAT

by Charanjit Singh (India, 1982)

*Until recently it wasn’t much more than some rumours on the web: a 1982 released LP called TEN RAGAS TO A DISCO BEAT containing Kraftwerk-like acid house music, years before the genre was invented.

So it turns out, the record was no rumour. Only a few hundred copies of the LP were ever pressed, and only a handful seem to have survived. Moreover, the LP outdoes all expectations. Performed on the synths that would later define Acid House, the Roland TB-303 and TR-808, the album sounds light years ahead of its time with its repetitive beats and hypnotic electronic melodies. Its maker, Bollywood session musician Charanjit Singh, set out to translate ancient Indian classical Ragas to the modern synthesizer and in doing so seems to have invented House music along the way. The 10 tracks make a consistent listen from A to Z. Its restrained minimalism and lack of cheesiness makes it incredibly contemporary, sounding animated, fluid and unabashedly alive.

SOUND SAMPLES

Raga Bhairav

Raga Madhuvanti

Raga Bairagi

Raga Malkauns

Raga Megh Malhar

TRACKLISTING:

Side 1:
Raga Bhairav
Raga Lalit
Raga Bhupali

Side 2:
Raga Megh Malhar
Raga Yaman
Raga Kalavati

Side 3:
Raga Madhuvanti
Raga Todi

Side 4:
Raga Malkauns
Raga Bairagi

TOTAL PLAY TIME: 50 min.

Previous Releases:

BC-001: CD & 2-LP*

“THE BOMBAY CONNECTION”

Funk from Bollywood Action Thrillers 1977-1984

Featuring 13 tracks of the best BOLLYWOOD FUNK, recorded between 1977 and 1984. After the example of Hollywood many Indian action films of the 70s and 80s were scored with great funky tunes and frantic chase funk. Bollywood being Bollywood the funk was given a strong Indian twist. The result: super funky, stunningly original funk grooves that will set any dance floor on fire. Featuring among others the steaming sexy funk of BOMBAY 405 miles and ultra rare funk gems from the Hindi safari film HABARI and the violent hippie flick SALAAM MEMSAAB.

TRACK LISTING

1 Kalyanji-Anandji‘s Cabaret Dance Music from ANJANE MEIN (1978)
2 R.D. Burman‘s Main Hoon Lilly from BOND 303 sung by Asha Boshle (1984)
3 Sapan-Jagmohan‘s Giraffe Trapping Music from HABARI (1979)
4 Kalyanji-Anandji‘s Na Na Na Yeh Kya Karne Lage Ho from BOMBAY 405 MILES sung by Hemlata (1980)
5 R.D. Burman Music from SALAAM MEMSAAB (1978)
6 Charanjit Singh‘s instrumental of version of Pyar Chaiye Keh Paisa from CHHAILLA BABU (1979)
7 Sonik-Omi‘s Ye Jawani Hai Mera Jaan from HEERON KA CHOR sung by Mohd. Rafi & Asha Boshle (1981)
8 Kalyanji-Anandji‘s Music Theme from KASHISH (1980)
9 Laxmikant-Pyarelal‘s Yeh Dhuaan from DIL AUR DEEWAAR sung by Asha Boshle (1979)
10 Govind-Naresh‘s Dance Music from GHAMANDEE (1981)
11 Sapan-Jagmohan‘s Sote Sote Adhi Raat from SISKEYAN sung by Salma Agha (1983)
12 R.D. Burman‘s Title Music from THE BURNING TRAIN (1979)
13 Bappi Lahiri‘s Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jane from TOOTE KHILONE sung by Amit Kumar and S.Pandit (1977)

BC-002, CD & 2-LP

“BOMBSHELL BABY OF BOMBAY”

Nightclub Jazz, Surf and rock & roll from Bollywood films 1959-1972

Featuring 12 tracks of bouncing BOLLYWOOD NIGHTCLUB music, recorded between 1959-1972. The Bollywood industry has alwayes loved anything that draws the crowds into the cinema, and allready in the early 50‘s it proved that the SEXY NIGHT CLUB SCENE was a big crowd puller in prudish India. Set in a dark club with a moody jazz or R&R band, a scarcely dressed vamp sipping whiskey and smoking cigarettes – would perform sexy hip shakes that set the whole male audience on fire. Needless to say that these CLUB DANCES contain some of the most exciting cross-over music ever made, mixing sitars and tablas with jazz, beat and rock & roll. On this album 12 tracks of the golden years night club music, including the classic GUMNAAM and LOAFER and many nuggets that we‘ve freshly dug up for you like the beatlesque sitar groover PRIYA and the infuriated bongo killer madness of KALA BAZAR.

TRACK LISTING
1 R.D. Burman – KATI PATANG – Mera Naam Hai Shabnam – Asha Boshle – 1970
2 Shankar-Jaikishan – GUMNAAM – Jan Pahechan Ho – Mohd. Rafi – 1965
3 SAAS BHI KABHI BAHU THI – Ek Bottle Hogal Mein – Kishore Kumar & Asha Boshle – 1971
4 O.P. Nayyar – KISMAT – One Two Three Baby – Asha Boshle & Mahendra Kapoor – 1968
5 Laxmikant-Pyarelal – LOAFER – Kahan Hai Woh Diwana – Asha Boshle – 1972
6 Shankar-Jaikishan – ANARI – 1956, 1957, 1958 – Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey – 1959
7 Chitragupta – HAMARA ADHIKAR – Bum Pam Bum Pam Pa Ra Ra – Kishore Kumar & Asha Boshle – 1971
8 S.D. Burman – KALA BAZAR – Sambhalo Sambhalo Apna Dil – Asha Boshle – 1960
9 O.P. Nayyar – KISMAT – Title Music – 1968
10 Kalyanji-Anandji – PRIYA – Pretty Pretty Priya – Anand Prayag & Chorus – 1968
11 Shankar-Jaikishan – EK PHOOL CHAR KANTE – Bombshell Baby of Bombay – Iqbal Singh – 1960
12 Title Kalyanji-Anandji – BLUFF MASTER – Title Music – 1962

BC-301, Bombay Connection BC 301LP

THE BOMBAY CONNECTION REWORKED & REMIXED

Remixes & Covers by a.o. BUDOS BAND, KRAAK & SMAAK, KYPSKI & BENNY SINGS.

On this LP seven REMIX ARTISTS and one NYC FUNK BAND give their spin on tracks of the BOMBAY CONNECTION compilation series. A fresh take on these 60s & 70s Bollywood cuts, from deep funk to hard driving dance.

Side 1:
THE BUDOS BAND – “Chicago Falcon” cover of ‘Na Na Na Yeh Kya Karne Lage Ho’ by the NYC funk outfit BUDOS BAND, a side project of Thomas Brenneck the guitarist of SHARON JONES & THE DAPKINGS, also the backing band of AMY WINEHOUSE.
DJ KYPSKI – remix of ” We ain‘t going nowhere” by BENNY SINGS.
GIT HYPER – “Da Kya Jane Remix” remix of ‘Kya Jane Yeh Duniya Kya Jan’ from TOOTE KHILONE (vocals Amit Kumar, Sulakshana Pandit)
TRULY PHEASANY – “Ballons over Bombay”

Side 2:
KRAAK & SMAAK – “Where is the Button?” remix of ‘Ye Jawani Hai Meri Jaan’ from HEERON KA CHOR (vocals Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi)
EASY ALOHAS – “Burning Easy” remix of ‘Burning Train Title Music’ GERRY ARLING – “Jan pahechan ho remix” remix of “Jan pahechan ho” from GUMNAAM
THEE J JOHANZ – “Hong Kong Dragon” remix of ‘Cabaret Dance Music’ from ANJANE MEIN