CHARANJIT SINGH synthesizing - ten ragas to a disco beat - 2-LP

The lost electronic masterpiece by Bollywood Session Musician Charanjit Singh.

While Kraftwerk was making catchy songs and the future inventors of acid House where still in primary school, Charanjit Singh explored the realms of abstract electronic dance music.

Early 1982, Singh imported with much effort the latest Roland synthesizers into India.
He had a vision of translating the centuries old indian classical ragas to the synthesizer.
With his Roland TR-808 drum computer he laid a basis of a hypnotic beat, with the TB-303 and the Jupiter sequencer he created acid house-like patterns.
On top of this he played the meandering melodies of ancient ragas.

With its repetitive beats and hypnotic electronic melodies the album sounds light years ahead of its time. Moreover, 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.