Raga Bhairav - 1982 - SYNTHESIZING: TEN RAGAS TO A DISCO BEAT - Charanjit Singh

YouTube via bombayconnection. via Derek on Facebook
Update: 10 track video playlist added below.

"www.BOMBAY-CONNECTION.com

CHARANJIT SINGH - Synthesizing: TEN RAGAS TO A DISCO BEAT - india 1982

OUT MARCH 2010 on vinyl & mp3, order here:

http://www.bombay-connection.com/en_G...

Bombay, 1982: Bollywood session musician Charanjit Singh set out to translate ancient Indian classical Ragas to the modern synthesizer and invented house music along the way!

OUT ON CD: april 19th 2010"

"*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."

First TB-303 recording?

Update 4/26/2013:


Uploaded on Apr 3, 2010 mudkipNDS·39 videos

"UPDATE: Changed the album title to the original release, away from the title that Bombay Connection gave to it.

Track listing found here: http://www.discogs.com/Charanjit-Sing...

B2 - 33rpm - Raga Yaman
Charanjit Singh
Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat [1982]

http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=28...

From the Bombay Connection website:

Charanjit Singh's 'Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat' is quite easily one of the maddest records we've ever had in stock. It was originally made in 1982 by a Bollywood soundtrack composer, intending to capitalise on the disco phenomenon with a combination of centuries-old classical Indian Ragas set to a disco backing. To achieve this Charanjit used a prototypical acid set-up of Roland TB303 bass melody sequencer and TR808 drum computer together with a Jupiter-8 keyboard. He basically created a sound which mirrored, and more importantly, pre-dated the first acid house record - Phuture's 'Acid Track' by five years, and even preceded Chip E's 'Jack Trax' in 1985. It's no throw-away novelty record either, instead capturing the hypnotic potential of acid music in the most ornate and scarily prescient fashion, making explicit the similarities of infinitely arpeggiated bass sequences and pure electronic pulses that would soundtrack dancefloors for the next 30 odd years. The more cynical among you will probably be thinking this is Ceephax or Aphex Twin delivering one of the most elaborate in-jokes of their career, but with the gatefold sleeve depicting the original sleeve and some in-depth liner notes from the label and Charanjit, our cynicism is waning in favour of absolute shock and awe. 'Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat' is vintage futurism of the highest calibre, and made all the more amazing by the fact it came from India, a place hardly renowned for its electronic output! This is a remarkable record and comes with our highest recommendation - AN ABSOLUTE FIND.

Recorded in 1982 at HMV Studios In Bombay [sic], India

© Bombay Connection, 1982"

via Waveformanalogueresearch Elektro on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Synth Legends Symposium DVD

via AudioMIDI

"If the Musical Instrument industry had rock stars, there's no doubt that Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, and Dave Smith would be in the Hall of Fame. These men are as beloved by electronic musicians as Les Paul and Leo Fender are to guitar players. The recent death of industry legend Bob Moog brings into even greater focus the impact these men have had on music in the last three decades. And as interest in these "retro" instruments grows it seemed like a great time to bring together these "Synth Legends"; to speak about their accomplishments, tell some stories, and talk about what they have planned for the future.

Russ Jones, owner of audioMIDI.com, brought together his longtime friends, former competitors, and former partners to create a memorable night. The panel was moderated by Roger Linn, a synth legend in his own right and he set the warm, lighthearted tone for the evening. Each presenter spent about 15 to 20 minutes giving a brief history of their respective careers and how they initially got involved in creating the products that changed the MI business and what they are doing presently as well as their views of the future. Then the Q&A panel was formed and Marcus Ryle, former design engineer at Oberheim and co-founder of Line 6, joined in.

See the video and hear from these "Synth Legends" as they offer insights into music making past, present, and future. Also see the warmth and humor that was Bob Moog in his last public appearance."

Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith and Roger Linn going left to right, top down.

Update via Brent Hoover in the comments:

There was some mixup and Kevin finally got a hold of us and we are straightening it out. Russ never got an email from Kevin (which I am probably to blame for since I'm the IT guy too). The cover was done by Axel Hartmann (of the Hartmann Neuron and art design of most Waldorf synths) who I don't believe would knowingly use copywritten material without taking care of it, he hates having his stuff stolen too. So apologies to Kevin and I am sure it will get worked out to his satisfaction.

As to why its American-centric is because the event was really made up of people that Russ knew personally. He worked at Oberheim in the beginning and thus came into contact with Roger, David, Tom, Bob, and Marcus. Marcus, David, Roger and Bob (until he passed away) we still dealt with all the time cuz we still sold their products. So it was not so much American-centric as Russ-centric. And not being a rich company I don't know if we could have afforded to fly and house someone from Japan (everyone else came on their own nickel). But we are all very much aware the contributions the Japanese have made to electronic music.

The point being that this was a labor of love and we are so in the hole on this we will probably never make a profit, but that was never the point. It was to contribute in our own way since we don't make synths and utilize Russ' unique relationship with all these guys.

So I sincerely hope people enjoy the DVD though we wish the sound was better (its a long story) but its a unique opportunity to really see and hear the people behind the famous gear. I know its easy to be cynical about a retailers motivations (and I certainly would) but if you spend all your times at big retailers, you might be suprised about how many others of us are in it for the love of music, because it's certainly not making me or Russ rich men (although I do have a very nice studio).

Brent Hoover - Webmaster - audioMIDI.com

These views expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone elses including Russ, audioMIDI.com, or Fox Television.

ps. I heart Matrixsynth and read it almost every day. I don't know how you do it."

Thanks! : )

Custom Gold Plated Yamaha DX7

video upload by 마스터뮤직_MasterMusic

Wait for it.

This one was spotted and sent in via supporting member Ivan Trajkovic aka dejayiwan.

Update: looks like the artist is french producer Dabeull. He definitely likes the DX7:

Dabeull - 'DX7' Song of the Week

video upload by Cynical Music

Hatsuyume - Nymphes + Noodlebox (Jamuary 2022)

video upload by allmyfriendsaresynths

"I read somewhere recently that in Japanese, Hatsuyume is the first dream of the new year, and that the outcome of that will bring you corresponding fortune or disfortune. I quite liked that idea, and so called the first 'jam' I did of 2022 after that.

I wanted to put together something using a couple of my latest acquisitions, the Dreadbox Nymphes, and the Sixty Four Pixels Noodlebox. I bought both of these from Signal Sounds back in December. To be honest, I only really discovered the Noodlebox thanks to Signal Sounds. They are my favourite synth shop, very nice people, and local to me in Glasgow. I personally recommend them if you're in the market for new gear. https://www.signalsounds.com/

p.s. I'm not really taking part in Jamuary, as I upload music all the time anyway. It's just a cynical ploy to draw in the Jamuary hunters."