‘Awaaz: Series 1’ compilation reintroduces Indian funk & disco tunes from CBS India

Naya Beat, the label started by LA-based Raghav Mani and Filip Niklovic, returns to the world of reissues with their latest compilation focused solely on CBS India’s long forgotten and eclectic Hindi film tunes from 1982 to 1986.

Titled ‘Awaaz Series 1: Original Soundtrack Recordings from the Archives of CBS Gramophone & Tapes India 1982-1986’, the compilation comes after a successful streak of reissues and releases, including the critically acclaimed compilation ‘Naya Beat Volume 1’, Indo-British new wave band Pinky Ann Rihal’s one-off album ‘Tere Liye’ and Dimitiri From Paris’ remix of Asha Puthli’s ‘Space Talk’.

‘Awaaz: Series 1’ attempts to re-present a slice of the massive catalog that CBS India had amassed over the years.

CBS Gramophone Records & Tapes (India) Ltd. aka CBS India was launched in 1982 with the help and ownership of the mega-wealthy Tata Group. Unfortunately, the label would face extreme difficulties over the years.

It was a revolutionary time in Indian music, when disco had taken over everything and drum machines and synthesisers were evident in every Bollywood soundtrack.

Though times were changing, CBS India seemingly struggled to get titles under their belt, competing with well-established labels His Master’s Voice and Music India.

Outside Bollywood, CBS India opened their doors to experimental music releases. The 'Louis Banks’ Sangam' jazz album and Remo’s rock masterpiece 'Bombay City!' both were released on the label to lukewarm reception but have since become holy grails with collectors willing to pay hundreds of dollars for original wax pressings.

When the label collapsed in 1989, all recordings and rights were transferred to another company. However, it’s undeniable that they gave music enthusiasts plenty of memorable moments.

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‘Awaaz: Series 1’ is a reflection of that. ‘Mere Jaisi Mehbooba’ by Bappi Lahiri, the Hindi remake of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Rockit’ is the highlight of the release. Bappi also holds space on four other tracks on the album with one of them — ‘Rural Flesh Market’ from the Kamla OST — being the most “non-Bappi-sounding” Bappi soundtracks to be ever made.

Kamla was based on a real-life exposé of human trafficking. Bappi took the task of soundtracking this film and came up with an album of mostly instrumental tracks on Indian classical instruments.

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Also on the compilation are debutant music director duo Anand Milind with ‘Becho Becho’, the almost-unknown Kirti Anuraag with two loungey instrumental pieces from the low-budget straight-to-VHS release Siyahi and Tamil music maestro Ilaiyaraaja on ‘Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaa Le’, a track from Sadma (his first ever Bollywood score).

Bollywood regulars RD Burman, Raamlaxman and Kalyanji-Anandji also feature on the compilation with their trademark funk sound.

‘Awaaz Series 1: Original Soundtrack Recordings from the Archives of CBS Gramophone & Tapes India 1982-1986’ is out now via Naya Beat Records, purchase it here.