'Indian Vibes' compiles archive electronic sounds inspired by the Subcontinent

French label Wagram Music have released a compilation of electronic tunes inspired by India's rich musical heritage.

'Indian Vibes: The Finest Selection Of Electronic Music With Indian Flavor' features 18 tracks plucked from all corners of the electronic underground, with each title in some way influenced by the nation's vibrant sonic tapestry.

The album features well-known acts like Bonobo, Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra, Kid Loco, Fakear and more. The Indian diaspora is well represented, too, with Nitin Sawhney, Asian Dub Foundation, and Panjabi MC among those whose roots extend deep into the Subcontinent. Varying in tone from laidback listening to tried and tested club weapons, the collection offers an interesting glimpse into just how profoundly Indian music has permeated electronic music over the past 30 or more years.

Among the many masterful compositions featured are the blissed-out meanderings of Bonobo's 2000 released 'Terapin', Asian Dub Foundation's tabla-infused 1995 groove 'Rivers Of Dub', and Panjabi MC's crossover bhangra bomb 'Mundian To Bach Ke'.

While India's very own underground electronic music scene has been flourishing in recent years – with countless artists and crews blossoming in the country's major cities over the past decade – it's interesting to absorb the cross-pollination of styles and sounds that the global dance community has manifested since electronic music began finding a universal audience. It would be beyond the scope of a single compilation to tell the whole story, of course, but 'Indian Vibes' does a fine job presenting a broad strokes introduction to some of the compelling sounds to have emerged.

Listen to Asian Dub Foundation's Rivers Of Dub here:

'Indian Vibes: The Finest Selection Of Electronic Music With Indian Flavor' is out now, you can buy the vinyl here

Patrizio Cavaliere is Mixmag Asia's Music Editor. Follow him on Instagram