Falling in a delightful place between disco and Bollywood music, Rupa Biswas‘ often forgotten EP, Disco Jazz, is a fun record originally released in 1982 that unfortunately was released around the same time as Nazia Hassan‘s massive disco hit – “Aap Jaisa Koi.” As a result, Disco Jazz fell into obscurity until it was rediscovered by DJ sets a few years ago.
Thank heavens it was, because the EP is a blast. Teaming with a bunch of crackerjack Canadian studio musicians in Calgary, Rupa and her crew waste no time in getting you moving with “Moja Bhari Moja” – which translates to “Fun, great fun, fun.” Don Pope throws down a wicked solo while John Johnston matches him with one of the best disco bass licks you’ve heard since, well, 1982, Aashish Khan ups the ante on his sarod, and Robin Tupts‘ drum beat keeps the whole thing locked into a super groove.
“East West Shuffle” is an instrumental that has everyone grooving, especially Pranesh Khan on tablas. “Aaj Shanibar” is a bright track with Rupa doing acrobatic vocals alongside Aashish Khan’s sarod before Geoff Bell‘s synths take center stage for a shining solo. The closing track, “Ayee Morshume Be-Reham Duniya” showcases Rupa’s vocal talents (and a solo by Pope that seems effortless) even more and is a song about desiring to leave a world that suppresses love and joy to find one beyond it.
This EP is a treasure, and that it’s been unearthed after so many years is a blessing to music lovers around the world.
Keep your mind open.
[Hustle on over to the subscription box while you’re here.]
