A compilation album released by Ostinato Records titled “Synthesizing the Silk Roads: Uzbek Disco, Tajik Folktronica, Uighur Rock, Tatar Jazz from 1980s Soviet Central Asia” brings back to life a vibrant musical underground that existed during the Soviet rule in Central Asia. The album includes tracks that showcase a fusion of traditional Central Asian sounds with influences from disco, rock, and electronic music.
The compilation sheds light on a forgotten era when musicians from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and beyond were crafting a unique sound that challenged the state-approved folk ballads dominating the airwaves. This eclectic mix of music was born in the shadow of the Iron Curtain and reflected the diverse cultures that had mingled in the region for centuries.
The album also highlights the role of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, as a cultural hub that welcomed musicians, artists, and scientists from various ethnic backgrounds. It illustrates how musicians like the band Yalla, often called the “Uzbek Beatles,” blended traditional melodies with Western rock arrangements, creating a new sound that appealed to audiences within the USSR and beyond.
Through interviews and research, the album creators delve into the political context that shaped the music scene in Soviet Central Asia, from the thaw period under Khrushchev to the flourishing jazz and disco scenes of the 1970s and 1980s. The release of the compilation aims to illuminate the diversity and creativity of Central Asian music and challenge misconceptions about the Soviet Union as a closed-off society.
By rediscovering and celebrating the music of this era, the album hopes to elevate the perception of Central Asian music among listeners and showcase the region’s rich cultural history. Ultimately, the compilation serves as a time capsule of a vibrant musical period that deserves recognition and appreciation in the broader music landscape.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com