»Naya Beat« can be roughly translated from Hindi as »New Beat«. However, the compilation put together by the two founders of the label of the same name, Turbotito and Ragz, has nothing to do with the Belgian music genre. As their sprawling name suggests, the records feature moderately popular tracks from South Asia or by South Asian interpreters released between 1983 and 1992. Tracks from Suriname, Guyana, the UK, Canada, Pakistan and of course India have been unearthed, licensed and recontextualized. And the proof that India, for example, has much more to offer than the usual suspects Lata Ramasar or Charanjit Singh is effortlessly provided by this prudently curated compilation. Synthesizer, sitar and tabla fit together perfectly and – very important! – not like nice gimmicks, but expand the eighties or early nineties sound profitably. Every synth line, every animating bass line, every drum roll, every hook, even if incomprehensible to the reviewer, is an immense joy. Even the two label founders contribute musically from time to time and have smuggled four straightened reworks among the 13 tracks of the compilation. Even this does not seem reverent, however, but fuels the euphoric mood even more. »Chipko Chipko« steals the show from the King of Pop with ease, the club mix of »Can’t Face The Night« grooves incredibly engagingly. A release on which it is extremely difficult to highlight.
SUMAC & Moor Mother
The Film
Thrill Jockey