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Solid Soviet Steel Radio - The Essential VIA Grooves (Lesson 1)

from The Soviet Mixes (A Work In Progress) by DJ Scientist

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Solid Soviet Steel Radio (SSSR) is a special guest mix for Solid Steel by DJ Scientist that solely features music from the former Soviet Union. The dedicated record collector, disc jockey and label owner from Berlin managed to unearth and put together an extensive and fascinating selection of tracks from countries like the Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldavia, Russia and more, resulting in one of the most exciting and unique music adventures you may have heard in a while.

More than that, to make it even more special, this first lesson in a series of other Soviet mixes by DJ Scientist is dedicated to tracks by so-called VIA bands. VIA is an abreviation for Vocal Instrumentalis Ansamblis or Vocal Instrumental Ensemble which was basically the synonym for pop groups in the Soviet communist states throughout the 70s. Many of these groups managed to create their own kind of sound, mixing western styles like Jazz, Funk and Rock with traditional music from their own countries. For example, very unique vocal harmonies can be heard in VIAs such as Iverya (Georgia) or Gaya (Azerbaijan).

The mix starts with a deep and slow psych part, coming up with more funk-laden Soviet grooves and killer instrumental breaks. With some editing and dj-skills applied, the mix becomes a must listen for rare groove aficionados and music lovers alike. Essential listening guaranteed.

Additional Info:
All tracks have been recorded from original vinyl from the Soviet state label “Melodia” (Melody) and have been mixed and edited with Serato Scratch Live and Cubase. Special thanks to Tom Sky of Black Pearl Records (for Bayan Mongol) and Sven Cosmique. The track “Tiflis” by VIA 75 was used from a wrongly pitched mp3 version downloaded via sovietgroove.com as the available flexi disc version was of weaker quality.
Some of the bands appearing in the mix cannot clearly be labeled as VIAs. Rero for example usually was an instrumental group and has been called “Variety Orchestra”. However, on the track “Come Outside” they play together with a vocal group. Technically speaking, the famous “Rude-Paparude” by Maria Kodrianu is not a straight VIA track too, as Kodrianu was a well known solo singer from Moldavia. However, here she is backed by one of the funkiest grooves, played by a VIA that was lead by A. Mordkowicha.

Last but not least, it has to be noted that Mongolia has never been part of the Soviet Union and only has been under Soviet influence, such as states like Poland, Hungary, etc.. However, the two Mongolian records that were used in the mix have solely been released on the Soviet state label “Melodia”.

The artwork is taken from the cover of the Soviet youth magazine Krugozor issue 11/72.

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from The Soviet Mixes (A Work In Progress), released October 6, 2023

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