Hip-Hop has been nothing short of a phenomenon in India and over the years the culture is permeating deeper into the ethos of our musical landscape. As a result we’re seeing the exponential rise of auxiliary tributaries associated with this genre of music – the 5 elements of Hip-Hop – which has led to the import and now the Indian-isation of the culture. The beat scene which is such an integral part of the music making process in Rap & Hip-Hop has gradually established a niche presence over the past decade. ‘Bangalore Sonic Archives’ feels like a stroll through the bustling city with your headphones and zoning out in the chill atmosphere this album is so successful in creating. It gives the listener a lens to perceive the chaos that is Bangalore. Following the release of singles which mainly aimed to blend flipping samples and synth pop – sometimes also incorporating live vocals and structured songwriting – Sakré seems to have entered a new era where he is exploring flipping in a more traditional context and also with a slightly Indian bent of mind.
Indian instruments and songwriting have largely lent themselves well to the concept of resampling and flipping. It provides a rich backdrop that subtly focuses on the cultural context and Sakré does accomplish that in some sense. ‘Baa Illi’ that kicks of the tape, opens with a series of melodic flips from a mandolin. He also uses teh guitar which the producer played himself. The entry of the sampled strings that are very reminiscent of 90s film music, makes it familiar but still largely unidentifiable to be able to point a finger to a source. Its a collage that remembers kindly the warmth of an era. ‘Gangubai’ centres a highly distorted vocal sample of folk singer Gangubai Hangal. The treatment on it feels like an fading image but still clear enough to recall how it felt. I like that Sakré has in some aspect retained the rawness of the sample immediately invoking a nostalgic response. The side-chaining also adds movement but still allows the sample to shine.
‘Chandni’ pays homage to Kannada cult icon Upendra, specifically sampling a dialogue from the film ‘A’. The word ‘Chandni’ keeps repeating in the song in a similar as how she keeps reappearing at different times in the film. The drums once again not overtaking the sample instead providing space to breathe and exist with minimal warping and interpolation. ‘Bangalore 3034ad’ is a simple beat without any sampling except for the opening. The track though without samples still embodies a warm palette that is very much in the same sonic space as teh other tracks of the EP. It serves as a relaxing moment personally, knowing that I don’t have to look for references. It’s easy and keeps things coasting.
‘Gangubai Hangal Shastriya Sangeeta’ is a rework of the earlier ‘Gangubai’ by the highly elusive and secretive ‘Babloo Babylon’. The producer and beat maker having rampantly gained notoriety for flipping samples and using the warmth of the SP404 as a whole aesthetic, finds himself back in the scene after having taken a five year long hiatus from 2019. ‘Babloo Babylon’ understands what Sakré is going for with the EP and goes for a very understated approach. ‘4265khz’ is a reference to the highly controversial shortwave radio frequency band. There are a number of conspiracy theories surrounding this frequency band which occasionally turns on and sends out highly cryptic code. The beat has been made solely using the sounds that were heard on the frequency band and some drums. Apart from the ‘pew pew’ and ‘bloops’ a man speaking Russian names can be heard as well.
Closing the EP is ‘Narayana’ which is a recording of a ‘Nadaswaram’ player who passes by producers house everyday. The Nadaswaram is an iconic sound known for its majestic presence and is largely played at South Indian weddings and temples. Sakré chops up the recorded to create a hook which serves as the foundation of the whole track. After the entire EP, this song feels like a common thread that connects the people of Bangalore irrespective of how different they maybe. The producer must be commended on his ability to spotlight highly obscure and deep cultural references in his body of work. ‘Bangalore Sonic Archives’ which was initially a social media project with Alserkal Avenue with Sakré performing at his most cherished places in the city is now a full fledged beat tape, for which he roduced a few more tunes. The EP doesn’t directly chronicle the city or atleast in the way one might expect but Sakré’s choice of samples and references puts a spotlight on some of the cultural and niche communal backdrops that make up a part of the vibrant metropolitan. A slow, easy going listen full of easter eggs.
Listen to ‘Bangalore Sonic Archives’ on Spotify & Apple Music
