Step into the mesmerizing world of the Georgian Sound. Within this collection, you'll explore the sounds of Georgian music crafted during the vibrant decades of the 70s and 80s when the country was a part of the Soviet Union. Immerse yourself in the unique blend of folk, rock, jazz, funk, and various genres emanating from the state-owned Melodia Studio. 

Remarkably, across the 15 countries of the USSR, a mere seven such studios existed, and one of them was in the heart of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. Considering Georgia's modest 1.8% share of the USSR's population, this fact speaks volumes about the nation's rich and diverse musical history. 
According to various accounts, local musicians managed to release 700-1000 albums before the Soviet Union's dissolution, and the significance of this musical legacy became even more apparent.

We aim to share rare albums from when Georgian sounds intertwined with the broader Soviet music scenes. Preserving our distinct voice and musical identity was paramount, inspiring us to craft this special setlist for our audience.

Despite the Soviet government's restrictions on music production and distribution, Georgian musicians creatively circumvented censorship, releasing a significant body of work on vinyl. Today, Georgian vinyl records from the Soviet era are prized collector's items, reflecting the enduring value of this musical heritage.

We are TANDEMI, music enthusiasts from Tbilisi, Georgia. We would like to thank our friends who helped create this unique setlist as smoothly as possible, so special thanks to our friends at Morevi Records and Solo Gagua (Boya) for giving us space and helping record this setlist, Alexander Iakobashvili and Nika Tabukashvili for the video and unique lights. All music rights belong to their rightful owners. Please support the musicians and buy their music. Cover image by Mirian Jugheli.

70's Georgian Soviet Funk and Rock on Vinyl

In this episode, we want to explore Georgian female voices on vinyl. During the next 30 minutes, you will dive into sounds from the early 1940s to the 1980s. Within this selection, you will hear diverse voices - Sisters Ishkhneli, Giuli Chokheli, Eter Kakulia, Via Aisi, and many more, seamlessly blending folk, jazz, funk, and rock. The state-owned Melodia studio has released all of these records.

Remarkably, across the 15 countries of the USSR, a mere seven such studios existed, and one of them was in the heart of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. Considering Georgia's modest 1.8% share of the USSR's population, this fact speaks volumes about the nation's rich and diverse musical history. According to various accounts, local musicians managed to release 700-1000 albums before the Soviet Union's dissolution, and the significance of this musical legacy became even more apparent.

We aim to share rare albums from when Georgian sounds intertwined with the broader Soviet music scenes. Preserving our distinct voice and musical identity was paramount, inspiring us to craft this unique setlist for our audience. Despite the Soviet government's restrictions on music production and distribution, Georgian musicians creatively circumvented censorship, releasing a significant body of work on vinyl. Today, Georgian vinyl records from the Soviet era are prized collector's items, reflecting the enduring value of this musical heritage. 

We are TANDEMI, music enthusiasts from Tbilisi, Georgia. We thank our friend Alexander Iakobashvili for the video and lights. Cover Photo by Guram Tikanadze, 1960. All music rights belong to their rightful owners. Please support the musicians and buy their music.

Georgian Female Voices On Vinyl  (1940 - 1980)

Learning and mastering one new thing is always a challenge for me. I always wonder why people choose to organize chaos in their lives. My approach to the state of the mind is to balance everything in a modern, chaotic world. Stability is a key to staying human, staying alive, and understanding why chaos matters to others. I recorded this set at 303zh studio during the winter of 2024. 

Image source: "If humans had four arms and four legs, would they burden us, or would they be useful?" https://bit.ly/3KA01Yc

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