John Bilezikjan & Raja Zahr
Something Different
Discotchari has uncovered an entire deadstock run of this 45, still in the factory boxes from 1970, and will be
repackaging them as the exciting first release of the rare groove label! Previously unheard material from the most
progressive oud player of the 20th century: John Bilezikjian and the Elias Rahbani of Burbank-via-Beirut: Raja Zahr.
Hundreds of "deadstock", 7" 45pm units, plus digital downloads and streaming on all platforms will be available November
3rd, 2023!
A dynamic duo too ambitious for its own good, Something Different produced a lone '45 RPM together that ended up getting
shelved as the artists' respective solo careers took off. Taking turns on lead, a barely 21-year-old John Bilezikjian
plays a variety of strings including oud, bass and harpsichord alongside young Raja Zahr showcasing his talent in an
arsenal of percussion.
"Zulu Man" is generally accepted to be the Side A of this '45, and secondary sources are inconclusive about who sang
vocals - the songwriter himself John or perhaps one of Nose Records' session musicians credited on the center label. The
track is a final breath of psychedelic 60's air, leaning more towards the obscurities of Gandalf and King Crimson than
the soundtracks of the decade like Led Zeppelin's debut or "Are You Experienced?" The song is more epic poem than psych
rock, measuring an African shaman against the weight of the world while John's oud pulls on the listener's heart
strings.
"Chemical Reaction" defies genre; it is the theme to its own world of sandy landscapes and scorching sun. "Lawrence of
Arabia meets Hawaii Five-O"; "Cleopatra meets Baywatch", the scenarios are endless when it comes to properly
categorizing the high times and low lunges this track can create on a dance floor. If it weren't for the love that John
and Raja each had for their roots, their musical careers might have evolved differently together and Something Different
could have been a familiar phrase for fans of The Eagles, Pink Floyd, and other introspective bands.
Originally pressed by Nose Records in 1970
Price
Genre
Format
7inch · 1 disc
Release
03-11-2023
Label
Item-nr
1308444
EAN
0197644375011
Availability
Not in stock
Tracks
Title
Artist
1
ZULU MAN
2
CHEMICAL REACTION