Discotchari has uncovered an entire deadstock run of this ‘45, still in the factory boxes from 1970, and repackaged 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.
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 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.