Cabaret Voltaire ‎– Yashar

The spoken word samples are taken from a legendary episode of the outer limits ("demon with a glass hand") and go like this: "the 70 billion people of Earth - where are they hiding?". More from the dialogue of the episode was used on the tracks "soul vine (70 billion people)" and "soulenoid (scream at the right time)" on the 1993 cabs-album "plasticity" (a highly underrated piece of work!).
Anyway, the john robie version of yashar has been the first serious attempt for cv to enter the realm of dance-music although by today's standards these notion seems pretty odd, given the rough and rumbling drums and the awkwardly fluttering synths, let alone the oriental hints. but all versions (with the live version from HAI! being the least acceptable) still work their very special charm and the newer remixes from alter ego and others couldn't really hit the spot. A classic and influential tune.

A quote of vocal samples "There's 70 billion people on Earth!" & "Where Are They Hiding?" (the last one later sampled on the Techno classic "Where Are They Hiding" by Frankie Bones & Joey Beltram on their Mental Mayhem project years later, in 1990) opens the amazing "Yashar" by Cabaret Voltaire.
The combination of Synth lines composed by an Arabic chorus simulation, rhythmic bass synthesized lines (that are sharper, more metallic and Industrial-type on the original version by Richard H. Kirk and Stephen Mallinder) and other instrument simulations impresses even the high-demanding addicteds. Electro & Synth Pop specialist John Robie is behind a special extended version of "Yashar"; his percussion is electronic, though very well shaped and, surrounded by his typical lines of synths will certainly remind you of his contributions on New Order's eighties releases.

Hard to believe this was released in 1983, totally ahead of it's time, sampled vocal loops 'there's 70 billion people on Earth, where are they hiding?'. Sampled Indian style drums, with an eastern flavour too in the synths and backing vocals, panning horns all over a straight electro style 4/4 beat. Another favourite from my teen years, still sounds fresh today.