Tantra (2) - Hills Of Katmandu / Wishbone

This 12" vinyl single is legendary. It found it's way into the hands of but a dozen or so of the most discerning, best connected late-70s DJs in a few major US cities when it was released in Italy. However, it was so unique, refreshing, and beautifully engineered that it became an instant sensation on any dance floor lucky enough to enjoy it, and DJs of every stripe, near and far, began clammering for a copy. Acquiring one was easier said than done, although I was an avid import vinyl collector with great NYC sources, and friends with a DJ who had a copy (Chuck Parsons, Baltimore, MD). Chuckie often helped me secure hard-to-get, import vinyl, but quickly dispelled any hope of getting one of these, as he showed me his copy, and shook his head, saying "you can't get it.....it's sold out---not even DJs can get this right now". I remember the label was written entirely in Italian. Ultimately, the demand for these tracks was so great, a deal was struck between it's Italian producers and Importe/12 (Sugarscoop) to produce them along with numerous other Tantra tracks, in a packaged album for domestic US release. Tantra - The Double Album, was a huge success, and became a staple for any early-80s DJ worth his or her salt. It is catalogued following this listing, and includes several photographs, including those of the inside covers,with liner notes which contained lyrics and photos of the band, and also a commentary written by Brian Chin, the Discotheque Editor of Record World magazine. It is an accurately worded narrative of the success of the music, and how the Double Album came to be, and it is quite an anomoly for a disco album of that day (very few included such packaging). I bought a copy the week it was released, but a decade ago I bequeathed it to an up-and-coming DJ friend to help put a nugget of gold in his vinyl collection. Seeing the photos, and re-reading Brian's piece again brings back fond memories for me, and, to this day, the initial strains of "Hills of Katmandu" still give me chills. It is a true classic. The 12" singles labeled in Italian are rarest (the originals), and are valuable collector's items.