Sir David Attenborough has asked a number of DJs to remix a recording that was captured by him about 70 years ago. The well-known broadcaster is famous for bringing access to the wonders of the natural world into our lives,
However, this completely different excursion into the realm of dance music is unexpected. According to the NME, the recording was made in Bali in the 1950s and the purpose for recruiting the skills of a DJ is simply to put a different take on it.
The sounds are of sacred gamelan music which was recorded by Attenborough while searching for a Komodo dragon. The 3-minute original recording was intended to be used in the background of Zoo Quest, a 1950’s BBC TV series.
In the show, Attenborough journeyed around the world along with London Zoo experts capturing new specimens. Sir David’s hopes for this musical collaboration of original ethnic sounds with a modern track is so that a new generation of listeners can get to experience Indonesian music.
Attenborough spoke about the excellent musicians he encountered:
“The villagers play this concerted music with extraordinary precision and real zest. So it is haunting music that you hear every night – or you did in those days, in the villages of Bali.”
The vast majority of recordings made for the series went unused until Attenborough brought up the subject with Julian May the Radio 4 producer.
The chosen remix will be selected from a number of entries by Sir David and a panel of judges to include Ghostpoet and Cerys Matthews. The competition is being run in conjunction with the PRS Foundation.
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