Groovier side of the Iron Curtain is uncovered via the 11-track compilation. First of its kind for Funk Embassy Records, the compilers of Groove of ESSR have dug the archives of Estonian Radio for funk, soul-jazz, disco, instrumentals, library music and covers. Influences from West made it to Soviet Estrada musicians on one hand; to rock, jazz, folk and fusion artists on the other. Recorded between 1974-1988, this is the sound of Estonian artists as heard at music halls, stadiums, radio, TV shows and cafeterias.

Selection ranges from folk-funk, psychedelic soul, dancefloor certified disco, Isaac Hayes reminiscent blues-funk, contemplative jazz-funk, Piero Umiliani-esque library music, funk-rock, in-your-face b-boy break to a flute-led master piece by Uno Naissoo – one of the founders of the Estonian jazz scene who organized the notorious Tallinn Jazz Festivals (1949-1967).

Some of the tracks were unreleased – instrumental versions by the Estonian TV and Radio Estrada Orchestra “Kesköösamba” (1977); and “Mälestuste teel” (1974, tr. “On the memory lane”) carried by a sentiment that predicts composer Raivo Tammik’s escape to Germany a year later; a cover of Carita Holmström, “Näed vaid oma silmi” with the former Soviet child star Tiiu Varik belting her unique-timbred guts out. Other tracks are local classics, and some have seen the light of day before, be it cassettes, compilation CDs or repressed vinyls.

Third pressing, 180-gram, black vinyl with a printed innersleeve!