Silk Road Secret Agents is Discotchari‘s monthly debriefing of music that highlights the fusion of musical movements around the world and throughout the ages with ethnic identities rooted in the diverse Silk Road region. We also dive deep into the history of artists whose life stories and music evoke dramatic cinema fit for Tarantino, Kiarostami, Wong Kar-Wai, Youssef Chahine and other legendary directors. These artists often times relied on their musical talent to navigate complex social structures, unite people from different backgrounds, and preserve their ethnic roots by reimagining them in new forms: inspiring the name “Silk Road Secret Agents”.

The basis of the Silk Road’s influence was local demand and appreciation for foreign supply of spices, materials, knowledge and all other tangible forms of culture. Alongside our radio show, we bring these values into the real world by playing and promoting live events featuring local talent who collectively embody the second metaphor of “Silk Road Secret Agents”: music selectors and artists acting as ambassadors and creators of international dance and roots music that is embedded with traditions catering to multinational audiences commonly found in cities with rich social fabric.

Anvar, known as Maqom Soul, is a true musical archaeologist from Tashkent. He digs through forgotten vinyl records, old archival tapes, and the history of late-Soviet Central Asia, uncovering gems most people have never even heard of. He’s also a selector on the ROVR platform, so his ear is perfectly tuned to rare and beautiful sounds. In 2024, Anvar teamed up with the New York–based label Ostinato Records to release a stunning compilation with the unforgettable title Synthesizing the Silk Roads: Uzbek Disco, Tajik Folktronica, Uyghur Rock & Tatar Jazz from 1980s Soviet Central Asia. In short, it’s an incredible journey through the disco, folk, and rock experiments of 1980s Central Asia – a must-listen for anyone who loves unusual music.

Recently, Anvar also launched his own label, Maqom Soul Records. Its first release was a reissue of the debut album by the Uyghur ensemble Yashlik. The result is careful, respectful work that honors both the material and the era. This time, he invites us on a remarkable journey through the synthesizer-driven soundscape of Central Asia – mysterious, hidden, and wrapped in Eastern intrigue. Bon appétit!