Elektra started out in the middle of the 1960s as a female vocal group with a fluctuating line-up which was accompanied by different instrumental groups. In the end of the 1970s, pianist Aarne Saluveer became the head of the backing musicians and his friends Agu Tammeorg, Meelis Punder and Jaan Karp joined the band. During this period, Elektra performed together with the college girl band Kooli-prii which Kadri Hunt, who was the daughter of Elektra’s conductor Märt Hunt, had formed together with her classmates. By 1981, the Kooli-prii girls had replaced the former singers of Elektra.

Kadri Hunt loved songs with Afro-American influences, which she heard from radio or the few records she could get her hands on. Kooli-prii played these songs at their concerts and soul singer Marju Kuut taught them voice placing. The girls went to a school which focused on English teaching so they sang in English at their concerts but they had to get the lyrics translated in order to avoid problems with recordings. In 1981, Elektra recorded only a few disco songs but that was it because the number of music studios in Tallinn was very limited. For example, the Estonian Radio studio where they could record with 8-track tape recorders was vacant only during the nights.

“Keegi” with the original title “You Might Need Somebody” was based on Randy Crawford’s interpretation of the song which was released the same year – the original was a yacht-rock song performed by Turley Richards. The original version of “Meid kaasa muusika viib” called “Jump To The Beat” was made famous by the teenage singer Stacy Lattishaw.

During the next few years, disco music went out of fashion in Estonia and the repertoire of the band became more popular to match the musical taste of the keyboard player. In addition to that, Kadri Hunt became the only singer. In 1985, Elektra released its only record – a 7” EP – and their music had become completely distanced from black music.

A-side Keegi 4:50
Written by Tom Snow, Nan O’Byrne

B-side Meid kaasa muusika viib 5:12
Written by Narada Michael Walden, Lisa Walden

Estonian lyrics by Märt Hunt
Recorded at Eesti Raadio studio, Tallinn, October 1981
Recorded by Mati Brauer

Kadri Hunt – vocals
Tauno Saviauk - flute
Agu Tammeorg - guitar
Meelis Punder - bass
Jaan Karp - drums
Aarne Saluveer – keyboards
Kersti Raig, Tiina Kalle, Signe Tükk – vocals

Mastered by Lynn Petrin at Ebony Cuts
Photo by Arno Saar
Layout by Bassein

P Eesti Rahvusringhääling 1981
C Frotee 2014