Bontempi

The Bontempi is an electrical powered three octave keyboard that has a sound similar to a wind powered melodica. It is cased in a plastic body and has additional note keys on the left of the keyboard, and power and volume modulators on the right.

bontempi is also the name of an East-Worcestershire / East-Yorkshire underground movement. Originally a music based synth ensemble, a group named bontempi in later years went on to become a brand, (after making their name as a hugely popular band). Their slogan ran:

"bontempi the band
 bontempi the bRand
 bontempi aren't banned"

An original 1992 t-shirt bearing that slogan was recently sold on eBay for 300 Euros.

The word bontempi is derived from the Japanese, and roughly translates to ‘in one mind/one concept’. The phrase perfectly encapsulated the movement it created.

It is widely rumoured that the very early stages of the ‘bontempi movement’ originated in East Worcestershire, however specifying further on it’s early location still baffles historians, the mystery location has endearingly been given the name ‘Bontempi HQ’ it is uncertain whether or not this was in name used by the secret underground movement. Allegedly this location has become an elite school which has been set up to ensure the survival and understanding of bontempi, the school charges no fees and requires no specific academic achievement. Rather candidates reportedly endure a gruelling two week induction period, were the mainstream are whittled away to leave the new members of bontempi. Unlike it’s location, the ‘bontempi movement’ beliefs are resolute; to scorn anything the group labels as ‘mainstream’. To encourage indie music to flourish thought-out the country. These two central themes of the movement have lead some journalists to label bontempi as ‘the most influential British Youth movement since Punk and the scouts’ .

NOTE: Not to be confused with the Canadian band of the same name.