Grab your inhalers and Wal-Zyr, this must is wafting your way. I have recently returned from my first jaunt in India having acquired some very special possessions, not least of which are the 50 or so classical and Bollywood records that I hand-carried on planes from Hadji Ibrahim's shop in Mumbai to Oakland where I witnessed their defilement by a suspicious TSA employee (something to do with the composition of the vinyl...). These records are the main impetus behind the birth of this blog, but there may be some very special Pakistani and Afghani ghazal tapes coming through eventually. I will first post all the bollywood 45's followed by the classical LPs followed by tapes, or something like that.
Anyone interested in records who is going to India should have the pleasure of visiting Haji Ebrahim or his brother at their shop near Null Bazaar in Mumbai. Marked by golden gramophones and casually suspended vinyl discs rotating in the hot air, the small shop offers a selection of antique radios and audio devices in addition to 78's, 45's, and LP's. The brothers travel the subcontinent on collecting expeditions sometimes yielding a couple thousand records that are then painstakingly freighted back to Mumbai. The records are behind a desk so you must request or accept their knowledgeable and generous recommendations. Bring lots of rupees.
The must of this place that permeates all of the record sleeves is disguised by India's numerous "aromas," but back in the sterile USA, it rears it's true head. You know it's not from this time nor this place, and lends the records an added authenticity on top of the badass music already contained in them. So understand this: what you will hear from these posts are simply direct recordings of all this vinyl in its current, found state. If you want some clean mp3's, I'm sure that's out there too. For me this is really a documentation of artifacts of a physical nature. That is to say objects with a unique and delicate physical, historical, and cultural presence that fulfills all the senses. That is why I am also posting images of each piece's tattered cover. I will try to post as much relevant information that seems important. If anyone needs to add or amend something, feel free to contribute.
Thanks for reading. This blog will grow fast so check back often and listen up!
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