Ewan MacColl: Bothy Ballads of Scotland (FW 8759) an LP released in 1961

In 19th-century Scotland, farm laborers would live in small buildings called "bothies." The songs they would sing to each other were at one point collected by folklorists and are now referred to as "bothy ballads." One of the first records featuring these ballads was released in 1961 featuring singing by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger.

These songs are a lot of fun, and as you will soon notice, many of them feature relatively complex rhythms.

 

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 10 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica AT33MONO

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 96kHz resolution with 32-bit floating point

Software: Audacity, Izotope Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC files (657 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (181 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (137 MB)

highest quality mp3 files possible 

Nass El Ghiwane: Sinya (Polydor 222 5008) a single released in Morocco in 1972

Here we have a single released by the Moroccan music group Nass El Ghiwane under the alias of "New Dervich." The labels tell the true story, however.

Nass El Ghiwane is a legendary musical group hailing from Casablanca Morocco, emerged in the late 1960s as a voice for social change and cultural preservation. Comprising members Laarbi Batma, Omar Essayed, Allal Yaala, and Boujmia Hagour, Nass El Ghiwane blended traditional Moroccan music with contemporary influences and instruments (such as the banjo), creating a unique sound that resonated with people across generations.

The band's name, Nass El Ghiwane, translates to "the troubadours," reflecting their commitment to using music as a medium to address societal issues. Their lyrics tackle themes of poverty, injustice, and the complexities of modernity. 

One of their songs was featured in the Martin Scorsese 1988 film, "The Last Temptation of Christ," and I first heard them as part of the album, Passion Sources which Peter Gabriel assembled for his Real World label.

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 10 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica AT33MONO

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution

Software: Audacity, Izotope Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 48kHz mono FLAC files (75 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (41 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (29 MB)

highest quality mp3 files possible 

Nas Labsat: Single (Disques Gam BG 125) a 7-inch single recorded and released in Morocco in about 1976

Here we have a single from Morocco from a band named Nas Labsat.  I couldn't find out much about the group other than the Discogs listing. 

There are two songs for a total of about 13 minutes of Moroccan groove. 

Here is a taste from a YouTube video of someone filming their stereo while they play side B of the record:

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 10 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica AT33MONO

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution

Software: Audacity, Izotope Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 48kHz mono FLAC files (100 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (64 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (52 MB)

highest quality mp3 files possible 

Asha Bhosle: Asha's Stage Hits (SEDE 3309) an EP recorded and released in India in 1963

I recently purchased a small stack of Indian EPs from a local used record store. Most seem to be songs from stage plays in the Marathi language. Some are modern Marathi songs. Here we have four songs performed by famed Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle from the play Manapman by Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar.

The songs are:

A1 - Yuvati Mana Darun

A2 - Shura Mi Vandile

B1 - Chandrika Hi Janun

B2 - Ravi Mi Ha Chandra

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 10 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica AT33MONO

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution

Software: Audacity, Izotope Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 48kHz mono FLAC files (119 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (80 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (73 MB)

highest quality mp3 files possible 

Music of the Edo Period (BM 30 L 2014) an LP recorded in Japan in 1962 and released in Germany in 1966

 

Here we have a LP recorded in 1962 by NHK in Japan and released as part of the well-known UNESCO series of LPs on the Bärenreiter-Musicaphon label in 1966.

The Edo period in Japan, lasting from 1603 to 1868, was marked by profound cultural and artistic developments, including the evolution of a distinct musical landscape. During this time music played a crucial role in reflecting societal changes and expressing the unique aesthetic sensibilities of the time.

One of the notable characteristics of Edo period music was its integration of various traditional Japanese musical styles, such as gagaku (court music), shomyo (Buddhist chanting), and min'yo (folk songs). These diverse influences contributed to the rich tapestry of Edo music, creating a mixture that mirrored the eclectic nature of the period.

24bit, 96kHz FLAC file (935 MB)

Very high resolution lossless files

16bit, 44.1kHz FLAC file (267 MB)

Standard resolution lossless files 

320kbps mp3 file (154 MB)

The highest quality lossy mp3 possible

Kishori Amonkar: Marathi Songs (EMI 7EPE 1365) an EP recorded and released in India in 1968

Here is an interesting EP of classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar singing two modern songs in the Marathi language in 1968.

The two songs are, "He Shyamsunder Manamohan" and "Jain Vicharit Raanfula."

The lyrics are by Shanta Shelke and the music was composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar (brother of Lata and Asha). 

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica AT33MONO

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution

Software: Audacity, Izotope Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 48kHz mono FLAC files (103 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (69 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mono mp3 files (63 MB)

highest quality mp3 files possible 

Gladag-Badung vol 3 -- a cassette of gamelan music recorded and released in Bali

Here we have a cassette I purchased in the mid-1980s. I had very little luck finding out any information about it on the internet. It is nonetheless delightful.

Balinese gamelan is an intricate musical tradition which holds a central place in the island’s rich cultural tapestry. Rooted in the island's Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Balinese gamelan is a complex ensemble of percussion instruments, producing a harmonious and rhythmic symphony that captivates both the ears and the soul.

The origins of gamelan can be traced back over a thousand years, with influences from Java and the Majapahit Empire. The music is deeply intertwined with religious ceremonies, traditional rituals, and artistic performances.

Central to gamelan is its distinctive ensemble of percussive instruments. These include metallophones, gongs, drums, and other metallic instruments, collectively creating a shimmering and resonant sound. The instruments are organized into sets, or "gamel," each with a specific role and pitch range.

Transfer: Nakamichi Dragon cassette deck, extensively refurbished and rebuilt.
Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 24bit/48kHz resolution
Software: Audacity and xAct.
Monitoring: Digital line out from a MacBook, Focal Spirit One headphones with Schitt Audio Asgard headphone preamp with 4490 DAC

downloads:

24bit, 48kHz FLAC files (733 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (385 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (136 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible