Ali Akbar Khan 1967 'Raga Medhavi & Bairagi'

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Here is a 1967 Indian release of Ali Akbar Khan. I believe our friend Tawfiq at 'oriental-traditional-music' posted a copy of this in 2015. I have compared my version and found it brighter with more upper frequencies, which adds a nice clarity. I ordered this LP from the Ukraine... so not only was I happy that it actually made it all the way to Australia, it also looked unplayed, so a great opportunity to digitise it in its prime! It's truly a joy to find these 50 year old records in such great condition. A  fairly relaxed rendition of Raga Medhavi and a nice rendition of Bairagi. The technical accuracy stands out nicely into the faster passages.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1319

Tracks:
A - Raga Medhavi (Short Alap & Vilambit Gat in Teentaal)
B - Raga Bairagi (Short Alap, Gats in Taal Shashanka & Fast Gat in Teentaal)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ravi Shankar ‎1963 'The Exciting Music Of Ravi Shankar'

Hi friends. Here is a 1963 UK pressing of Ravi Shankar. Fairly sure it's only released in mono. Not the worst recording! It's fairly easy to get a copy of this LP online. A friend has told me there are a few various compilation CDs from India with these tracks. Hopefully this is better than those.

Label: Melodisc (3) ‎– MLP 12-151, EALP 1273 & MOAE 126

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Hema-Bihag
B1 - Raga Malaya Marutam
B1 - Raga Mishra-Mand

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV/FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db and tracks merged to MONO to reduce noise, in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ravi Shankar 1967 'In New York'

Hi friends. Here is a nice 1967 US pressing of Ravi Shankar In New York. I have compared it to the Angel CD release. The vinyl has a bit more space/ambience, where as the CD version sounds slightly flat but louder. Also on the vinyl the Sitar lies a bit more to the right of the stereo spectrum. The tabla sounds a bit more open and sustained on the vinyl as well. Anyway - you can choose yourself which versions you prefer! Enjoy. 

Label: World Pacific ‎– WPS-21441

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Bairagi
A2 - Nata Bhairavi
B1 - Raga Marwa

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV/FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1964 'The Classical Music of India'

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This vinyl was released in the US in 1964 as a Mono and a Stereo version and re-released in 1972. There was also a CD released of the Stereo version in Europe, which is almost impossible to find. I have a copy - quality isn't much better but it's louder with more bass in the tabla. Some mono versions also exist on some other CD's such as 'The Emperor of Melody'. However, they sound a bit flat. Here is the 1964 Stereo digitised version that I acquired in January 2018. There was also an Indian pressing from earlier than 1964 with Ali Akbar Khan sitting on the floor.

Label: Prestige ‎– PRST 1079

Tracks:
A - Raga Lajwanti 13:47
B - Raga Todi 13:45

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Nazakat Ali - Salamat Ali 1964 'Raga Abhogi Kanada, Thumree'

As promised - a second LP post before I go on vacation. An early 1964 recording by Nazakat and Salamat Ali - I believe it is their second LP? Feel free to comment on this duo. I really enjoyed the first LP "Classical Music From Pakistan" 1959, which was beautiful transferred on Flat, Black, Classical blog: (http://flatblackandclassical.blogspot.com/2018/03/nazakat-and-salamat-ali-khan-clp-1308.html). Enjoy!

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EALP 1282

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Abhogi Kanada
B1 - Raga Gavati
B2 - Raga Mishra Khamaj

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Savita Devi ‎1985 'Shyam Mori Gali Aaja'

Hi friends. I haven't been able to post much lately due to my work. Anyway, I am going to post two LPs now before I go away for a short vacation. This is an Indian pressing of Savita Devi. As far as I know, this may be her only LP? I don't know much about this artist so feel free to comment with any facts and trivia - but I've also included some more biography info below.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 3116

Tracks:
A1 - Shyam Mori Gali Aaja - Thumri Bhairvi
A2 - Zulmi Sanvaria Na Jane Kadariya - Bhairavi Dadra
A3 - Salone Sawan Aayo Re - Kajri
B1 - Mooratiya Man Men Basi Tori - Thumri Based On Misra Tilang
B2 - Banke Saiyan Na Jane Man Ki Batiyan Ho Ram - Dadra Based On Pahari
B3 - Hori Main Kheloongi Shyam Se Dat Ke - Hori Based On Shahana

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Some more info from the cover:

SAVITA DEVI hails from a well-known musical family in Benares which has given us many memorable exponents of classical and light classical music since the last hundred years or more. Maina Devi, her daughter Rajeswari Devi, the latter's daughter Siddheswari Devi (who was our contemporary until 1977), and her illustrious and versatile daughter SAVITA DEVI - have all been names to conjure with in the field of light classical varieties of the Poorab ang. As long as Siddheswari Devi dominated the world of light classical music, Savita was content to remain in her mother's shadow as a supporting singer imbibing her mother's rich musical traditions with deep devotion. However, after Siddheswari Devi's death in March 1977. Savita has risen to prominence as the heiress to the musical wealth and rich repertoire of her reputed mother. Providing vocal support to Siddheswari Devi in various public concerts and radio programmes, Savita received excellent training as a concert-artiste. Endowed with a charming stage-personality, pleasing "mukha-vilas", and a melodious, widely-ranged voice that can easily cover three octaves, Savita is a versatile artiste who can sing anything from a Khayal to a Kajri or a Poorbi Dhun with ease and emotion. A graduate from the B.H.U., an MA. in Music and a Sangeet-Alankar", Savita Devi who is a well-graded broadcaster of Vocal music and Sitar, is Head of the Department of Instrumental music in a College of the Delhi University. Although she has received years of training in Khayal from Pdt. Mani Prasad, a well-known vocalist of the Kirana gharana, her forte is the light classical form, and she has already earned a prominent place for herself as an exponent of the "Benares ang" light classical iwrieties.

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ravi Shankar 1968 'Ravi' (Raga Abhogi-Kanada & Tilak-Shyam)

Hi friends. Here is a nice US pressing of Ravi Shankar 1968. The record is in good condition and sounds pretty good on the transfer - nice and clear. I have almost all of Ravi Shankar's LP's - on account of being a huge fan... there's just something comforting in his style that I'm drawn to and haven't been able to find elsewhere. I'm planning to post a few more in the future. Enjoy!

Label: Capitol Records ‎– ST 10504

Tracks:
A - Raga Abhogi-Kanada
B - Raga Tilak-Shyam

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Kalyani Roy 1986 'The Virtuoso Of Sitar Vol. II'

Here is the second volume of Kalyani Roy's 'The Virtuoso of Sitar', a lovely Japanese release and pressing from what we believe 1986. From the information in the rare CD release it appears these recordings were made over a decade beforehand on September 20, 1974. Very odd considering the recording quality is so good - but maybe it turned out for the better because the technology was far more advanced when it finally got onto CD and Vinyl.

Label: Denon ‎– ZX-7019-ND

Tracks:
A - Raga Yaman
B1 - Raga Yaman (Gat II)
B2 - Bhatiali (Boatsong Of Bengal)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Kalyani Roy ~1986 'The Virtuoso Of Sitar Vol. I'

Here is a lovely Japanese release and pressing of Kalyani Roy. There is not a lot of recorded work by this artist, but the two volumes by Denon are very nice. I'll be posting Volume II next. The release year is unknown, but I'm guessing it is about 1986, as there was a CD released in this year containing tracks from both volumes. The CD is however harder to obtain than the LP and also does not include the first track of this Volume - Raga Todi. Considering the pressing is so good, the CD and LP would be fairly comparable in quality anyway. On tabla Manick Das! Please feel free to comment with facts and trivia about Kalyani Roy.

Label: Denon ‎– ZX-7018-ND

Tracks:
A - Raga Todi
B1 - Raga Durga
B2 - Raga Mishra Kamaj

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1973 'Bangla Desh'

Hey friends, another beautiful recording of Ali Akbar Khan on the Connoisseur Society label. This was posted on the flatblackclassical blog a while ago, but I thought I would post my copy as well. I was lucky enough to find this in my local shop. There aren't many copies available so very lucky. The second track was re-released on the AMMP Signature Series Volumes - but not the first track... which seems a bit strange. Anyway - enjoy!

Label: Connoisseur Society ‎– CS 2042

Tracks:
A - Raga Bhim Palashree
B - Raga Misra Shivaranjani

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Arvind Parikh 1969 'Music of India - Sitar Recital'

Here is a 1969 LP of Arvind Parikh, I think this is his first LP. The LP is in great condition, however I think the quality of the recording is not great. I have copied some of the liner notes below. I have listened to Arvind Parikh in the past, there are a few CDs and digital recordings, however I'm not fully knowledgeable, apart from that he was an early student of Ustad Vilayat Khan.

Label: Regal ‎– S/ELRZ 9

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Kaunsi Kanada
B1 - Raga Jaijaiwanti
B2 - Raga Bhairvi

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LINER NOTES:

Arvind Parikh comes from Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat State, India. He does not have a musical lineage. The environment at home, however, was happily congenial to his interest in music. His grandfather, a local education officer, was a sitarist by inclination. But it was Arvind's mother, herself a noted painter of her time, who wholly influenced the development of his musical personality:
Endowed with a sensitive ear and an even more sensitive power of observation, Arvind showed his weakness for music even as a child of 7. He first toyed with the dilruba, a bow instrument, and soon showed astounding precision in handling it. Equally keen was his curiosity for other instruments as well, so that by the time he was 14, he acquired a winsome command over the violin, the flute, the mandolin, the jalatarang and, finally, the sitar.

Meeting the Master Then came his first meeting with the world-famous sitar-wizard, Vilayat Khan. This was in Bombay, in 1943, and it marked the beginning of an eventful career for the youngster. Vilayat Khan found in Arvind a pupil of talent and imagination prepared to pursue his art with diligence and determination. The receptive pupil soon caught from his master the rich strains of traditional music and wove them into a style of his own. It was also characteristic of the budding sitarist that his absorption in music did not come in the way of his brilliant academic career. In fact, the most intensive phase of his training under Vilayat Khan synchronised with an equally arduous period of his scholastic education. And he graduated in Economics with high honours!

Arvind Parikh made his debut as a sitarist of great promise at the All-India Music Conference in 1955. To his great guru, Vilayat Khan, this performance brought a sense of fulfilment. For, what the youngster played at the conference bore something much more than the impress of the master's genius. And it was not long before his recitals came to be in demand at major musical events all over the country. One shining feature of Vilayat Khan's teaching is the complete freedom he gives his disciples to develop their own style which is why Arvind's play strikes a distinctive note of individualism. His recitals reveal a neat balance between technical ability and practical skill. Pretence and showmanship are unknown to him and, unlike many contemporary impressionists, he does not embroil himself into a maze of technicalities! He prefers graceful curves to broad sweeps and he carries his music in a quiet stride in the slower pace and in a racy canter in the faster passages.

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1973 'Ahir Bhairav & Durgeshwari'

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If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a huge Ali Akbar Khan fan... and for good reason! I don't understand why so many of his recordings weren't remastered and re-released on CD. This LP was released in India in 1972. A beautiful and peaceful rendering of Ahir Bhairav - a raga which I first fell in love with from hearing the song 'Albela sajan' from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and also rendered nicely by Rashid Khan... and many others... Anyway!

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1391

Tracks:
A - Raga Ahir Bhairav (Alap & Gat Madhyalaya - Teental)
B - Raga Durgeshwari (Gat - Vilambit & Drut - Teental)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

M. Nageswara Rao ‎1969 'The Pulse Of Tanam'

Hi friends. This is a South Indian Carnatic LP from 1969 with Nageswara Rao on Veena. It's quite easy to find a copy of this vinyl to buy online, however I don't think it has been digitised. It's actually a really funky and good quality recording. Despite the tattered cover of my version here that I found in the dark crevices of a crammed used vinyl store, the LP is still in good shape. Looks like it even survived a public school library from decades ago...! Enjoy.

Label: Nonesuch ‎– H-72032

Tracks:
A - Ragas Nata (10.35), Goula (4.45)
B - Ragas Arabhi (4.02), Varali (3.32), Sri (7.25)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Shivkumar Sharma, Zakir Hussain 1979 'Kirwani'

Here is a 1979 Indian release of Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain. I think there are digital versions floating around... the one I found was really bad. The LP I have is in very good condition, however the recording quality is not the best, noting it is live and can hear some audience noise too. Still enjoyable though!

Label: The Gramophone Company Of India Ltd. ‎– ECSD 2830

Tracks:
A - Raga Kirwani (Alap, Jor, Jhala)
B - Raga Kirwani (Gat in Teental)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Vilayat Khan 1979 'The Brilliance Of Sound'

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This is a 1979 Indian release by Ustad Vilayat Khan. I think this LP was never digitised or re-released on CD. Ustad Vilayat Khan is quite an interesting character. He was determined personally to become one of the best sitarists in history, leaving a legacy behind. To a large extent this has been accomplished. There are many many disciples of his school. He also made several modifications to the sitar - creating what is known as the Vilayat Khan style of sitar. Effectively he sacrifices some of the range of his instrument for better performance and more flexibility with meend and ornamentation - as he was focused on melodic expression of raga. Vilayat Khan was originally trained in a vocal tradition 'Gayaki Ang' and therefore is well know for adopting this style on sitar.

Note: I'm not sure why the tone falls gradually towards the end of side A and the opposite effect on Side B. This seems to be a fault in the actual recording - either in the original tapes or master cutting process.

His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 2828

Tracks:
A1 Raga Ghara
B1 Sindhi Bhairavi
B2 Punjabi Dhun

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Budhaditya Mukherjee 1983 'Sitar'

Hi friends, here is a 1983 LP by Budhaditya Mukherjee. I think this LP is fairly rare and I'm not sure if it was ever digitised or not... On tabla the great Anindo Chatterjee - who happens to be my tabla teacher's Guru. Unfortunately the actual recording here sounds a bit thin and twangy, almost like a guitar amp and slight distortion? No idea what talented engineers were working for EMI at the time!! Haha, anyway hope you enjoy!

Label: EMI ‎– ECSD 41534

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Lalit (Alap & Gat In Teental)
B1 - Raga Sahana (Gat In Teental)
B2 - Raga Pilu (In Thumri Style, Gat In Teental)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Amjad Ali Khan 1976 'Raga Shree'

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This LP was released in India in 1976. This is a nice rendition, with Amjad taking the time to fill the whole LP with an extended performance. Side A is a full Alap with the Gat starting on side B. As for the cover art - Amjad's other LPs which I will be posting have done much better... I find it funny they went for the double chin shot :-P

Label: EMI - EALP 2542 & His Master's Voice - ECSD 2542

Tracks:
A - Raga Shree - Alap, Jod, Jhala
B - Raga Shree - Gat Jhaptal & Trital

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1969 'Shree Rag'

Here is a nice copy of AAK's 1969 Shree Rag. Like always, a great quality recording by Connoisseur Society. Some selected words from the back cover notes:

The Shree Rag is of late afternoon, intended to be played in the brief, fragile time between sunset and the end of twilight. The characteristics of the Shree Rag are devotion, peace, and heroism. The scale of the Shree Rag is complex. The note "re" — equivalent to the D of a C Major scale — uses all three flatted micro-tones. In Western practice, one would go from D to D-flat, but here there are three gradations between the two notes. In this rag, the note "Dha" is doubly flatted, and the note "Ma" uses two sharp micro-tones. The recording was made in St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University and is regarded by All Akbar Khan as having the best sound yet of any of his recordings. The performance here by Ali Akbar Khan and Shankar Ghosh.

Label: Connoisseur Society CS-2015

Tracks:
A - Shree Rag - Alap In Two Parts And Gat (Beginning)
B - Shree Rag - Gat (Conclusion)

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Budhaditya Mukherjee 1982 'Enchanting Hour...'

Here is a rare 1982 Budhaditya Mukherjee LP. The vinyl is in great shape and sounds pretty clean. I'm not sure why EMI put an hour of recording on one LP... On vinyl, the quality diminishes the closer the stylus goes towards the middle of the LP, because the same amount of information is being squashed into a smaller space... I often ponder over how Indian music is actually completely not suited to LP - which prefers loud music at the start and quiet music at the end, however Indian Classical performances are the complete opposite - starting with quiet intimate Alap and growing with intensity towards a climax at the end. This usually isn't a problem when the recording is kept to around 16-17 minutes but 30 minutes per side is really uncommon. Anyway, enough of my analysis - a nice LP - enjoy!!! Feel free to join in discussion or musings about Budhaditya.

Label: EMI ‎– G/ECSD 41506

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Yaman Kalyan
B1 - Raga Bhopali
B2 - Raga Tilak Kamod

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1982 'The Soul Of The Sarod'

Here is a 1982 LP of AAK. A nice listen - fairly clean recording. I'm not a huge fan of the standard practise throughout the LP era of separating the Tabla on the left channel and the Sarod or other instrument on the right... On this LP - separation has been done on side A, but Side B is centred? To add some consistency I've centred the Sarod more on Side A (on the cleaned version), which I think sounds a lot better.

Label: Oriental Records ‎– BGRP 1041

Tracks:
A - Rag Lalit
B - Tilak Kamod With Ragmala

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Shivkumar Sharma, Zakir Hussain 1982 '...When Time Stood Still!'

Hi friends. Here is another treat from Shivkumar Sharma, this is a hard to find double LP from a live performance in Bombay 1981. The quality is very good. I know half of this recording is available in digital format on Saregama's site as part of Shivkumar Sharma 'the Complete Works'... But here is the full thing! The back cover and inner gatefold pics aren't so great because they are super reflective... I've only edited the front picture to get the reflections away. What a great opportunity it is to have an extended recording of one Raga!

Label: EMI S/EMGE 12508/9

Tracks:
A - Kaunsi Kanhra (Alap, Jod)
B - Kaunsi Kanhra (Jod, Jhala, Gat in Roopak)
C - Kaunsi Kanhra (Gat in Madhyalaya & Drut Tritaal)
D - Mishra Kafi Dhun and Ragamala

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Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Shivkumar Sharma 1967 'Shivkumar Sharma'

Here is a very rare LP - Shivkumar Sharma's first from 1967. I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this in my local store for $30. It's still in pretty good shape, but there is wear, lots of crackles and surface noise. This was released as a special edition on CD by Saregama, however the CD is not so easy to get a hold of and I don't know the quality. There is a fairly good digital version of side A on Saregama as part of 'Shivkumar Sharma's Complete Works' (IF you can find it - many of the names aren't labelled adequately, aren't in order and don't refer to the original release album...).

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECLP 2346

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Lalit (Gat in Jhaptal &Teental)
A2 - Dhun in Bhairavi (Keherwa)
B1 - Raga Kalawati (Gat in Teental)
B2 - Dhun in Pahadi

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FLAC cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Kartick Kumar 1978 'Ritu Samhaar (Thirty-One Sitar Concerto)'

Here is a 1979 Japanese pressing of Kartick Kumar's 1978 LP featuring an orchestra of 31 sitars. Quite an interesting sound - it's quite rare to have so many sitars playing together. There is an LP by Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan from 1968 'Sitar Quintet' which I enjoyed a lot. The recording is pretty clean. A nice LP! Sorry I forgot all my high school Japanese so can't do any translation!

Label: Philips ‎– 6405 642

Tracks:
A1 - Grishma (Summer)
A2 - Varsha (Monsoon)
A3 - Sharad (Post-Monsoon)
B1 - Hemant (Autumn)
B2 - Shishir (Winter)
B3 - Vasant (Spring)

FLAC unaltered

FLAC cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1982 'Halfmoon'

Here is a 1982 live recording of AAK. The recording pretty good quality. I know that Malashri is rarely performed (because it's only three notes...) I'm not going to pretend I wouldn't have rather heard side B as Chhayanat extended in Gat - however I did enjoy hearing something unique (AAK trying to make a tri-chord sexy for 25 minutes...).

Label: Metalanguage ‎– ML 122

Tracks:
A - Rag Chhayanat (Alap)
B - Rag Malashri (Gat)

FLAC unaltered

FLAC cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1965 'Raga Miyan Ki Todi, Raga Zilla-Kafi'

Here is a 1965 pressing of Ali Akbar Khan. Like the other LPs released around this time, the recording isn't great... The quieter sounds seems to cut off like a bad filter. I have heard the digital version on Saregama, but like usual, the LP sounds much better. The vinyl looks new, so maybe the original recording and/or the pressings weren't manufactured well. But still definitely worth a listen! I love this cover art as well.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1290

Tracks:
A - Raga Miyan Ki Todi
B - Raga Zilla-Kafi

FLAC unaltered

FLAC cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Imrat Khan ‎1972 'At The Playhouse - Recorded Live 19th June 1972'

Hi friends. I've been concentrating recently on re-transferring all my original posts from January to provide you with 16/48 WAVs and great sounding cleaned files. So here is something new! A special treat for Imrat Khan fans. I haven't been able to locate any digital copies of this or any CD releases. This LP was released in the UK. The recording was done in the Playhouse, it's not too shabby, just a bit quiet. I amplified some of the speaking at the start of track one and three.

Label: Merseyside Arts Association ‎– MAA 1

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Jhinjhoti
B1 - Raga Malkauns
B2 - Raga Bhopali

FLAC unaltered

FLAC cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as FLAC, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1966 'Raga Durga, Dhun in Khamaj'

[Re-post and Re-transfer with WAVs]

This vinyl was released in India in 1966 in Stereo. It was also pressed in the UK under the 'Music of India Series no. 5. The version I have is the UK pressing that I acquired this year. I like the original LP cover, which is fully white and has the same picture of Ali Akbar - but I prefer purchasing original US/UK pressings over Indian pressings if available, as I find they are usually a better quality. The Music of India Series itself is interesting and features several popular names such as Ravi Shankar / Bismillah Khan and Vilayat Khan. I have heard a digital version of this LP from Saregama, but it was pretty bad... no surprise. Both these ragas have a major sounding (happy) tonality. Enjoy!

Label: His Master's Voice ‎- EASD 1310 (India) / ASD 2367 (UK) & Odeon - SMOAE 141

Tracks:
A - Raga Durga
B - Dhun In Khamaj

WAV unaltered 16/48

WAV cleaned 16/48

MP3 cleaned 320kbps

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV 16/48, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.

Ali Akbar Khan 1967 'Pre-Dawn To Sunrise Ragas'

[Re-post and Re-transfer with WAVs]

Here is another great recording of the Sarod Master Ali Akbar Khan. This LP was released in the USA in 1967. Connoisseur Society released many Ali Akbar Khan LPs throughout the 60s and 70s and all of them are wonderful. Fortunately several of Connoisseur Society's recordings were remastered in the 90s and re-released on CD as the 'Signature Series Vol 1-5'. This LP album was not however on these volumes. This LP in my collection is the Japanese pressing on the Philips label. I try to by Japanese pressings whenever I can because of the reputation for high quality.

Label: Connoisseur Society - CS 1967 (this version: Philips - SFX-7676)

Tracks:
A - Raga Bairagi 20:32
B - Raga Aheer Bhairow 21:13

WAV unaltered 16/48

WAV cleaned 16/48

MP3 cleaned 320kbps

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered (apart from track separation/info tags) as WAV 16/48, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.