Rare Amjad Ali Khan 1974 'Ustad Amjad Ali Khan'

I posted this in January, but only offered the MP3. I have re-digitised this LP and also spent quite a while restoring the cover on the computer, which was pretty beat up. Record is in fairly good shape but some surface noise. This is a rare LP released in India in 1974. I searched a while for a copy of this in decent condition. To my knowledge it was never re-released in a digital format or CD. I have heard a copy online, however it was not downloadable and the quality wasn't great. I hope you enjoy!

Label: His Master's Voice - EASD 1405

Tracks:
A - Raga Rageshwari - Aochar, Madhya And Drut Gat In Teen Taal
B1 - Raga Kirwani - Aochar & Gat In Rupak Taal
B2 - Bihari - Drut Gat In Teen Taal

FLAC unaltered

FLAC cleaned

MP3 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 16 Highest Level 8, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC Highest Level 8 and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Ram Narayan 1970 'Sarangi Recital'

Here is a rare 1970 Indian release of Ram Narayan. These solo Sarangi performances are unique in that the instrument has mainly been sidelined to accompanist status for Vocalists etc. - similar to Harmonium. I find the sound of Sarangi and Dilruba (Ram's father Pt. Nathuji Biawat was an accomplished Dilruba player) hauntingly beautiful. In fact I think I heard a dilruba in a soundtrack for a few minutes in a movie (along with Tabla) when I was a child - which I think was the seed to my interest in India / Indian Instruments much much later.

An interesting fact I was unaware of - Ram Narayan's brother was legendary Tabla maestro Chatur Lal. Chatur Lal was there at the beginning of the Indian Classical LP inception in the 50's accompanying the likes of Ali Akbar Khan. Some of you might be aware of Ali Akbar's first LP the 1955 'Music of India (Morning and Evening Ragas)'.

Back to this LP! On this album we have the evergreen Raga Yaman - a major sounding scale with a raised 4th. On side B we have Rishabh Asavari - an early morning melody creating a mood of pathos and separation.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1361

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Yaman (Teentaal)
A2 - Thumree (Raga Desh - Teentaal)
B1 - Raga Komal Rishabh Asavari (Jhaptaal)
B2 - Dhun (Rupak)

WAV 16/48 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 as WAV 16/48 as SIDE ONE and SIDE TWO, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported with tag names and info as FLAC and MP3 320kbps.

Jaya Bose & Himangshu Biswas ‎1968 'Sitar & Flute'

Hello Friends, as promised here is the other 1968 album by Jaya Bose (A.K.A Joya Biswas) with Himangshu Biswas on Bansuri (who also played on the LP I posted not long ago with Dulal Roy on Santoor). That's it! Short and sweet. Feel free to comment on the artists or the music - or anything music related :-)

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECLP 2372

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Alahia Bilaval (Alap, Jhalla and Gat in Teentaal)
B1 - Raga Desh (Gat In Dipchandi)
B2 - Bhatiali - Dhun

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 Sundaram Balachander 1970 'A Homage...'

Here is a 1970 release of S. Balachander on the King of string instruments the 'Been' or 'Veena'. I am not very knowledgeable about South Indian (Carnatic Music), but I really enjoy listening to it. It is quite different to the North Indian Hindustani Classical that I mainly post. To me Carnatic melodic lines are more driving and ornamented (or in my own technical words... Wiggly!). I guess this is what give it the uniqueness and charm. I have a couple of other south Indian LPs I will dig out and post in the future.

Label: His Master's Voice ECSD 2443

Tracks:
A1 - Raagam Sankarabharanam
B1 - Raagam Shanmukhapriya

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

Hariprasad Chaurasia 1977 'Thumriyan Vol. II'

Here is another lovely flute LP by Hariprasad Chaurasia 1977. Unfortunately there is an ugly sticker on the cover! I got annoyed with it only after I had packaged everything up in ZIPs.. and did a basic cover up in Paint. You can copy the picture from below.

"Thumri can be described as the final phase of the chequered evolution of Hindustani music which began with the massive, dignified dhrupad and dhamar, followed by the ornate, inventive khayal and lilting, racy tappa. Distinctly erotic or devotional in content, it originated from the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh and eventually branched off into two different traditions of Lucknow and Benaras. Although thumri has broadly evolved as a vocal form, many instrumental masters of initiative and vision have successfully given a new elan to its niceties and beauties by their sheer originality and virtuosity".

Label: EMI ‎– ECSD 2781

Tracks:
A1 - Thumri Mishra Khamaj (Roopak Taal)
A2 - Thumri Pilu (Dadra Taal)
B1 - Thumri Pahadi (Kaharwa Taal)
B2 - Thumri Bhairvin (Roopak Taal)

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 16 Highest Level 8, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC Highest Level 8 and MP3 320kbps.

Drums of North & South India 1967

This is a live recording of some drum masters released in 1967. I found this LP in a local shop a few weeks ago, it was pretty beat up, so sorry for that, but it plays pretty good considering. I like these thick 60's pressings, they are so much more sturdy than the slim flimsy pressings that started being made in the 70's on-wards. I am learning tabla myself so I enjoy the opportunity to listen to Tabla and other drum solo performances. It's probably not every ones cup of tea to listen to solely percussion, but I think this is an important historical recording.

By the way - I was listening to an awesome Mridangam solo on the great Darbar Festival Channel on YouTube - worth having a listen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hQHRCNwzBc) - what a unique and groovy sound! There is great range of HD videos on this channel updated regularly - I strongly recommend it to any fellow Indian Classical lovers.

Label: World Pacific ‎– WP-1437 (Mono)

Tracks:
A1 - Allarakha - Tala Sawarib (11 Matras) with intro by Ravi Shankar
A2 - Chatur Lal - Ek Taal (12 Matras)
B1 - Ramabhadran & Sivaraman - Variations In Khanda Chapu Tala (5 Matras)
B2 - Kanai Dutta - Jhap Tal (10 Matras)
B3 - Kanai Dutta - Teen Tal

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

Rare Prabha Atre 1971 'Prabha Atre'

Here is a lovely 1971 vocal release. I think this may be one of Prabha Atre's only vinlys? I love the delightful first track on B1... I'm pretty sure I had the pleasure of hearing this live two weeks ago by a visiting singer from India performing in Melbourne. Talk about coincidence! I never heard this LP before a few days ago.

"University educated Prabha Atre has opted for a career in vocal music. And rightly so, because, amongst the younger set of the present day veterans, she ranks very high. Gifted with a very sweet and melodious voice, she had the good fortune of being groomed at the hands of Hirabai Barodekar and her talented brother, the late Suresh Babu Mane. Added to the awareness of innate musicality of the Kirana School she displays a rare melange of originality, virtuosity, ingenuity and craftsmanship which mark her recitals and put her in a class by herself. Her khayal singing is particularly striking for its creative revelations and is punctuated with richly decorated alaps, gliding 'sargams' and the vibrant yet intricate and picturesque taans that present to listeners a very pleasing and euphonious picture of the raga. In thumri, she conceives tender, lyrical ideas with such lavity and richness that one feels her creative resources are inexhaustible".

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 2490

Tracks:
A1 - Kal Nahin Aaye - Raga Marubihag,Vilambit - Ek Taal
B1 - Tan Man Dhan Tope Varun - Raga Kalavati - Ek Taal
B2 - Kaun Gali Gayo Shyam - Thumri Mishra Khamaj - Taal Deepchandi

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 16 Highest Level 8, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -1.5db in Audacity and exported as FLAC Highest Level 8 and MP3 320kbps.

Rare Joya Biswas (Jaya Bose) 1975 'Sitar'

Here is a 1975 release of Joya Biswas (also known as Jaya Bose). This is to my knowledge one of Joya's only LP releases. The other one is an earlier 1968 release under the name of Jaya Bose with Himangshu Biswas on Flute (I think they aren't related - maybe the reason for her different name on this one?) - which I will also be posting in the future. I don't know of any other recordings, but I have seen in Apple Music a 2016 re-release of a 1983 recording. This 1975 LP is a surprisingly good recording, so it's a shame that there aren't more copies around. This one was in great condition, but there is a little bit of distortion on the sitar in places, but still a nice overall result on the transfer... 

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1406

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Jayajawanti (Alap, Jod, Gat in Rupak & Fast Teen Taal)
B1 - Raga Piloo (Alap, Jod, Gat in Medium Dadra & Fast Teen Taal)

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

The Indo-British Ensemble 1969 'Curried Jazz'

Hi Friends. This is a fusion 'Indo-Jazz' recording from 1969. It was released in the UK and Australia and is one of my favourite Indo-Jazz recordings. It isn't too hard to find a used copy, however it was not widely re-released (apart from a CD version on Amazon which is stupidly over-priced at $87USD - what the...) There weren't many of these types of Indo-Jazz experiments released other than the few well known recordings by 'The Joe Harriott Double Quintet'. I really wish this particular group had have done some more releases, but if you are going to only release one Indian Jazz fusion LP, you would want it to be awesome, and thank Saraswati it was! My copy was a bit crackly on the second side - but still a nice overall result with a light clean up.

Label: MFPA 8124

Tracks:
A1 - Yaman (The Colonel's Lady)
A2 - Lalit (Meeting Of The Twain)
B1 - Bhimpalazi (Looking Eastward To The Blues)
B2 - Pahari (University Raga)

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered as 'Side One' and 'Side Two'. 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.

Rare Dulal Roy & Himangshu Biswas ‎1971 'Jugalbandi'

Here is a 1971 release of Dulal Roy on Santoor and Himangshu Biswas on Bansuri. There is also another 1968 LP of these two musicians doing another Jugalbandi, with Dulal Ji playing Jaltarang (pitched bowls). This other release is also a rare LP, but available to purchase on Saregama (Click Here). I think this LP however has not been re-released. This is a great treat, in that I haven't seen many other Duets with Santoor (except Shivkumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasia)...

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 2479

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Bhupali (Teentaal)
B1 - Raga Gujari Todi (Ektaal)
B2 - Dhun (Keharwa Taal)

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

Rare Hariprasad Chaurasia 1970 'Flute Recital'

Hi Friends. I have recently got hold of a bunch of rare LPs. First to post is this 1970 release of Hariprasad Chaurasia 'Flute Recital'. I was searching more than half a year for this to show up somewhere. I was surprised it was in good condition. Apart from the usual surface noises here and there, a really nice recording! This was Hariji's second solo LP release. The first one I posted not long ago.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 2459

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Prabhateshvari (Jhaptaal)
A2 - Raga Sindhu Bhairavi (Rupak Taal)
B1 - Raga Chandrakauns (Teentaal)
B2 - Dadra In Misra Khamaj

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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 1974 'Raga Alamgiri & Raga Jogiya-Kalengra'

Here is a 1974 release by Ali Akbar Khan. The cover, I believe, is supposed to be in colour, however mine is in black and white? I have no idea why, but never mind. It kind of feels like a special edition haha... The record is in pretty good condition so some good results. Raga Alamgiri is Ali Akbar Khan's own creation named after his father and Guru Allauddin Khan.

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– EASD 1407

Tracks:
A - Raga Alamgiri (Vilambit & Drut Gat - Teentaal)
B - Raga Jogiya-Kalengra (Vilambat Gat - Teentaal)

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

Bhaskar 1977 'Dances And Chants Of India'

Like the name implies these are dances and chants. Quite interesting and a bit of a change from the usual classical performances normally posted.

"Bhaskar, born in Madras, India, began his professional career as a boxer at the age of 15, and climaxed his pugilistic efforts by winning the welterweight championship of Madras. Persuaded by several other experts of the dance to give up boxing and begin the study of dance, he became a first rate dancer in a very short time. He studied with the most famous teachers in India, including G. Ellappa, whose other most prominent pupil was Uday Shankar. While performing as a dancer, Bhaskar attracted the attention of movie producers and became a movie and stage actor in India.

Soon he was one of the most sought after choreographers in his native land, both for films and the stage. In 1952 he was decorated by Prime Minister Nehru for his contributions to Indian theatre. He toured India with his company of dancers and musicians and was invited by the Governor of Ceylon to perform before Her Majesty, the Queen of England, when she visited there. Bhaskar was brought to this country by Max Liebman for an acting and dancing role in the TV spectacular ,"MARCO POLO," later appearing in many other television shows. He has danced with great success—alone and with his company—on -New York concert stages, at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Chicago International Fair, Radio City Music Hall and at numerous universities and concert halls throughout the United States.

Bhaskar appeared on Broadway in "CALIGUALA" and then In the musical "CHRISTINE," which starred Maureen O'Hara. The critics unanimously praised him as the most unusual and exciting performer in the production. Bhaskar returned to New York from his extended tour of South America and South Africa for the premiere of his film, "Creation of Women," which was nominated for an Academy Award. Following the film premiere, he appeared at the Adelaide Arts Festival in Australia with Yehudl Menuhin and the London Philhar-monic Orchestra. He has since appeared in London on the West End in the play "THE KINDLY MONKEYS" and has just completed a movie called "INSTANT LOVE" starring Rossano Brazzi and Rhonda Fleming, to be released shortly."

Label: Request Records (2) ‎– SRLP 10095

Tracks:
A1 - Surya Nirham Or The Dance Of The Rising Sun
A2 - Naga Nirtham Or The Dance Of The King Cobra
A3 - Natanam Adinar: Literally Means "He Danced"
A4 - Pooja - The Dance Of Invocation
B1 - Thala Nirtham Or The Disc Dance
B2 - Dance Of The Hunter
B3 - Allaripu
B4 - Thillana
B5 - Krishna Ni Beganu Baru

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 cleaned

MP3 320kbps cleaned

Digitised with: Project Essential II Turntable, Ortofon Red Stylus, recorded as WAV 16/48 in Audacity and saved unaltered as side A and B in WAV 16/48, and then separately edited with: Clickrepair (low settings) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -2.0db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.

Rais Khan Rare 1968 'Khansahib Rais Khan'

Here is Rais Khan's first LP from 1968. I think it has been re-released in various forms but probably not a good quality. Whilst there was a fair bit of surface noise on this vinyl it's still quite enjoyable after a little bit of light post cleaning. I though the info on the back cover was pretty interesting, so will copy it here also.

"Born in 1940 at Indore, Rais Khan is perhaps the youngest to occupy the rank of stalwarts in the art of sitar-playing. His father, Ustad Mohammad Khan, himself an accomplished sitar and been (veena) player, initiated him into the art at the tender age of two. A toy sitar made of a coconut shell fascinated the child and this was the beginning. The progress of the child was surprising and, at his debut in a concert hall, at the age of five, he was hailed as a child prodigy by a distinguished audience presided over by the wife of the then Governor of Bombay. Since then it has been an onward march towards greater progress and at twenty-seven today, Rais Khan is acclaimed as a sitar-wizard. This success has been achieved by him after several years of intensive training, perseverance and an overwhelming desire to carve out a niche for himself in the domain of Indian classical music. And he has done It! The ragas Todi and Kedara with which Ustad Mohammad Khan initiated his son into the art were practiced by Rais Khan for over ten years until he mastered them to the satisfaction of his father."

"Side II of this disc opens with the raga "Todi". Rais Khan has a very rich heritage both from the paternal and maternal sides which probably explains his extraordinary proficiency at such an early age. From the father's side his lineage can be traced to such musical luminaries as Ustad Haddu Khan, Ustad Hassu Khan, Ustad Nathu Khan, Ustad Baboo Khan of Indore, Ustad Rajabali Khan of Dewas and Ustad Murad Khan, who in his days was known as a maestro on the been. On the mother's side maestro Vilayat Khan is the real maternal uncle of the young artist. No wonder Rais Khan has risen so fast and has dazzled and baffled music critics and music lovers all over the country by his remarkable proficiency. One perceives in his style a predominance of the "Gayaki Ang' (way of singing). All the gimmicks a vocalist is capable of producing are at the finger-tips of Rais Khan. It will not be an exaggeration to say that in his hands, the sitar sings in the style of an accomplished vocalist."

"He has toured extensively all over India and has performed in the Western and Eastern countries of the world as well, as a member of cultural delegations sent to these countries by the Government of India. In a grand conference of musicians from all over the globe, at Warsaw, in 1955, Rais Khan was adjudged the best instrumentalist from among the Indian group. Out of one hundred and eleven instrumentalists, only six were awarded gold medals. And Rais Khan was one of them. He has thus won a large number of admirers in foreign countries as well as in India. His frequent appearances at the various stations of All India Radio and in the music conferences are eagerly looked forward to by his fans. This first Long Play disc of Rais Khan is sure to establish him as a disc-artist of top calibre and since he has a very long and bright future, we are hoping to bring to you successive recordings by him to provide listeners with first-class entertainment. The tabla accompaniment by Ustad Basheer Ahmed Khan deserves a special mention for the very able support given to the artist."

Label: His Master's Voice ‎– ECLP-2359

Tracks:
A - Raga Jhinjhoti
B1 - Raga Todi
B2 - Lokpriya Dhun

WAV 16/48 unaltered

WAV 16/48 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 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.

Shamim Ahmed & Zakir Hussain 1981 'Classical Instrumental - Sitar & Tabla'

Here is a 1981 release of Shamim Ahmed Khan with the famous young Zakir Hussain. This LP has probably been posted before, but let's celebrate again! I have one more Shamim Ahmed LP I am planning to post, which is a rare Polydor 1973 release.

Label:  ‎Music India Ltd. ‎– 2392 968

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Jaijaiwanti (Alap, Jod, Gat In Tritaal)
B1 - Raga Hindol (Gat In Roopak Taal)
B2 - Mishra Mand (Dadra Taal)

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 -1.0db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.

Shamim Ahmed 1979 'Soulful Melodies On Sitar'

Here is a 1979 release of Shamim Ahmed Khan. This was posted on Oriental Traditional Music back in 2012...the year Shamim Ahmed passed away. I thought it would be nice to have a refresh and I have posted my transfer in the spirit of keeping the artist and his music alive.

A nice rendition of Ahir Bhairav that I recognised straight away before before checking the cover to see if I was right. I'm not great at guessing ragas from just listening but Ahir Bhairav is one of those iconic ones that stick out.

Label:  ‎Philips ‎– 6405 644

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Ahir Bhairav (Alap and Gat in Roopak Taal)
A2 - Dhun Mishra Kamaj (Dadra Taal)
B1 - Raga Desh (Alap, Jor, Jhalla and Gat in Teentaal)

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 -1.0db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.

Kartick Kumar Rare 1970 'Sitar'

I was fortunate enough to find two copies of this rare Polydor release of Kartick Kumar - but not fortunate enough that they play particularly well. They both have a lot of surface noise... anyway because it's a rare LP, I thought to share it anyway until someone else (ever) shares a better copy...

Kartick was one of Ravi Shankar's senior students. He didn't produce a lot of LPs but his first two with Deutsche Grammophon and Heliodor are fairly accessible and worth a listen. Later works are also very good. For anyone who hasn't listened to his son Niladri Kumar, definitely worth some research. I really love Niladri's style - a really gifted musician who can express a lot of emotion through sitar. There a quite a few good videos on YouTube as well.

Label:  ‎Polydor ‎– 2392 811

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Hemant (Roopak Taal)
B1 - Raga Des (Teen Taal - Vilambit & Drut)
B2 - Thumri - Raga Mihra Pilu

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.

Hariprasad Chaurasia 1973 'Down Melody Lane'

Here is a 1973 Indian release of Hariprasad's third solo LP. This one had a lot of surface noise, so took a lot of care in preparing the cleaned version. I try to use the lowest settings possible when running through declick/decrackle. I am waiting on Hariprasad's second LP released in 1970, which is quite rare... I'm looking forward to receiving it and praying it's in good condition. I'll share it when it comes.

Label:  ‎His Master's Voice ‎– ECSD 2733

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Gujri Todi
B1 - Raga Bageshwari
B2 - Raga Mishra Piloo

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.

Hariprasad Chaurasia 1968 'Music Of India - Flute Recital'

This is Hariprasad Chaurasia's first LP released in 1968. This was re-released on CD in a small series of 'First LPs' by Saregama in 2005, however they are hard to find and often crazy priced online. I also don't know the quality, but it probably isn't so bad. This performance is really quite delightful and lively, even in the early days one can hear the great musicianship of the Bansuri Master. They didn't have access to all the standard effects that we use today like reverb etc. So it's nice to hear a clean performance - as it would have sounded sitting in a room with the musicians having a jam...

Label:  ‎His Master's Voice – ECSD 2388 & Odeon S-MOCE 1152

Tracks:
A1 - Raga Marwa (Vilambit Ektaal, Drut Teentaal)
B1 - Raga Des (Rupak Taal)
B2 - Raga Mishra Pilu (Teentaal)

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 setting) then slight reduction on surface noise + normalised to -2.0db in Audacity and exported as WAV 16/48 and MP3 320kbps.