Bhimsen Joshi: Raga Bhairavi and Aabhogi (HMV 7EPE 1234) an EP recorded and released in India in 1961

Today we have an EP from the brilliant vocalist Bhimsen Joshi (1922-2011) with short pieces in ragas Bhairavi and Aabhogi. These were later collected, along with a few other pieces of about the same length, in a 1977 EMI LP entitled Evening and Morning Melodies (ECLP 2779).

An EP from Joshi from the following year can be found here at the wonderful Music Republic blog, together with an LP from 1961.

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica ATmono33

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 96kHz resolution using 32bit float

Software: Audacity, iZotope RX 10 Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC files (244 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (59 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (34 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Omkarnath Thakur: Raga Todi and Malkauns (Columbia 33ECX 3252) an LP released in India in 1964

Here is a 1964 album by Omkarnath Thakur (1897-1967) an exponent of the Gwalior gharana, a tradition which dates back to 1542. He sings pieces in ragas Todi, Desi Todi, Nilambari, Sughrai, and two in Malkauns.

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica ATmono33

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 96kHz resolution using 32bit float

Software: Audacity, iZotope RX 10 Elements, and xAct. 

24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC files (471 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (142 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (220 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Bismillah Khan and VG Jog: Jugalbandi (EALP 1279) an LP recorded and released in India in 1963

Both shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan and violin maestro VG Jog have been well-represented on this blog. Way back in February 2018 I shared a lovely 1968 jugalgandi (duet) LP from these two -- here is another one, from 1963.

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica ATmono33

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 96kHz resolution using 32bit float

Software: Audacity, ClickRepair, and xAct. 

24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC files (765 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (205 MB)

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

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (85 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Amjad Ali Khan: self-titled (EMI EALP 1316) an album recorded and released in India in 1967

 This was Amjad Ali Khan's first album, released in 1967, when he was 22 years old. The tabla is performed by Samta Prasad. 

Equipment used in this transfer: 

Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in clean water.

Turntable: Technics SL-1200

Cartridge: Audio-technica ATmono33

Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 96kHz resolution using 32bit float

Software: Audacity, ClickRepair, and xAct. 

24bit, 96kHz mono FLAC files (444 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz mono FLAC files (142 MB)

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

320 kbps dual mono mp3 files (220 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

GS Sachdev: Romantic Ragas (Chandi CP 104) a cassette recorded and issued in the US in 1982

Here we present a cassette by the bansuri maestro GS Sachdev released on his own Chandi Productions label in 1982.

Sachdev (1935-2018) was for many years an instructor at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA. His playing is characterized by a gentle, soulful style which never strays from a dignified atmosphere.

On tabla we have the great Jnan Prakash Ghosh (1909-1997).

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 (437 MB)

very high resolution lossless FLAC files

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (209 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (119 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible