Selimi Mesok Skiptar efendi Bestekâr Hafize -- "Dembe Katarose" b/w "Victori tu befi ninya" 78 RPM 10"

Original 1928? German release on Homokord (GERMANY) (catalog # T.4-28165, matrix #s H-C113T & H-C114T in run-out grooves; T.C. 113 & T.C. 114 on labels). There's a February 1928 date (24-2-28) etched into both labels, along with a variation of the matrix numbers.

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Impossibly rare 1920's Albanian folk music 78 on the German Homokord label. This is truly one of the most remarkable recordings I have ever come across. The A-side has such wild and intense female vocals, with one singer wailing and others singing against her to create a sublime crosstalk cacophony over a base drone. And then the screaming reed instruments kick in and all polyphonic hell breaks loose in a transcendental chaos worthy of any 60s avant-garde free-jazz release on ESP-Disk or a stoned Sun City Girls record... Incredible.

Please note: this mp3 recording is provided only to give a sense of the music on this 78, but it is NOT an accurate representation of the sound quality of this disc. This recording has far more background noise on it than it should, for two reasons: I made this recording on a standard system using a stereo cartridge, and the disc is quite dirty and I did not attempt to clean it with anything stronger than distilled water. I am not a 78 collector or expert, and will leave the cleaning of this disc to someone who knows more about cleaning shellac. A 78 collector who cleans this record and plays it with a proper stylus is certain to achieve MUCH higher sound quality than the recording offered here. Even so, enjoy:

Download an mp3 of Selimi Mesok Skiptar Efendi Bestekâr Hafize -- Dembe Katarose and for more mp3s from obscure records check out the ampnoise aubio blog, and search ampnoise records eBay store for listings with mp3 downloads.ampmp3

CONDITION: G+   this 78 has a lot of playwear, a fair bit of scuffing and some light surface scratching but no deep scratches, no gouges or chips -- both sides play through with surface noise but no skips -- the 78 is also quite dirty, I have only used distilled water and a fine cloth to clean it, but it would still reallly benefit from a proper and thorough cleaning by a shellac collector, and the sound quality would surely improve; the labels are both excellent with light wear and the date/matrix # etchings.

Graded conservatively using Goldmine standards [G / G+ / VG / VG+ / NM / ]
grade only used if record is brand new.
Bid with confidence -- over 13000 positive feedbacks selling vinyl on eBay since 1998, with a total 12-year average of 100% positive.

Shipping And Payment Info

Within the US: Media Mail shipping is calculated automatically based on weight. NOTE: Media Mail can be S-L-O-W sometimes, especially to the West Coast. Media Mail delivery time is usually anywhere from 4 to 10 days, but occasionally it takes 2 weeks or even longer to reach the West Coast from here. Please consider this potential delay before you decide to go with Media Mail instead of Priority Mail.

Priority Mail is a highly recommended option for all vinyl, it's a lot faster and much more secure -- I double-box (and sometimes triple-box) all 78's shipped via Priority Mail. Cost is reasonable and calculated based on your zip code.

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Outside the US: Express Mail (EMS) is the only shipping option for this LP given its value -- please review my 12+ years of 13000+ positive feedbacks if you have any concerns, and contact me for more details.

Combine shipping with other items: If you want to add a normal-weight record (7", 12", or LP) or CD to your order the cost is reasonable, usually not more than $3.99 per extra item, often less, depending on total weight.

All records are packaged securely, protected by both stiff and cushion packaging, with vinyl (in original innersleeve) removed from cover and placed safely in poly sleeve to help prevent seam splitting during transit.

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