Muslimgauze
Bryn Jones was not a practicing Muslim and never traveled to the Middle East. His recordings as Muslimgauze, however, qualified him as one of the Western artists most explicitly slanted in favor of the Palestinian liberation movement. Jones could have been a potentially controversial figure if his releases were available in anything except extremely limited editions—usually less than one thousand copies of each title. Despite their lack of prominence, Jones’s blend of found-sound Middle Eastern and South Asian atmospheres with heavily phased drones and colliding rhythm programs were among the most startling and unique in the noise and electronica underground. The Muslimgauze project ended tragically in 1999 when Jones died suddenly of a rare blood disease.
Bryn Jones was not a practicing Muslim and never traveled to the Middle East. His recordings as Muslimgauze, however, qualified him as one of the Western artists most explicitly slanted in favor of the Palestinian liberation movement. Jones could have been a potentially controversial figure if his releases were available in anything except extremely limited editions—usually less than one thousand copies of each title. Despite their lack of prominence, Jones’s blend of found-sound Middle Eastern and South Asian atmospheres with heavily phased drones and colliding rhythm programs were among the most startling and unique in the noise and electronica underground. The Muslimgauze project ended tragically in 1999 when Jones died suddenly of a rare blood disease.
Betrayal
*300 copies limited edition* »Betrayal« was originally released on CD by Staalplaat in 1993. »Betrayal« isn't that far removed from Veiled Sisters; while not as minimalist, if not repetitive, as that particular release, »Betrayal« relies on the same basic tools of gentle, steady electronic percussion and low-level bass and keyboard shadings. The most immediate changes lie with the various vocal samples on some of the tracks; while not immediately intelligible per se, you get scraps and hints fro…
Hammer & Sickle
Originally released in 1983, in the same year that the first two Muslimgauze LPs were released, Jones released an obscure 7inch ins a blank black sleeve on a label called Hessian. »Hammer & Sickle« is only release on the label ever – it might have been a camouflaged self-release. »Hammer & Sickle« operates in a similar territory as the mentioned LPs (but if anything a little further out from the main body of Jones’ work): They’re much spacier, more drifting, and notably less interested in using …
Veiled Sisters Remix
2024 stock. “Veiled Sisters” was first released by Soleilmoon as a double CD in 1993 (SOL 20 CD). Bryn Jones, AKA Muslimgauze, recorded a follow-up in 1996, in which he reworked and recycled the materials into another album. It was delivered to Soleilmoon more as an afterthought than something he intended us to issue. “Veiled Sisters Remix”, as the piece was called, was held back from release at Bryn’s request, with the reason being given generally that he wanted us to release something else t…
Uzi Mahmood
2024 stock. Bryn Jones died January 14, 1999. The man best known as Muslimgauze was 37 years old, and at the peak of his career. During his short life he recorded an astonishing number of albums, some 200 at last count, a great many of them in years immediately preceding his death. Indeed, his output was so great that his labels couldn’t keep up with the virtual flood of music he produced. It’s no wonder new material continues to surface so long after his passing. “Uzi Mahmood” was recorded to s…
Syrinjia
2024 stock. Syrinjia was first issued in 1998 as a limited edition of 850 vinyl LPs. It has been sold out since winter 2002. Bryn Jones (Muslimgauze) always intended for us to release it on compact disc after the vinyl edition was gone, and today we’re happy to announce the fulfillment of his dream with the release of “Syrinjia” as a double CD. Ever the prolific composer, he recorded 20 songs for the album, of which only the first nine were included on the LP, leaving the rest to be released at …
Speaker of Turkish
2024 stock. Speaker of Turkish is one of several albums recorded by Bryn Jones aka Muslimgauze in a final year-long burst of creativity that peaked in the spring of 1998, shortly before his sudden and unexpected death on January 14, 1999. Musically, “Speaker of Turkish” is comparable to “Your Mines in Kabul”, which was recorded just a few months before this album. Never one to waste space on a CD, Bryn committed 73 minutes of music to the master tape, and as with so many other of his recordings,…
Mazar-I-Sharif
2024 stock. “Mazar-i-Sharif” is to polite society what a dozen angry Rotweillers are to a cafe full of poodles: An explosion. The diamond collars scatter across the tiles and the fur turns red as the perfectly clipped poodle-butts are torn apart by a pack of rabid Jerry Springer Spaniels. Your politically correct end-of-the-century tea party is officially OVER, and anyone thinking Muslimgauze is about to make a calculated move to new age radio should call a taxi right now because the missiles ar…
Iran
2024 stock. Iran was the first Muslimgauze recording to be released on CD, and therefore occupies a special place in the hearts of Muslimgauze fans. The year was 1988, and Dutch label Staalplaat had recently been introduced to the music of Muslimgauze through their association with Soleilmoon. At the time, Staalplaat was known for their attractively presented cassette releases. “Iran” was their first CD release, and signaled the start of the label’s transition away from the cassette format. Sole…
Alms For Iraq
2024 stock. Bryn Jones, AKA Muslimgauze, recorded this album in December 1995, just three years before his early and unexpected death at the age of 38. In the last years of his life Bryn acquired as much of the latest technology for his home studio as he could lay his hands on, and the advances and developments in his music reflected his growing proficiency with his new equipment. “Alms for Iraq” therefore has many of the hallmark sounds of the late-era Muslimgauze recordings already released, w…
United States of Islam
United States Of Islam is the second part in a series of 4 outstanding double vinyl albums with bonus songs, previously released on CD between 1990 and 1994 on the Australian cult label Extreme Music. Armed with a cleverly provocative title, USoI showcases a moodier side of Muslimgauze. While the trademark blend of driving percussions and minimalism reigns supreme as always, the general feel is much more dreamy and mysterious than on some of Bryn Jones’ more forthright pieces.
The original track…
Kashmiri Queens
»Kashmiri Queens« – previously released as a limited CD – presents a more accessible side of Muslimgauze, featuring a faster tempo and fewer sonic overtones than his previous endeavors. The music's core is rooted in drone and raga samples complemented by a rich array of ethnic percussions. This 12inch stands out for its authenticity, allowing the sounds of tablas, sitars, and various ethnic wind instruments to flourish openly without being interrupted. There's a notable departure from the usual …
Intifaxa
*Deluxe cover, inner prints* Intifaxa is the first part in a series of 4 outstanding double vinyl albums with bonus songs, previously released on CD between 1990 and 1994 on the Australian cult label Extreme Music.
Intifaxa is full of heavy percussion fire with deep tribal grooves, embedded in modulated field recordings. The album is a transcendental journey into Eastern soundscapes and a secret weapon for DJs who enjoy to tear down the borders of tribal underground house and psychedelic trance …
Return To The City Of Djinn
* Double album housed in a wonderful sleeve designed by Oleg Galay. Including one 12'' color insert. High quality pressing * The second part of the famous collaboration between two UK based electronic pioneers: John Bolloten aka The Rootsman and Bryn Jones aka Muslimgauze. For this album the original The Rootsman material from his albums “Into The Light” and “52 Days to Timbuktu” was remixed and deconstructed by Muslimgauze. As always with Bryn Jones, all material is inspired by Arab culture.
We…
Emak Bakia
Limited Edition Picture Disc We have repeatedly surprised you with unusual releases that sound uncharacteristic for wellknown artists. Remember Merzbow with guitars, synth (almost said synth-pop) and drum machine? Well, Muslimgauze's turn came up. Emak Bakia – long out of print masterpieces from 1994. Even in the huge Bryn Jones' discography Emak Bakia really stands out of albums from the period due its rather unique (house-music related) sound and short, by the standards of Bryn Jones, tracks. …
Eye For An Eye
Gatefold sleeve, edition of 1000 copies , incl. download The relationship between Bryn Jones's music as Muslimgauze and the track/album titles he would provide (sometimes right on the tapes he would send in for release, but often determined later, sometimes even giving two different pieces months apart the same title, accidentally or not) has always been a little mysterious. Jones himself can no longer be asked, and as you continue to investigate the swathes of material he provided, you hit sou…
Martyr Shrapnel
*300 copies limited edition* Written, played, and recorded by Muslimgauze.Mastering by Yuriy Bulychev.Design by Zavoloka.Photography & production by Dmytro Fedorenko.
Shrapnel and destroyed machine-gun cartridge were kindly provided by Maryna Fedorenko and Georgiy Potopalsky.
Farouk Enjineer
Extremely intense Arabic dub noise music, designed to blow minds and loudspeakers. Remastered 2021 reissue with new artwork, originally released in 1997 on Soleilmoon. First time on vinyl!
Turn On Arabic American Radio
Gatefold sleeve, edition of 1000 copies , incl. download The relationship between Bryn Jones's music as Muslimgauze and the track/album titles he would provide (sometimes right on the tapes he would send in for release, but often determined later, sometimes even giving two different pieces months apart the same title, accidentally or not) has always been a little mysterious. Jones himself can no longer be asked, and as you continue to investigate the swathes of material he provided, you hit sou…
Lo-Fi India Abuse
*In process of stocking* It takes several different record labels just to release the incredible amount of material Bryn Jones recorded in his lifetime. This disc was recorded in 1998, some tracks are "pure" Muslimgauze and some are re-mixs of tracks from Systemwide's "Sirius" cd (see also Systemwide meets Muslimgauze "at the City of the Dead" 12"). Nearly all of the tracks have hand percussion in varying tempos and intensities and at least 1/2 make use of electronic noise surges. The sound is…
Farouk Enjineer
2021 Remastered reissue with new artwork. Originally released in 1997 through Soleilmoon Recordings. This is extremely intense Arabic dub noise music, designed to blow minds and loudspeakers.This is Muslimgauze at their peak! This is one of the absolute best albums Bryn made, superb all around. Amazing high and low tech sounds circling and colliding together, to make one remarkable album. It sounds like you may have sand in your speakers. Unmistakable Gauze!