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.
Maroon
*2024 repress* Separated from both its reputation and its sleeve art, the music of Muslimgauze explores the relationship of visual sensations -- space, color, depth, illusion -- to the listening experience. The music on Maroon is dub-like inspired techno music, laidback with voices appearing randomly in the mix. The thick drums and rich found sounds that densely populate the soundscapes on Maroon give materiality to the warm presence of the synth washes. The music is so layered and textured that…
Citadel
The original tracks were perfectly remastered for this first time ever vinyl release and the new masters received high praise from the Extreme Music owner Roger Richards. A new sleeve design was created by Oleg Galay, who is famous for his artworks for many Muslimgauze reissues. The album jacket is made from extra heavy cardboard with deluxe spot UV finish and inside print.
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 …
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…
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. …
Martyr Shrapnel
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.
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…
Khan Younis
** 2022 remastered **
- Brilliantly remastered LP/CD with new stunning artwork!- Unique tribal dub-trance music influenced by arabic culture with a touch of post-industrial.- Hypnotic rhythms mixed with with eastern vibes.- Muslimgauze at it's best!- released as picture LP in gimmix cover limited to 500 copies- also available as black vinyl and CD
A1 taken from VA - 110 Below - No Sleeve Notes Required (110 Below, 1995)A2 taken from VA - Assemblage Volume Two (Extreme, 1996)A3 taken from Nonpla…
Uzi
** 2022 repress, with poster ** Muslimgauze's gem from the late 80s. Cinematic, minimal, noisy, hypnotic, and gloomy. Probably not so overtly Middle Eastern as his later works, though definitely bearing an influence. Backed by electric drones percussion forms a living, breathing atmosphere of impending menace. For a strange reason, this album was missed in VOD's Chasing The Shadow Of Bryn Jones 10xLP Box-set. Now you have a chance to complete your Muslimgauze discography! All Tracks Written and …
Jaal Ab Dullah
Muslimgauze are getting more bizarre with each release. This one is an intricately complicated ode to hip-hop music, but of course it's all done in that strange way that makes this band so unique. You can almost dance to this one