Various

Intensely expressive free-verse vocal laments over sliding violins, hammered santouri, guitar, and oud - the hybrid sounds of the Mediterranean in the early 20th century. “Aman Aman” cry the singers on these recordings, their voices preserved on 78rpm discs cut between 1911-1935. The phrase roughly translates to “mercy,” a call of despair, but also one of joy and admiration. On many of these sides, that full range of emotion is transmitted at once. 

Some of these artists are legends, others lost to time. Nearly half are female vocalists, a big part of the Cafe Aman tradition but not as well represented on contemporary releases. All were affected by conflicts leading up to the Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1923, and the forced migrations of millions of people between Greece and Turkey before and since. Their work reflects these journeys - devastating poems about losing love and losing home, backed by some of the best musicians of the era.

We hear the powerful vocals of prolifically recorded artists like Antonis ‘Dalgas’ Diamantidis, Sofroniou, and Stellakis Perpiniadis, alongside revelatory recordings by largely unknown female vocalists like Hrysa Thivaiou. Beautifully remastered and restored by Jordan McLeod at Osiris Studio, the LP includes detailed historical and discographical notes by Stavros Kourousis, and poetic lyric translations by Tony Klein. Pressed on highest quality vinyl at Smashed Plastic in Chicago and co-released with the great Olvido Records.