Excavated Shellac: An Alternative History of the World’s Music

What should you give someone who listens to a broad swath of ‘global music’? How about a 100-track compilation of compelling music from around the world that they wouldn’t have heard yet? Producer Jonathan Ward assembles that here, from 78rpm shellac records released between 1907 and 1967, which have, with few exceptions, never been reissued and are, for that and other reasons, very rare. With extensive research, Ward, in the accompanying 186-page ebook, provides background not only on the artists and their offerings but also the history of both recording technology and business and the evolution of musical styles in more than 80 countries and regions. Ward’s eminently readable liner notes are enhanced by art director Barbara Bersch’s archival photographs, as well as colourful reproductions of record sleeves, imprints of company stamps, and even promotional slogans.

The rarities range from an 80-year-old recording of Mongolian throat singing to mento from Jamaica to lilting vocalese from Wales. Generously evident are the varieties of vocal and instrumental expression, the subjects of lyrics (with translations), the role of music as a touchstone of identity, and the modes by which regional musicians meld with sounds from elsewhere and evolve. Coming through a complete listen and read, even informed enthusiasts will find themselves better educated and the more eager to explore all these matters. Also to be much thanked is multi-Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves of Osiris Studio, who has digitised this treasure trove and restored it all to its original acoustic quality, and in many cases improved on that, so that you won’t be hearing the scratches and distorted pitches associated with most old shellac discs. Partly because many of the performers are non-professionals or part-time musicians, the clean audio better allows emotion to reach across time, place and cultural differences.