Ahmed Abdul-Malik – The Eastern Moods Of Ahmed Abdul-Malik

Probably the best sounding thing VMP has ever put out. I had a subscription for 2 years and eventually cancelled it, so many titles just sounded so terrible. This one is a gem!

Very palpable percussion and Oud pluck, heavy album that draws you in on repeat listens, Magrebi is a deep trance track. I like the stereo soundstage on this, bass in the center with Sax or Oud left and hand percussion floating on the right, natural compared to concerts of this type of music I have been to. This and the Max Cannon from this month are deep digger picks that are not for everyone but they are prime examples of why I have enjoyed VMP, who else was going to release these in such high quality? Color variants of common mainstream releases for ~$50 seem like a dead end in 2024. Hope they hold the business together for albums like this.

I completely agree with the percussion comment below by tbistany - this is a superb recording! Check out my full review on Youtube: https://youtu.be/JO49Jj9PNw0

The percussion on this record/pressing is some of the best in my collection. Excellent for VMP to have reissued this rarity. Not to mention it's pressed extremely well (my copy at least). If you like the music, don't sleep on this one.

Flat, quiet record. Vivid sound. Soundstage is sax and bass coming out of one speaker and percussion coming out of the other. I can understand why this was not a successful album in its day; it's a little dull. In particular, the sax playing and the drumming are nothing special. But the variety of instruments and the vivid sound are factors in its favor and things pick up once the long cover of "Summertime" is past. The music grows on you and I found that I enjoyed it more on the third spin than on the first one, but it's more background music than music you give your full attention to. If you are into altered consciousness, this is a good soundtrack for that type of activity. I really miss the booklets that came with the Classic series, which have been eliminated by VMP to cut costs. If you want to sample the album, try the track called Sa-Ra-Ga' Ya-Hindi. If you don't like that, you won't like the album.

Kudos to VMP. I received a true mint copy..not a Discogs mint. And it sounds incredible on my system. Super pleased.

The occasional pops and clicks make the record not really quiet. Clear vinyl has visible little bubbles inside. The noise floor is also kinda high, but I guess it's just how it's recorded. Overall not really satisfied with the product, but what other option is available?