Sublime Frequencies

Share the news! NEW RELEASE! SF133 - THE HANDOVER - New Old Medicine links to purchase in bio THE HANDOVER - NEW OLD MEDICINE Hot on the heals of their spectacular self-titled debut album, The Handover is back with their second long form composition, New Old Medicine. Aly Eissa (oud), Ayman Asfour (violin), and Jonas Cambien (vintage organ/synth) have been cutting their teeth on the international touring circuit for the past two years, landing from town to town in their seductive spaceship to blow people's minds and then dematerialize into the void. An outline for a new piece began to emerge along the route and late last year during a stop in Berlin, this metamorphosis of the trio's sound was recorded in pristine form by Rabih Beaini at Morphine Studios. (Limited edition vinyl pressing with 2-page insert including liner notes by Tucker Wiedenkeller) Attempting to define the music is not as important as allowing it to define itself - from person to person, village to village. All we can do is suggest what may resonate to lure you into the arena; psychedelic, folkloric, Egyptian, etc., as these excerpts from the liner notes suggest: "Though one long piece, New Old Medicine moves through several unofficial chapters. It originates in the psychic depths with a pensive melody. Gradually solidifying, the organ’s first solo ushers the piece into a swaying, reverent dance. This dance nears its end with a vigorously percussive section on oud, handing it off to the violin for a climactic solo. A momentary pause, then the rhythm thickens, and the musicians ride untethered through the midnight. This frenzy is followed by a calm repose on placid water. But this calm is merely a deep inhale before the final charged ascent into cosmic rapture." - Tucker Mcgee. Don't sleep on this one! We still have a very limited amount of the first LP available as well. #sublimefrequencies #egyptianmusic

SHARE THE NEWS! NEW RELEASE!!! SF132 - HIMBA HYMN: GHOSTS OF NAMIBIA'S SKELETON COAST LP/Digital LP shipping in late April 2026. Pre-orders available NOW! links in bio Recorded live on location, this is a style of music unlike anything you have ever heard before and the first album of the Himba people's music ever released from northwest Namibia. "The Namib desert is the oldest in the world. Therefore, the driest. Italian-Rwandan photographer, Marilena Umuhoza Delli and I had come to record with possibly the most photographed people on earth, the Himba— to listen rather than gaze at them as if on display. To share their voices as a counter to their visual objectification, particularly the inappropriate eroticization of the women who customarily go topless throughout daily life. We had to stress multiple times that we did not want the musicians to don touristic tribal costumes— quite possibly the first music project in history that urged performers to cover-up rather than pleading with artists to expose more flesh. But it was to no avail. When the assigned hour arrived, the men all ditched the baseball caps and soccer jerseys that they routinely wear. And for the women, the reality is that they almost without exception keep their torsos bare, even in winter. We had to acquiesce. Forcing the issue would have only been the flipside of inauthenticity. The featured, traditional instrument is the Cattle Gun. It’s rarely found these days and therefore, costly. Made from the lengthy horn of an Oryx and coated in mud, it is blown, resulting in a breathy, rattled tone. Via the use of live looping on three of the album’s tracks, psychedelic vocal tapestries were created as if snatched from the ever-shifting skies that enshrined the valley from all sides. But even more esoteric results arose from members cupping hands over mouth to create chorusing and flanging effects sans electricity or gear..." Photography - Marilena Umuhoza Delli Audio mastering @oticsound Layout and design - Frank Schmitt wholesale distribution: @forcedexposure2 @o.n.distribution @cargoindependentdistribution

Restoration and mastering are their own processes, and occasionally I get to enjoy the challenge of doing both. Proud to have contributed to the second edition of Indian Talking Machine from Sublime Frequencies, released in January. The sequencing, curation, research, and John Hubbard’s design all reflect genuine care… it’s a social artifact in the best sense. Thank you for your expertise and commitment, Robert and SF.

New-In: _Indian Talking Machine Part Two: Instrumental Gems From The 78rpm Era_ 2LP, via Sublime Frequencies The long awaited follow up and companion to the 2016 _Indian Talking Machine_ book/CD (also Sublime Frequencies), a monumental project drawn mostly from the collection of Robert Millis (Climax Golden Twins/Victrola Favorites) and his archive of 78rpm records and ephemera. This 2026 2LP further contextualizes and unearths never before issued music. “This double LP of instrumental Hindustani, Carnatic and folk 78rpm shellac records from India comes with a full color 12-page insert of gramophone record ephemera, shops, labels, manufacturing details and graphics. The LPs feature over 25 artists recorded between 1904 and 1959 playing a panoply of instruments: jalatarang, dilruba, sarod, clarionet, pakhawaj, violin, been, kazoo, shehnai, tabla, sarangi, sitar, vina and more […] Artists include Imdad Khan (the first sitarist ever recorded), Ahmedjan Thirkhawa, Bundu Khan, Amir Hussain, Allauddin Khan (who taught Ravi Shankar), and others both forgotten and revered. The Indian classical instrumental tradition is one of incredible proficiency and expressiveness using instruments and techniques created over generations that seem to perfectly and uniquely compliment Indian culture, landscape and tradition. Sympathetic strings resonate inside sitars and sarangis to manifest shimmering reverberant spiritual spaces; horns, reeds and flutes extend the range, volume and melodic inventiveness of the voice; a mind-boggling array of elaborately turned percussion instruments allow for rhythms as complex or as simple as the flowing Ganges River. Classical music in India was perhaps at its height during the 78rpm period as the raj era was ending and the world was globalizing.” Highly recommended!! Cc: @sublime_frequencies @climaxgoldenrob

Due to overwhelming demand, SF130 West Virginia Snake Handler Revival “They Shall Take Up Serpents” LP is back in stock.! This is a VERY LIMITED repress. For those of you who did not get a copy the first time around, here is your chance. Don't hesitate!!! Shops in UK can order from @cargoindependentdistribution Shops in Europe can order from @o.n.distribution All other shops can order from @forcedexposure2

SF131 2LP IN STOCK AND SHIPPING!!! links in bio Shops can order from @forcedexposure2 SOLD OUT IN UK AND EUROPE! Indian Talking Machine Part Two - Instrumental Gems from the 78rpm Era This double LP of instrumental Hindustani, Carnatic and folk 78rpm shellac records from India comes with a full color 12-page insert of gramophone record ephemera, shops, labels, manufacturing details and graphics. The LPs feature over 25 artists recorded between 1904 and 1959 playing a panoply of instruments: jalatarang, dilruba, sarod, clarionet, pakhawaj, violin, been, kazoo, shehnai, tabla, sarangi, sitar, vina and more. Artists include Imdad Khan (the first sitarist ever recorded), Ahmedjan Thirkhawa, Bundu Khan, Amir Hussain, Allauddin Khan (who taught Ravi Shankar), and others both forgotten and revered. The Indian classical instrumental tradition is one of incredible proficiency and expressiveness using instruments and techniques created over generations that seem to perfectly and uniquely compliment Indian culture, landscape and tradition. Sympathetic strings resonate inside sitars and sarangis to manifest shimmering reverberant spiritual spaces; horns, reeds and flutes extend the range, volume and melodic inventiveness of the voice; a mind-boggling array of elaborately turned percussion instruments allow for rhythms as complex or as simple as the flowing Ganges river. Classical music in India was perhaps at its height during the 78rpm period as the raj era was ending and the world was globalizing. 2-LP gatefold with 12 page full-color booklet insert - features never reissued recordings and is the long-anticipated follow up to the Indian Talking Machine book/CD (Sublime Frequencies 099), which was also produced by Robert Millis from his collection of 78rpm records and ephemera. Mastering and sound restoration by @laminalaudio | A.F. Jones | Marginal Frequency LP design by @johnoffinland #sublimefrequencies #indianclassicalmusic #indian78shellac #india

Frederick Wiseman - (1930–2026) Thank you for one of the most singular bodies of work in cinema! Hugely influential around these parts! -HM @zipporahfilms #frederickwiseman

An old chestnut now available on our bandcamp page! (links in bio) SF042 SHADOW MUSIC OF THAILAND SHADOW MUSIC was a broad term given to the Thai guitar pop movement of the 1960s and the groups that came out of it, all under the profound influence of early Western rock and roll. British instrumental wonders The Shadows (as in Cliff Richards & the Shadows) were the origin of the genre's title, also coined 'Wong Shadow' or early Thai 'String' music. Shadow records were often marketed as 'Thai Modernized Music' which it was in the truest sense. Traditional Thai melodies were given the Shadow treatment; incorporating rock, surf, a-go-go, exotica, soul, blues, Latin and other worldly styles of the times. Inventive compositions and instrumental genius meet the occasional odd vocal arrangement and the results range from plaintive guitar and organ-driven lullabies to full-blown electric garage folk-psychedelia! Featured on this collection are a handful of the leading recorded artists from the time; P.M. Pocket Music, The Son of P.M., P.M.7, Jupiter and Johnny Guitar. Throughout the 1960s, these groups forged a unique and highly self-referential Thai sound. Compiled by Mark Gergis 2008 #sublimefrequencies #thailand #thaimusic #thaiguitarists #thaisurfmusic

SHARE THE NEWS! NEW RELEASE! DIGIAL AVAILABLE NOW 2LP PRE-ORDER SHIPPING EARLY MARCH 2026 INDIAN TALKING MACHINE part two: INSTRUMENTAL GEMS FROM THE 78rpm ERA This double LP of instrumental Hindustani, Carnatic and folk 78rpm shellac records from India comes with a full color 12-page insert of gramophone record ephemera, shops, labels, manufacturing details and graphics. The LPs feature over 25 artists recorded between 1904 and 1959 playing a panoply of instruments: jalatarang, dilruba, sarod, clarionet, pakhawaj, violin, been, kazoo, shehnai, tabla, sarangi, sitar, vina and more. Artists include Imdad Khan (the first sitarist ever recorded), Ahmedjan Thirkhawa, Bundu Khan, Amir Hussain, Allauddin Khan (who taught Ravi Shankar), and others both forgotten and revered. The Indian classical instrumental tradition is one of incredible proficiency and expressiveness using instruments and techniques created over generations that seem to perfectly and uniquely compliment Indian culture, landscape and tradition. Sympathetic strings resonate inside sitars and sarangis to manifest shimmering reverberant spiritual spaces; horns, reeds and flutes extend the range, volume and melodic inventiveness of the voice; a mind-boggling array of elaborately turned percussion instruments allow for rhythms as complex or as simple as the flowing Ganges river. Classical music in India was perhaps at its height during the 78rpm period as the raj era was ending and the world was globalizing. 2-LP gatefold with 12 page full-color booklet insert - features never reissued recordings and is the long-anticipated follow up to the Indian Talking Machine book/CD (Sublime Frequencies 099), which was also produced by Robert Millis from his collection of 78rpm records and ephemera. Thanks to all involved to make this happen. @johnoffinland this will be distributed by @forcedexposure2 @o.n.distribution (France and Europe) @cargoindependentdistribution (UK) #sublimefrequencies #indianclassicalmusic #78rpmrecords

Tune in to be REBORN! JESSICA welcomes producer Ian Brennan to discuss his work on the spellbinding West Virginia Snake Handler Revival “They Shall Take Up Serpents” album out now on @sublime_frequencies Brennan documents the last Snake Handling Church in Appalachia. This Friday 12-3pm on WFMU, you’ll never hear anything quite like it. For believers, non believers and the believer-curious.

EOY25-In: Unlike most end-of-year lists, many of which feel like memory walks or hype sticker back pats saying, “here’s what you missed,” we keep ours to favorite records that we still have in stock/want to get into people’s hands.   And this Lp kept us good company in 2025!  Pastor Chris Congregation _West Virginia Snake Handler Revival “They Shall Take Up Serpents”_,courtesy of @sublime_frequencies Easily our greatest American discovery this year, and by “America,” we don’t mean cosmopolitan culture, or even bougie Brooklyn for that matter. This record may aim at the heavens but swings low in terms of musical and vocal rawness, to say nothing of the snake bite that halts this ecstatic (albeit, bonkers) ritual. No choral sacred music here, folks. When Pastor Chris leans in on “Myyyyyy Lawd” it’s clear he really feels it. And we were right to ask upon its release in October 2025: is this really the first project Sublime Frequencies has issued documenting America, however remote?  And Hisham Mayet, whom we had the pleasure of meeting a month or so back, confirmed, yes!! From the one-sheet:  “The recording took place during a two-plus hour Sunday service in the West Virginia mountains. [Documentarian Ian] Brennan states, ‘I’d sworn to stay far away from the snakes at the service, but instead they were waved in my face as they coiled in the preachers’ hands, and I crouched down at the foot of the altar tending to the equipment. The pastor soon was bitten and blood splattered, pooling on the floor. The female parishioners hurriedly came to wipe up the mess, and it instantly became clear just what the rolls of paper towels stacked on the pulpit had been for. You can actually hear this moment transpire towards the end of the track “Don’t Worry It’s Just a Snakebite (What Has Happened to This Generation?”,’. [more in Comments]

Restock of this limited edition title. Last 40 copies… Head on over to the bandcamp/ website pages. links in bio. #groupinerane #sublimefrequencies #niger #touareg #tuareg #koudede #agadez