Iskhak Katayev - On the pages of Tajik Makoms - LP released in Soviet Tajikistan in 1983

Iskhak (Isoq or Isaac) Katayev (d. 2006) was a famous singer of the Shashmaqam of Bukhara. He belonged - as so many of the Shashmaqam singers - to the Jewish community and emigrated at the end of his life to the United States. Apparently he lived part of his life in Tajikistan.

In 2016 we had posted an Uzbek MP3-CD devoted to four Shashmaqam singers. Our singer here was one these four. See there for more information on the singer.

I saw him probably live as part of the Ilyas Malayev Ensemble at two concerts in Utrecht, Holland, at the Oude Music Festival, in the early or mid 1990s. I remember that at the day before they performed they were sitting right next to me in another concert. I was unable to figure out from which country they might come. And a big cloud of a strong fragrance sourronded them which I also couldn't figure out. Only a day later I learned that these were the musicians of the Uzbek Jewish Shashmaqam ensemble from Queens, N.Y. and that the fragrance came from smoking enormous amounts of cheap Russian cigarettes. This was quite an experience and so were also the two concerts: I never had heard Shashmaqam before and was very surprised at the sheer power and loudness of their voices. Very impressing. But I really fell strongly in love with this music only in 1998 at a tour of the Ari Babakhanov Ensemble through Holland and Belgium. With each concert my love for this music became stronger and after the last concert I was so sad that the tour was over.

Here the track info as found on https://records.su/album/21756:

Side 1:
1. Nasrulloi (klassicheskaya melodiya - Dzhazbi)
2. Savti kalon (klassicheskaya melodiya - Soib)
3. Vospominaniye (muzyka nar.- Nazim, Nakis)

Side 2:
4. Ushshoki Samarkand (muzyka nar.-- Zebuniso)
5. YA schastliv (muzyka nar.- Dzh. Kuvnakov)
6. Kashkarchai mugulchai dugokh (klassicheskaya melodiya - P. Khisori)
7. Talkini ushshok (klassicheskaya melodiya - Khusayni)

Iskhak Katayev - tanbur,
Gafur Razykov - dutar,
Mikhail Katayev - doyra (3, 4),
Ensemble of National Instruments (1, 2, 5-7)

Most of the songs belong to the repertoire of Shashmaqam.

flac
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Makoms - From Uzbek People‘s Musical Legacy - Double LP released in Soviet Uzbekistan in 1984

Here a very interesting anthology of Makom traditions of Uzbekistan with older, partly very rare recordings from the years 1955 to 1984. The first LP is devoted to Shashmaqam. Side 3 has samples of the Makom tradition of Khorezm (finally) and side 4 has the one of the Ferghana Valley. A few of these recordings were already part of some of our older posts, namely the ones by the Shashmakom ensemble directed by Yunus Rajabi and the piece by Mamurjan Uzakov.

There are spoken comments in Uzbek introducing every track. We have posted two versions: one with the comments and another one without them.

Here the details from https://records.su/album/22599 (with some corrections):

Makoms - From Uzbek People‘s Musical Legacy

Comments of F. Karamatov (in Uzbek) are read by M. Rakhimov

First disc - Side 1:

1. Bebochcha (Fuzuli) - Hadji Abdulaziz Rasulov

2. Tasnifi Buzruk

3. Garduii Buzruk

4. Mukhammasi Navo - 2., 3. & 4. Student ensemble of Makomistov of Tashkent State University Conservatory dir. by Abdurahim Hamidov

5. Sarakhbori Navo - Ensemble of the makomistov of the Uzbek Television and Radio dir. by Yunus Rajabi

Side 2:

1. Talqini Bayot, Tarona, Nasri Bayot (Sakkoki, Navoi, Babur) - Ensemble of the makomistov of the Uzbek Television and Radio dir. by Yunus Rajabi

2. Mugilchai Dugoh (Fuguri) - Domla Halim Ibadov (singing, doira), Shonazar Sahibov (tanbur)

3. Iroqi Bukhoro (Babur) - Ensemble of the makomistov of the Uzbek Television and Radio dir. by Yunus Rajabi

Second disc - Side 3:

1. Tani Makom (Ogakhi) - Kamiljan Ataniyazov (Komiljon Otaniyozov) (singing, tar), Abdusharif Atajanov (doira)

2. Talqin - Amiri-Hadjikhan Baltaev (Xozhixon Boltayev) (singing, dutar), Abdusharif Atajanov (doira)

3. Kazhang Suvor va tezgasi (Ogakhi) - Madrahim Matyakubov (singing, dutar)

Side 4:

4. Dugoh Husaini (Navoi) - Sharahim Shaumarov (singing, dutar)

5. Shakhnozi gulor (Mukimi) - Halima Nasyrova and Fatima Borukhova (singing), Turgun Alimatov (tanbur), Zakirjan Abidov (dutar)

6. Bayot III (Mukimi) - Mamurjan Uzakov, Ensemble of People's Instruments

7. Ushshoq (Navoi) - Yunus Rajabi, Ensemble of People's Instruments

LP 1 & Scans with comments - flac
LP 1 & Scans with comments - mp3

LP 2 with comments - flac
LP 2 with comments - mp3

LP 1 & 2 & Scans without comments - flac
LP 1 & 2 & Scans without comments - mp3

Arifkhan Khatamov, Khakimdzhan Faiziyev & Akhrarkhon Khatamov ‎– Classical Songs of the Uzbek People - LP published in Soviet Uzbekistan in 1972

Here an LP by the great Arifkhan Khatamov (Orifxon Xatamov), the most important representative of the Maqom tradition of the Ferghana Valley of his generation. Unfortunately the LP came with a generic cover. We had posted in 2017, 2015 and 2012 already two MP3 CDs and some tracks found in the internet by the artist. The musicians here are: Arifkhan Khatamov (Vocal & Tanbur), Khakimdzhan Faiziyev (Vocal & Dotar) and Akhrarkhon Khatamov (Vocal).

Side 1: 

Mustaxzod (muz. nar.— Xuvajdo

Ulandan sur (muz. nar,— Amiri)

Karimkulʙegi, Kaşkarcai uşşok Sodirxon (muz. nar.— A. Navoi)

Side 2: 

Va'da ajlaʙ ( muz. nar.— Munis)

Guluzorim mening (A. Xatamov — A. Navoi)

Suvora (muz. nar.— A. Navoi)

Track details from http://records.su/album/40339

The words behind the titles mean first: music traditional (only on side 2 in track 2 the name of the composer is given: our singer A. Xatamov) and the second name is the name of the poet.

flac

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Barno Ishakova (1927-2001) - B. Iskhakova sings Tajik songs - LP released in Tajikistan in 1973

Here we present an LP we recently aquired, unfortunately with a generic cover. But anyway, it is the first LP by this great artist we ever got. She is considered to be the greatest female voice in classic Uzbek and Tajik Shashmaqom music. Born in Uzbekistan she spend most of her life in Tajikistan. At the end of her life she emigrated to Israel. 

The very helpful discography at Catalog of Soviet Records gives the following details:

Barno Isxakova

Side 1:

Sinaxuruş (muz. nar.— Kooni);

Xikojat mekunad (N. Şaulov — Dƶami);

Navruzi saʙo (muz. nar.—Xafiz);

Side 2:

Mugulcai dujux (muz. nar.— Furugi);

Capandozi uşşok (muz. nar,— Maxfi);

Nasri uşşok (muz. nar.—Xafiz)

Most of the pieces are from the Shashmaqam. Noteworthy is that the poets are Persian ones like Hafiz (Xafiz) and Jami (Dzami). Tajik is a language close to Persian while Uzbek is one of the Central Asian Turkic languages. The difference between the classical repertoire in Uzbekistan and in Tajikistan is only that in Uzbekistan the poems are most times in Chagatai, a late medieval form of Uzbek, and in Tajikistan they are in Persian.

On our recent post on Traditional Music Of The Tajik People there was one track by Barno Ishakova. In 2012 and 2016 we posted already three releases by her. We see here again how differently her name can be transcribed.

flac
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Orifxon Xatamov - Vol. 2 - MP3-CD from Uzbekistan by the great Maqom master

Orifxon Xatamov was perhaps the greatest Maqom singer (and Tanbur player) of his time. He is in the line of the greatest masters of the Maqom of the Ferghana Valley, connecting his teacher Jurakhan Sultanov and his brilliant disciple Mamurjan Uzakov to his own disciple, the last complete master Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev.

In 2015 we had posted a MP3-CD by the master and in 2012 a cassette. See our post from 2015 for information on the artist. 

Now we present the second volume of his complete works. This is one of the most beautiful collections of Uzbek Maqom music, a rich testimony to an era and a world unfortunately lost. It also contains quite a number of wonderful instrumental pieces. The MP3-CD has three folders: 1. Orif Xatamov, containing 73 tracks, 2. Beknazar Do'stmurodov, containing 8 tracks & 3. Abdunabi Ibragimov, containing 2 tracks. I guess that the artists of folders 2 and 3 are disciples of Orifxon Xatamov. In order to make downloading more convenient, we split the MP3-CD into two parts: part 1 containing tracks 1 to 35 plus the cover scans and part 2 containg tracks 36 to 73 plus the two other folders.

It was again our very dear friend Danny who brought this MP3-CD years ago from a visit to Uzbekistan and shared it so generously.

Download part 1

Download part 2

Boris Namatiev (Namatiyev) - Zulfi Pareşon - LP published in Uzbekistan/Tajikistan in 1988

Here we present an LP by a well-known Jewish Shashmaqom singer from Uzbekisten, who lived apparently most of his life in Dushambe, Tajikistan. We posted in 2016 a MP3-CD with classical music from Bukhara containing 5 folders. One of these folders with 12 tracks is devoted to our artist. See here. We couldn't find much information on the singer in western languages, but there seems to be some in Russain, like here in the liner notes of the LP. Perhaps someone is so kind to translate the liner notes for us.

And here is already a translation of the liner notes by kkrka kr:

"Boris Namatiev, the Honored Artist of Tajik SSR is an actor of the A. Lakhuti State Drama Theater. During his 40 year career in the theater he has starred in numerous productions of classic plays, as well as plays by Soviet and Tajik playwrights.

Thanks to his solid vocal skills, he was particularly celebrated as an actor in musical plays, such as "The Exam" by F. Ansori (Sharif Ismati), "Arshin mol alan" by U. Gadjibekov (Asker), "The 30 kopeks charge" by Sh. Kiyamov and Farkhad (Kamal - police sergeant), and others.

B. Namatiev has done an outstanding deed in preserving and promoting the musical treasures of the Tajik Shashmaqom. He has made recordings of the most difficult/complex parts of this true pearl of folk art. The present record is the result of a long creative labour by a wonderful Tajik artist."

The recordings were made in 1985-87. Track titles are given in Tajik (which I unfortunately do not speak), followed by bracketed words "classic melody - [poet] (e.g. Hafez, Bedil...)" and once in A4 it says "folk melody".

Many thanks for the translation. Very appreciated!

On this LP the repertoire is from Shashmaqom. The ensemble plays a little in a more contemporary style bordering on Khalq (from or of the people, folk) music.

Here what we found in the internet on the artist (more focused on his acting career):

"NAMATIYEV, BORIS-ABO DAVIDOVICH (1930, Kerki, Turkmenistan). Actor, singer, and producer. Honored Artist (1970) and People’s Artist of Tajikistan (1989). Graduated from the Artistic-Musical  College (1954). Since 1948 - soloist of the orchestra  of  folk  instruments.  Actor of A. Lakhuti  Tajik  State Dramatic Theater. Played more than 100 various roles. Soloist at the children’s Ensemble “Pamir”. Participant of the decade in Moscow in 1957. Engaged in concert production, performing fragments of shashmakom. Repatriated  to Israel in 1992. Created the М.Tolmasov and G.Mullokandov Bukharian-Jewish Theater (1993-2002), where he plays in scene and produces performances: “Yosef-Ha-Tzadik” (by  A.Shalamayev), “Arshin Mal  Alan” (1994), “Esther-ha-Malka” (“Queen Esther” by А.Shalamayev, 1996), “Sacrifice of Isaac” (by B.Namatiyev and N.Yukhananоv, 1998), “Haft Barodaron” (“Seven Brothers”, 1999); “Apa Kalmoki Kaimok” (“Aunt Kalmok”) and “Gardishi Davron” (“Whirlpool of the Times”) – on the plays of А.Shalamayev. From 2002, the theater is renamed as “Theater  of Boris Namatiyev”. His creativity is described in P. Niyazov’s book “Theater of Boris Namatiyev” (2000)."

from: http://www.asia-israel.co.il/Encyclopedia-in-English.html

flac
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Mamat Karimov - Old Masters of Arts of Uzbekistan - Vol. 8 - LP published in Soviet Uzbekistan in 1980

Here another volume of the "Old Masters of Arts of Uzbekistan" series in which older LPs of great masters were reissued. I don't know anything about the singer except that he is the same singer who also goes under the name of Muhammadjon Khoji Karimov. Here the cover of a MP3-CD by him, which we might post one day: 

I guess that he belongs to the tradition of Maqom of the Ferghana Valley. The recordings seem to be well before 1980. His voice is much softer then the very powerful voices of most of the other Maqom singers of those times. Here noteworthy is also the small ensemble with its perfect balance and retained minimalism, so typical of older Uzbek Maqom music.

flac
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Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev - The last great master of the Maqom of the Ferghana Valley - MP3-CD from Uzbekistan

Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev (Fatahkhon Mamadaliev, Fattohxon Mamadaliev, Fattohhon Mamadaliyev, Фаттоххон Мамадалиев) was the last great, complete master of the Maqom of the Ferghana Valley. I think he was a disciple of the great Orifxon Xatamov. See our posts from 2012 and 2015. 

In 2011 we posted already a cassette by Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev. 

On the CD "Traditions Orales d'Ouzbekistan - Oral Traditions of Uzbekistan", released 1997 by the French label Playasound, was one solo track by him and two tracks accompanying one of his students on Tanbur. On the CD accompanying the book "Musiques d'Asie Centrale - L'Esprit d'une Tradition" by Jean During is one track by him. These seem to be the only recordings published in the West. The book is an excellent introduction to the music of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. 

Here we present a MP3-CD by the great master. The CD contains two folders: one by Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev with 39 tracks and another one by Inomjon Mamadaliyev, probably a son of Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev, with 16 tracks. One can see here very clearly the difference between the old generation and the new one. Only very few musicians keep today the traditional music, especially the small traditional ensemble with its perfect balance and very retained minimalism (a perfect example is the exceptional Munajat Yulchieva). The old singers had a great and very subtle art to build up culmination points. Their music was like an unlimited ocean alternating constantly between high tide and low tide, constantly building up new culminations. That is the reason why this format of MP3-CDs of many hours length is the perfect format for this music: the longer one listens to this music the more one gets into it and the more difficult it becomes to leave this universe of beauty and depth. 

I include here the folder by the son just for comparison. It is still good music, but compared to Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev it completely fades and lacks the fathers greatness.

My dear friend Danny brought this CD years ago from a trip to Uzbekistan. Many thanks to him for sharing so generously.

Fattoxxon Mamadaliyev

Inomjon Mamadaliyev

Munojot Yolchieva - MP3 To'plam - MP3 Collection - MP3-CD from Uzbekistan

Here a wonderful MP3-CD by the great Munajat Yulchieva, today the greatest voice of Uzbekistan. Unfortunately 2 or 3 tracks have some minor defects. Such great intense music! Earlier this year we posted an LP by her. See here. Our dear friend Danny brought this CD from a trip to Uzbekistan. Many thanks to him for sharing so generously.

download

Folk Music of Central Asia - West Turkistan - LP published in Japan in 1968

Here we present another LP from Japan which was never on the market in Europe or the US, but this time for license restriction reasons, as the recordings were licensed for sale in Japan only from the Soviet state owned label Melodiya.

On side 1 we have three recordings from Turkmenistan and three from Uzbekistan, on side 2 there are three tracks from Tajikistan and three from Kyrgyzstan, at that time all republics of the Soviet Union.

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Jurakhan Sultanov (1893-1964) - Old Masters of Arts of Uzbekistan, Vol. 18 - LP published in Soviet Uzbekistan in 1986 (1950s)

Jurakhan Sultanov (Jura-Khon Sultanov, Джурахон Султанов) was considered the greatest voice in classical Maqom music in Uzbekistan in mid twentieth century. He had an extremely powerful and beautiful voice. In 2011 we posted a double LP which had one track by him. See here. He belonged to the Maqom tradition of the Ferghana Valley. Unfortunately there are not many recordings by him. Partly this is due to a Russian who was the director of the radio at that time. He always thought that the singer had a sore throat and asked him to come back when he felt better. 

Here we present an LP re-released in 1986. It was originally published in the 1950s. At least one track (no. 4) was recorded already in 1938.

For a long time he sang together with his best student Mamurjan Uzakov (1904-1964). See the two cassettes we posted in 2011 here. Around 1955, Mamurjan Uzakov started a career on his own. 

On this LP one hears in most tracks two singers in perfect "vocal unison" (jura avazi), also called "in a single breath" (ham nafas).

Information partly taken from the booklet of the wonderful CD "Ouzbekistan - Les Grandes voix du passé (1940-1965)", unfortunately no longer available for many years (Ocora, C 560142, 1999). This CD has three tracks by the singer. The booklet was written by Jean During.

Here the track information of our LP in transcription and translation:

1. Okh, kim (folk music - Z. Furkat); 2. V sadu (folk music - Z. Khabibi); 3. Besh parda suvora (classical melody - Agakhi, A. Navoi); 4. Sodirkhoi ushshogi (folk music - Dzhami); 5. Savti suvora (classical melody - Agakhi); 6. Gde moya lyubimaya (folk music - Lutfi); 7. Khanuz (folk music - A. Navoi); 8. Bulmish (A. Khatamov - A. Navoi). 

The names in the brackets are the poets of the songs. The first name in the last track is probably the composer of the song, the famous singer Orifxon Xatamov. See our posts of this great singer here.

The accompanying singers are:

Mamatbuva Sattarov, Zakirdzhan Ergashev (7), Mamurdzhan Uzakov (4), Arifkhan Khatamov (Orifxon Xatamov) (8).

Accompanied by an ensemble of folk instruments.

Recorded in the 1950s.

Seriya «Stareyshiye mastera iskusstv Uzbekistana» (Old Masters of Arts of Uzbekistan), vypusk 18 (volume 18).

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