When was the last time you stopped absolutely everything you were doing and totally focused on a piece of music? For most of us, it’s probably been too long ago to remember.
But this might be about to change.
Throughout the region, record stores, bars, and cafés are taking off, and increasing numbers of people are coming together simply to engage in the simple joys of deep listening and record collecting.
One venue at the forefront of this emerging trend is the Rekord Gallery. Located inside the African-focused Efie Gallery at Alserkal Avenue, the jaw-dropping listening room is lined from floor to ceiling with over 2,000 rare and original records that date back as far as the 1940s.
Hidden behind a trap door and complete with surround sound, mirrored ceilings, bespoke furniture, books provided by public library project Bootleg Griot, games, and a café, it’s a stunning space that makes you feel instantly relaxed and at home. Kwame Mintah, Efie Gallery’s co-founder and director, explains that this remarkable space was always intended to put guests at ease and encourage them to stay longer.
“Some exhibitions can feel a bit sterile and stiff,” he begins. “But we wanted to reinvent the idea of a traditional gallery. After all, as a space focused on African artists, being accommodating and welcoming is really part of who we are. So, while we kept the gallery part very elevated and silent in order to emphasise the values of the works, the Rekord Gallery is a communal space that naturally draws out conversations, breaks down barriers, and makes people feel like they can spend the whole day there if they want to.”
Aside from the rotating exhibitions from guest collectors, all of the gallery‘s records actually belong to Kwame and his brother. “We started collecting records about eight years ago back home in Ghana, and then we slowly began picking them up whenever we were travelling, too,” he shares.
Coming from as far as Brazil, Hong Kong, the USA, the UK, and beyond, spanning every kind of musical genre you can imagine, the vast collection also includes more unexpected audio pieces such as speeches from presidents and world leaders, comedy sets, and even a recording of the
Holy Qur’an.
One of the quirkiest and most valuable vinyls is a completely silent record by French visual and performance artist Yves Klein, the inventor of the shade International Klein Blue.
“When people think of vinyl, they almost always think of music. But records can contain all kinds of different recordings you wouldn’t necessarily expect,” reasons Kwame.
In addition to playing music from the main deck, visitors are encouraged to use the gallery’s headphones for private listening. Group events are regularly hosted as well.
“For our focused listening events, the collector or the musician will speak about each song and explain in-depth how they made each track, or why it is particularly interesting to them,” Kwame reveals. “We also host more laid-back gatherings that are more for those who simply want to socialise and discover new tracks. If you enjoy music and culture, you should definitely come along and try one.”
He also agrees that there has been a resurgence of interest in vinyl records lately, noting that there are likely to be several reasons for this.
“Adding a song to your playlist doesn’t bring the same sense of ownership as buying a record does. Records are far more personal. It feels like you are contributing to the artist’s career, and as though you are connected to them in some way. These are all things you simply don’t get from regular digital tracks,” Kwame concludes on the art of collecting and listening to vinyl.
Three more record-themed haunts you need to know
With branches in Al Khobar and Riyadh, Bohemia Records & Cafe is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s independent music scene. An ultra-hip, vintage-style record store, café, and music venue all rolled into one, it sells records, CDs, cassettes, merchandise, and turntables, hosts intimate performances from regional bands of every genre (including rock, indie, blues, and more), and even produces its own compilation albums of locally produced tracks.
Follow @wearebohemiarecords
One of Dubai’s original and best-loved listening rooms, Electric Pawn Shop at The H Dubai Hotel is all about eclectic underground sounds. Offering a state-of-the-art sound system, a huge collection of rare and original vinyl records, and a shimmering glass DJ booth that continuously hosts sets from emerging and established producers, its New York City Chinatown theme is impossibly cool, while the Asian food is rather delicious, too.
Follow @electricpawnshop
Treating music lovers to almost daily DJ sets, listening sessions, a tempting record store, and rotating art exhibitions, all complemented with casual, yet high-quality, Japanese izakaya-style dining, it’s hard to beat the vibes of this funky hidden gem at the Pullman Dubai Downtown.
Follow @honeycombhifi
