Sir Record

The finest record collection.

If someone asks me one thing I can't live without I immediately think of music. Waking up to the beautiful sounds of nature, leading to the sounds of rock or reggae, continuing my day with some afro beats or [afro]house music and recently I have been experiencing an appreciation for techno which in the past was far beyond something I could listen to. I listen to various styles of music based on how I feel and when I feel overwhelmed, I love the sounds of birds chirping, waves flowing and trees rustling with the wind. Music runs through my veins and speaks through my silences. When I am in silence I can still hear music, to me it's really comforting.

When I was baby I could dance and sleep to music, as I grew up I enjoyed singing in the choir, performing in musicals and I was even in a rock band shortly. I played different instruments such as the piano, clarinet, saxophone, and now I occasionally play the ukelele. For some reason I have built a very strange connection with music; feeling that I am not good enough to make a living out of it yet still allowing the vibes to guide me somehow. Music runs in our veins yet there is some kind of blockage that holds me back. My thoughts come down to insecurities, feeling lack of support, and fear.

But then I think, music is accessible to us all however what would my intentions be. Who would I want to be? Do I need to define myself? Label myself? And feeling as if I do need to chose burdens me because I am not a fan of identifying to one idea.

Right now I am picking up my DJing skills which had been planted a long while back when my dad would host karaoke gigs around Dar es Salaam and there would be a mixer in the house. I didn't take the art seriously even though I really enjoyed it the few times I engaged in it, however this path keeps aligning my way. I had picked up some skills again during the end of covid times inspired by SW the DJ in Sagana, Kenya. Since then, I decided to invest, I bought a Pioneer DDJ-200 and I have experienced some unforgettable evenings, some awesome gigs and so much abundance. I also experienced a roller coaster of emotions along the way, as this journey continues to test my confidence. Am I good enough? Do I even know what I am doing? Where am I going with this?

However during this process it is key to stay present and move with the flow. Currently I am flowing around which music I enjoy mixing, again feeling like I would need to chose, however my dad says a good DJ can mix any genre, any style. For now I am disagreeing but he's probably going to be right! [My dad was an awesome DJ in his younger years, and still is!]

I thought maybe I am finding my style through this journey but at the end I know this journey is pulling me even closer to music because mixing, listening; connecting with beats this way, gives me so much knowledge, life and energy.

[Materia Prima]

A moment I continuously re-live was when I was solo traveling in Portugal, at my second destination, Porto (most majestical city ever) there was a day I was quite hungover but I had never recovered so quickly from the feeling based on how excited I felt to explore the city, there was no way I was about to lounge at the hostel or do nothing. I stayed hydrated, had coffee and a pastel de nata at a cute cafe (daily ritual) and explored random ends of Porto.

I was dragged in all kinds of roads, the hills were endless but the vibrant life kept me moving. At some point I thought I was going to turn back but instead I got some water, sat somewhere, indulged in the views and kept on going. I didn't know where I was going or what I was looking for, I simply wandered.

I was about to turn back because I thought I was lost but then I looked to the right and I saw a beautiful cave of a store, filled with two of things I love, books and music. I entered as if I had reached my destination.

There was some really strange music (music I don't know) playing in the background, like some garage rock/punk/pop/trap, a genre so unfamiliar to me, yet I felt so welcome. I walked around with my eyes popped out of my soul. I didn't want to miss a thing. There was a fine selection of tapes, CD's, records and a really unique selection of books. However, I was drawn to the fine ass selection of records. I was looking through them and the store guy who I am going to call Sir Record (I hope they is okay with this), had the most down to earth and humble energy, came up to me and informed me that I could listen to what ever I would like. If there were records that were closed I could even open them! I started at one record, listened to another, jammed to it, found some more, listened to some really interesting Tanzanian hard style a compilation of drums, beats, and sounds of the matatu's (bus's), hectic street sounds. [Sounds of Pamoja. Yellow record with open mouth.]

Even though I wasn't the biggest fan, it was a bit too hectic for me right now. I found that the unique genre is called breakneck dance originated in Dar es Salaam. Neverthemore, I was so lured into the sounds of the store, I listened to music from all around the world. From local artists of Portugal, to Brazilian pop, to South African house music, to Egyptian folk tunes and more. Every time I'd remove the headphones new music styles were played in the background, via this awesome tape player, of the most unique sounds i'd ever heard. From time to time Sir Record would place some more records for me to listen to, it was like he knew what I wanted to hear. At some point I realized I needed a break and then I realized that I had been in the store for hours. I decided to buy a few and I couldn't have been happier. The experience, the accommodation, the artistic selection, everything was such a vibe!!! This afternoon was definitely a highlight of my time in Porto!

The records I bought: