The Sui Generis Internet Musicologists

From Obscurity to Obsession: Leaders of the Online Quest for Lost Sounds

18th-century watercolour of a merman and mermaid, by unknown artist

A short introductory note regarding the scope of the following article

The internet offers a myriad of choices for the discerning music lover, but the following text focuses on a specific type of online archivist, the kind of sonic collector that amasses instances of radical singularity whose provenance is perhaps too exotic, too foreign or even too forgotten to belong in any traditional genre.

Taste, context and even relevance become not only unimportant criteria but serve no purpose when examining these repositories of aural exceptions.

Designations such as library music, world music, old soundtracks or retro-nostalgia do not do justice to the expansive imaginarium and erudite discography of these unique sound connoisseurs. My wish is that their work becomes more widely recognized and studied, or at least catalogued in some rudimentary form, such as the list of precious links which one can discover at the end of the article. Enjoy discovering even more unknown pleasures as you dive deeper into…

The Digital Archaeology of Sound

In the subterranean depths of the internet, a peculiar shaman figure has emerged: the sui generis internet musicologist. These digital diviners, driven by an insatiable curiosity, excavate the forgotten strata of recorded sound, unearthing artefacts from marginalized genres and peculiar temporal contexts. Their work is a counter-narrative to the dominant, commercially driven music industry, a reclamation of the overlooked and undervalued.

These online curators operate within the machinic assemblage of the digital domain, constructing intricate networks of sound and knowledge. Their channels, often characterized by a DIY aesthetic, challenge the professionalized and commercialized nature of music dissemination, and more importantly, the orthodoxy of pop and rock genres as defined by the mainstream.

Through their curation efforts, they offer a counter-narrative to the dominant musical canon, expanding the sonic repertoire available to listeners.

The digital realm serves as a vast, rhizomatic archive, a space where the obscure and the forgotten can find refuge. These internet musicologists function as rhizomatic nodes, connecting into aberrant nuptials each disparate element of the individualized and atomized musical landscape. Their work is akin to a form of cultural rhizogenesis, generating new connections and possibilities through the exploration of overlooked sonic territories.

Yet, the digital domain is not a neutral space. Commercial imperatives, driven by algorithms and data, often eclipse the pursuit of cultural regeneration, interpretation and preservation. The prioritization of popular and easily consumable content marginalizes the work of these independent curators.

The Foucauldian panopticon, as a heuristic for comprehending disciplinary power structures, offers profound insights into the hegemonic control mechanisms inherent in the digital archive. The pervasive surveillance capitalism emblematic of our contemporary world engenders a sophisticated apparatus for data aggregation and analysis, thereby shaping the discursive landscape of content visibility and accessibility. This omnipresent digital implementation regime, while ostensibly efficacious in identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, concomitantly engenders significant trepidation vis-à-vis intellectual property rights, individual privacy, and the spectre of censorship.

The algorithmic curation of user experiences, predicated on granular behavioural and preferential data, serves to reify extant belief systems and worldviews, potentially circumscribing critical inquiry and autonomous cognition. This manipulation of collective memory and cultural expression through data-driven heuristics poses an existential threat to the heterogeneity of cultural discourse and intellectual liberty.

The methodology of digital archaeologists may be obfuscated by these systemic forces, underscoring the intricate power dynamics at play in our increasingly digitized societal milieu. The dialectic tension between the putative benefits of data analysis and the erosion of personal autonomy necessitates a rigorous examination of these emergent technological paradigms, situating them within broader socio-political and epistemological frameworks.

Despite these challenges, these musicologists persist, their work a testament to the enduring power of human agency in the digital age. By rescuing forgotten sounds from oblivion, they contribute to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of music's role in shaping culture and society. Their efforts are a counterpoint to the homogenizing forces of the mainstream, offering listeners a chance to explore the infinite diversity of aural experience.

The curatorial endeavours of these digital archivists can be aptly characterized as a form of cultural necromancy. Their praxis transcends mere preservation, evolving into a sophisticated act of sonic resurrection that challenges conventional temporal paradigms in musicology.

By exhuming and reanimating these long-interred auditory vestiges, these curators effectuate a liminal space wherein the phantasmal echoes of bygone sonic landscapes are conjured into contemporary relevance. This esoteric process invites the audience to traverse and inhabit alternative temporal and cultural dimensions, facilitating a profound phenomenological engagement with historicity through aural means.

Such occult curation subverts the hegemonic, linear conceptualization of musical historiography, instead revealing a more intricate and rhizomatic sonic tapestry. This practice not only solidifies the spectral remnants of past musical praxes but also catalyzes their metamorphosis, breathing new vitality into these sonic revenants and situating them within a complex, interconnected auditory ecosystem that transcends conventional temporal boundaries.

Essential figures in the preservation of cultural heritage, their work is a testament to the human capacity for curiosity, exploration, and the refusal to accept the dominant cultural narrative. By navigating the complex terrain of the digital domain, they offer a counterpoint to the homogenizing forces of the music industry, ensuring the survival of diverse and marginalized musical expressions.

A Hauntological Excavation of Library Music

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a profound sense of purpose, this coterie of self-styled sonic archaeologists relentlessly pursue a singular quarry - the perfect library record. Their mission? To exhume and breathe new life into a forgotten sonic tapestry: rare, obscure, and oft-neglected sounds. This niche movement, spearheaded by figures like Ricardo Maraña, Alex B, Patricio Mora, Gilles Spadari, and Sonne Immage, has captivated a dedicated following and ignited a hauntological renaissance in the realm of music curation.

Library music, a genre once relegated to the background hum of film, television, and radio, is now experiencing an unexpected resurgence. Conceived for utilitarian purposes, these records were never intended for public consumption. They were the unseen heroes of media, providing atmospheric backdrops and setting the emotional tone for countless scenes. However, this very anonymity and ephemerality made them prime targets for the internet musicologists' deep dives.

Ricardo Maraña, a pioneer in the digital excavation movement, has meticulously curated a YouTube channel that serves as a sonic museum, a portal to a bygone era where music was crafted with meticulous precision for predestined obscurity. His selections range from jazzy, cinematic pieces to psychedelic grooves, each a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of composers who toiled in the background.

Alex B, another prominent curator, adopts a more eclectic approach. His channel meticulously catalogues the most unusual library records, often highlighting the genre's more experimental and avant-garde fringes. Alex B's stunningly obscure selections showcase the sheer diversity of library music, defying categorization and transcending traditional musical boundaries. From eerie electronic soundscapes to funky, groove-laden tracks, his collection underscores the boundless creativity that flourished within the constraints of commercial music production.

Patricio Mora and Gilles Spadari, each with their distinct curatorial styles, further enrich this vibrant tapestry of unearthed sounds. Mora's channel delves into the exotic and unusual, featuring library records that transport listeners to far-flung locales and forgotten times. His selections evoke a sense of wanderlust and curiosity, beckoning listeners to embark on sonic journeys through unfamiliar soundscapes. Spadari, in contrast, approaches his curation with musical rigour, often providing historical surprises that illuminate the significance of the records he features, bridging the past and present, and facilitating an understanding of how these forgotten fragments shaped contemporary music movements.

Sonne Immage, a channel that has gained significant traction in recent years, represents a new wave of hauntological obsession. Meticulously organized and curated, the channel functions as a labyrinthine archive, offering a comprehensive exploration of library music of a synth-orientated flavour. The curatorial approach blends academic discipline with a sense of wonder and discovery, crafting not just auditory experiences but immersive journeys. Some of the tracks are enriched with detailed annotations and background stories that bring each record to life.

The allure of library music lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and mystery for an uncannily familiar yet simultaneously unknown past. Characterized by unique production techniques and distinctive sounds, not only because of budget constraints but also due to contextual obligations, these records carry the weight of forgotten public histories and untold personal confessions.

The quasi-alchemical impulse driving these internet musicologists is a yearning to reconnect with a past that is both recognizable and alien at once, to unearth treasures long buried in the sands of time.

Derrida's concept of hauntology, a portmanteau of "haunting" and "ontology," provides a cogent framework for elucidating the temporal disjunction inherent in library music's contemporary resurgence. This philosophical construct delineates the persistent spectre of past cultural artefacts within the present zeitgeist, manifesting as both literal and metaphorical phantasms in our current milieu.

In the context of library music, this theoretical paradigm assumes a particularly poignant relevance. The physical records themselves emerge as tangible spectres of a foregone epoch, their sonic imprints serving as liminal conduits between temporalities. The act of archiving and curating these auditory relics transcends mere preservation, evolving into a form of legacy reclamation—a ritualistic invocation of past spirits to reincarnate within our present sonic landscape.

The aura of these sui generis internet musicologists, i.e. their presence in time and space, is inextricably interwoven with this hauntological framework. Their excavation of these audio artefacts represents a deliberate engagement with the spectral echoes of cultural memory, suborning a dialectical interplay between past and present. This archival endeavour thus becomes a profound meditation on temporal fluidity and the enduring influence of historical cultural production on contemporary aesthetic sensibilities.

A striking illustration of this hauntological revival is the resurgence of interest in composers like Piero Umiliani. His once-obscure compositions, relegated to background noise, have found a new audience through the efforts of these YouTube curators. Through the lens of contemporary appreciation, these compositions are no longer mere sonic wallpaper; they are celebrated as pioneering works of art.

The internet musicologists' quest for the perfect library record transcends a mere hobby; it is a cultural movement that redefines our engagement with music history. By crafting new libraries from the old, they are not only preserving the past but also recontextualizing it for contemporary audiences. This endeavour challenges traditional notions of musical value and importance, shining a light on the hidden gems that have long been overlooked.

In a world dominated by the ephemeral and the disposable, the work of these curators stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to connect, inspire, and transcend. The elusive and enigmatic perfect library record may remain forever out of reach, but the journey to uncover it is a rich and rewarding exploration of sound, memory, and cultural heritage. As these sui generis internet musicologists persist in their search, they remind us that the past is a spectral presence, a haunting echo in the present, awaiting rediscovery within the grooves of forgotten vinyl.

These digital archivists are actively creating new cultural landscapes, weaving forgotten, marginalized and otherwise ignored sounds into the fabric of contemporary sonic discourse. Their work is a testament to the enduring power of curiosity and the unexpected treasures hidden within the periphery of musical history.

Functioning as cultural engineers, they recalibrate the parameters of musical significance, challenging predominant historical narratives and elevating previously marginalized works. Their endeavours offer a compelling counterpoint to our era's algorithmic curation and streaming ubiquity, presenting a humanist exploration of sound that expands our comprehension of music's role in shaping cultural identity and collective memory.

Their curatorial exercise has engendered a vibrant community, transforming digital forums into arenas for dynamic discourse. Enthusiasts engage in collaborative discovery, metamorphosing the act of listening into a collective archaeological enterprise. Each upload serves as a potential catalyst for unveiling latent connections between forgotten compositions, reminding us that beyond the mainstream lies a vast, unexplored sonic territory teeming with creativity and innovation.

This quest, at its core, prompts a reevaluation of our preconceptions regarding sound creation, consumption, and meaning. As these digital excavations persist, their protagonists extend an invitation to partake in this odyssey—a voyage through the sonic depths of yesteryear in pursuit of an as-yet unimagined future.

By fostering this community and redefining musical value, these cultural engineers actively reshape the landscape of musical appreciation and historical understanding. Their work represents a paradigm shift in how we engage with our sonic heritage, offering new perspectives on the intricate relationship between sound, culture, and time, and illuminating the rich tapestry of creativity that exists beyond the algorithmically curated mainstream.

The Internet as a Temporal Apparatus

The internet, far from being a mere conduit for information, constitutes a complex, dynamic system that fundamentally restructures our perception of temporality. It is not simply a tool for communication, but a medium through which we actively negotiate our existence within time. This digital expanse dissolves the traditional boundaries between past, present, and future, engendering a novel temporal regime.

Rather than a linear progression, the internet manifests as a rhizomatic structure. This non-hierarchical, interconnected network echoes the internet's own architecture, a complex interplay of nodes. It offers a plurality of temporal pathways, deviating from the chronological linearity that has historically structured human experience. This temporal deterritorialization disrupts the conventional sequence of chronological experience, fostering, encouraging and actively enabling a nomadic movement through time.

Thus, the internet is not merely a passive receptacle of information, but an active producer of time. It accelerates the pace of existence, compressing temporal distances into a perpetual present. This dromological condition, characterized by speed and immediacy, is intrinsic to the digital age. The internet epitomizes this temporal compression, collapsing distinctions between simultaneity and succession. In essence, online content functions as a time machine, transporting us to the precipice of a ceaseless now.

The virtual realm is often misconstrued as a counterpoint to the physical but is a dimension of it. The virtual is not opposed to the real but to the actual. The internet, as a virtual space, harbours multiple temporalities. It serves as a repository for the past, a stage for the present, and a laboratory for simulating the future. This virtual temporality challenges the traditional binary of real and unreal, creating a fluid, interconnected continuum.

The internet, as a machinic assemblage, is a composite of human and non-human elements collectively generating time. A dynamic entity in constant flux, it evolves through its interactions. This machinic temporality diverges from the linear, subjective experience of time. It is a shared, collective time, produced through the interplay of countless interconnected components.

Impact on Memory and Nostalgia

The internet, defined as a complex chronological regime, fundamentally reconfigures the contours of memory. No longer confined to the subjective realm of the individual, memory becomes a collective, digitally mediated construct. The internet functions as a vast and ever-mutating archive, preserving and disseminating cultural capital, personal experiences, and historical events. This infinite digital repository offers unprecedented access to the past, inviting a constant re-examination of the self and society.

YouTube, a microcosm of this digital memory, showcases the platform's power to curate and disseminate nostalgia. By preserving and promoting niche genres and forgotten tracks, these platforms evoke a longing for a bygone era. Yet, this digitally induced nostalgia is a complex phenomenon, a chimaera of the past and present. The immediacy of access and the ease of consumption distort the original temporal and cultural context of these re-emerging histories.

As the boundary between the real and the simulated blurs, so too does the distinction between authentic recollection and manufactured nostalgia.

The concept of the machinic assemblage offers a framework for understanding the complex interplay between memory, technology, and desire. YouTube integrates human curators, algorithms, and a vast array of digital infrastructures. This intricate network shapes the user's experience, filtering and ordering the musical archive to create a personalized narrative of the past. However, this curated ontology, while offering a sense of agency, can also be limiting, as it risks reinforcing existing preferences and excluding alternative perspectives.

The interplay between memory and forgetting is central to the digital experience. Algorithms, the unseen architects of the digital realm, exert a profound influence over what is remembered and what is forgotten. These computational processes, designed to optimize user experience, inevitably shape the contours of our digital consciousness. YouTube's recommendation system is a prime example of this phenomenon. By prioritizing content that aligns with user preferences, the platform reinforces existing patterns of consumption, potentially leading to a narrowing of cultural horizons.

The digital age, characterized by an abundance of information, paradoxically leads to a form of collective amnesia. The constant influx of new content overshadows older material, creating a culture of impermanence. This digital deluge, combined with the selective nature of algorithmic curation, can erode the depth and richness of cultural memory.

Moreover, the internet facilitates a new form of collective memory, a shared consciousness shaped by digital interactions. Social media platforms, for example, allow for the rapid dissemination of information, images, and videos, creating a shared experience of events. However, this collective memory is often fragmented, superficial, and dominated by trends and fads.

The concept of the simulacrum, as theorized by Baudrillard, is relevant to understanding the nature of digital memory. The constant replication and dissemination of information can lead to a blurring of the lines between the real and the simulated. In this hyperreal world, memory becomes a constructed experience, shaped by algorithms and mediated by screens.

Furthermore, the internet's capacity to manipulate and distort memory is a growing concern. The selective editing of historical footage challenges the very foundations of memory. As the boundaries between truth and fiction blur, the concept of authentic memory becomes increasingly elusive.

Implications for Heritage Preservation

The internet reconfigures the preservation of cultural legacies, transforming it from a static, monolithic endeavour to a dynamic, fluid process. The digital realm democratizes access to rarefied culture, enabling a multiplicity of approaches to documentation and dissemination.

However, this democratization is accompanied by challenges. The commercial imperatives of digital platforms often prioritize profit over preservation. The relentless pursuit of engagement metrics can distort the representation of cultural legacies, privileging popular and easily consumable content over marginalized and underrepresented expressions.

The internet-as-time-machine compresses time and space, allowing for a simultaneous engagement with diverse cultural expressions. Yet, this interconnectedness also presents challenges. The homogenizing forces of globalization, amplified by internet engagement protocols, can erode cultural specificity. As local cultures are exposed to global media, the risk of cultural misappropriation and dilution of traditional practices increases.

The internet serves as a formidable mechanism for the revitalization and preservation of endangered cultural expressions, facilitating the documentation and dissemination of traditional knowledge, languages, and customs. However, the realization of this potential hinges on deliberate and sustained efforts by governments, cultural institutions, and digital platforms. These entities must engage collaboratively to safeguard these cultural heritages, ensuring their transmission to future generations within the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Furthermore, the digital divide exacerbates inequalities in heritage preservation. Communities with limited resources are disadvantaged in documenting and preserving their cultural legacies. Bridging this divide is crucial for equitable access to the benefits of digital preservation.

The internet, a double-edged sword for cultural heritage, offers unprecedented opportunities while posing significant challenges. The commercialization of culture, globalization, and surveillance erode cultural diversity and dissidence. A critical understanding of these dynamics is essential for harnessing the internet’s potential while mitigating its negative impacts.

Algorithms and Digital Amnesia: The Aesthetics of Disappearance

In the digital realm, algorithms function as hidden architects, profoundly shaping the dynamics of memory and erasure. Particularly within music platforms like YouTube, algorithms serve as selective agents, curating a sonic environment that simultaneously reinforces and diminishes memory.

The concept of catastrophic forgetting, observed in artificial intelligence, finds a parallel in human memory degradation. Algorithms, constantly evolving, risk discarding previously acquired information. This phenomenon mirrors the digital age's relentless pursuit of novelty, where older, beloved tracks are often overshadowed by emerging trends, contributing to a form of cultural amnesia that privileges the present over the past.

The relationship between memory and oblivion is further entangled by the commercial imperatives driving digital platforms. The pursuit of profit often results in the prioritization of popular, easily consumable content, reinforcing existing trends while marginalizing niche genres and overlooked artists. This commercial logic fosters a homogenization of musical tastes, narrowing the spectrum of sonic experiences available to users.

In examining the broader implications of this phenomenon, it becomes clear that the internet, as a complex interplay of technology, culture, and society, reshapes our understanding of memory and nostalgia. While providing unprecedented access to information, it simultaneously challenges the authenticity and continuity of memory. The digital age, characterized by immediacy and constant change, demands a critical analysis of how technology influences our perception of the past, present, and future.

The Algorithmic Reconfiguration of Cultural Perception

Our online conscience, dominated by the pervasive influence of algorithms, significantly reconfigures our engagement with cultural products. These computational processes, acting as temporal mechanisms, curate and present artefacts in ways that both enhance and distort our understanding.

As temporal architects, algorithms construct a digital landscape where the past, present, and future converge. The compression of time within these systems enables the coexistence of historical and contemporary artefacts, yet this temporal collapse can obscure the nuanced understanding of historical context, flattening our perception of cultural production.

Algorithmic curation, primarily dictated by data-driven optimization, frequently distorts perceptions of authenticity. The emphasis on maximizing user engagement invariably results in the elevation of familiar or easily consumable content, thus marginalizing the exploration of unconventional, peripheral, or critically challenging materials.

Moreover, the commercial imperatives ingrained within these algorithmic systems further exacerbate this distortion, eroding the intrinsic value of cultural signifiers. The relentless prioritization of profit over preservation risks reducing cultural heritage to mere commodification, stripping it of its role as a vessel of profound meaning and identity, and instead rendering it a superficial commercial product.

A critical engagement with the digital landscape is imperative to counterbalance these challenges. By understanding algorithmic curation mechanisms and seeking diverse cultural content, individuals can cultivate a more nuanced and authentic relationship with cultural artefacts. This demands a commitment to historical context, critical thinking, and exploration beyond algorithmic confines.

Digital Memory and Cultural Fluidity

The internet redefines cultural memory, transforming it from a static entity into a dynamic, fluid construct. The digital realm democratizes access to cultural artefacts, enabling multiple narratives and perspectives, as exemplified by platforms like YouTube, which facilitate the expression of diverse cultural voices.

However, this democratization introduces challenges. The commercial imperatives of digital platforms, driven by engagement metrics, often distort cultural heritage representation by prioritizing popular, easily consumable content over marginalized and underrepresented voices.

The internet, functioning as a temporal apparatus, compresses time and space, fostering simultaneous engagement with diverse cultural traditions. YouTube’s capacity to host a wide array of musical genres promotes cultural exchange, transcending geographical boundaries and cultivating global consciousness.

Yet, this interconnectedness is not without its drawbacks. The homogenizing forces of globalization, amplified by the internet, can erode cultural specificity, risking cultural appropriation and dilution of traditional practices. While the internet connects people globally, it can also contribute to cultural homogenization.

The concept of the machinic assemblage offers a deeper understanding of the digital age's intricate relationship between technology, culture, and society. Platforms like YouTube exemplify this assemblage, where human curators, algorithms, and digital infrastructures converge to shape the dissemination and consumption of cultural artefacts.

However, this integration can lead to homogenization, as algorithms often prioritize content that maximizes engagement and profit, potentially diminishing cultural diversity. This framework highlights how these interconnected elements influence our cultural experiences while also underscoring the risk of obscuring human agency and the unique contexts of cultural expression.

Sui Generis Internet Musicology and Digital Archivism

Curators of obscure sonic artefacts mark a significant shift in the digital landscape. These individuals, function as digital archaeologists, preserving and promoting marginalized musical genres from unique temporal contexts. Their work constitutes a counter-cultural archival practice, challenging the mainstream music industry’s homogenizing tendencies.

Operating within the digital machinic assemblage, these musicologists create networks of sound, knowledge, and community. Their channels, often distinguished by a DIY ethos, resist the professionalized and commercialized nature of the music industry, expanding the available sonic repertoire and offering a counter-narrative to the dominant musical canon.

The rhizome concept is particularly pertinent in understanding the structure of these online communities. These decentralized, non-hierarchical networks, characterized by numerous connections and interactions, exemplify the rhizomatic nature of these digital spaces.

However, the efforts of these sui generis musicologists are not without challenges. The commercial imperatives of online corporations can (and do) undermine their work, as algorithms designed to maximize engagement may marginalize niche content. Additionally, copyright and intellectual property issues can complicate, or even hamper, the preservation and dissemination of rare music.

The work of these internet musicologists is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and fostering a diverse musical landscape. By rescuing forgotten sounds, they contribute to a richer understanding of music’s role in shaping culture and society. Their efforts underscore the significance of independent, grassroots cultural production in countering the mainstream music industry’s hyper-capitalist forces.

The Emergent Destiny of Singular Digital Musicological Practices

The future of sui generis internet musicology is inextricably linked to the evolving digital landscape. Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and virtual reality, present both opportunities and challenges for this subculture.

Artificial intelligence could revolutionize the discovery of obscure music through advanced pattern recognition and data analysis, potentially mapping intricate musical relationships. However, overreliance on algorithmic curation risks further colonization of musical tastes by mass appeal and capitalist exploitation.

Virtual reality opens possibilities for immersive musical experiences, allowing listeners to explore vast sonic libraries in three-dimensional environments, potentially deepening their engagement with music. Yet, these advancements also pose risks. The commercialization of these technologies could lead to the misappropriation of obscure music and the marginalization of independent curators. The rise of deepfakes and synthetic music further complicates the authenticity and integrity of the musical archive.

The unfolding trajectory of unique internet-driven musicology will depend on these curators' ability to adapt to technological changes while preserving the core values of their work. By critically engaging with the digital landscape, they can ensure that the pursuit of obscure music thrives amidst technological advancements.

In conclusion, while the prospects of the convergence of novel internet musicological paradigms are uncertain, they remain filled with potential. By navigating the interplay between human curation and algorithmic logic, these digital archaeologists can continue shaping the musical landscape, preserving the past while embracing future innovations.

Grand Finale: The Best Online Channels for Sui Generis Musicology

Below, is a priceless itinerary-by-link for a melodic journey through a curated selection of sui generis YouTube channels, where the art of musicology finds its most exquisite expression. These digital sanctuaries, unrivalled in their depth and breadth, offer a symphony of knowledge: here, the academic meets the avant-garde, providing both seasoned scholars and curious listeners with a wealth of insights, offering an unparalleled haven for the mind and soul, resonating with the timeless beauty of undiscovered music.

• Alex B provides a fascinating selection of music, offering an engaging blend of genres and styles for diverse listening experiences.

• Alex Reilly features a collection of unique music, showcasing a range of genres with a distinctive personal touch.

• André Navarro II offers a rich selection of music, highlighting rare and intriguing tracks that cater to niche musical tastes.

• a8detective focuses on rare and obscure music, providing a collection of unique tracks for those interested in less-known sounds.

• Audionautas is a treasure trove of rare music, perfect for discovering obscure and captivating tracks from various genres.

• B Movies & Related Self-explanatory archive of mainly Italian Giallo treasures but also other thrilling soundtrack rarities.

Bubba Mo channels offer a vast array of music with each sub-channel focusing on different aspects, including Bubba Mo 12, Bubba Mo 13, Bubba Mo 15, Bubba Mo 16, Bubba Mo 17, Bubba Mo 19, Bubba Mo 21, Bubba Mo 22, Bubba Mo 23, Bubba Mo 24, Bubba Mo Aatte, Bubba Mo Fire, Bubba Mo Ni, Bubba Mo Seks, Bubba Mo Syv, Bubba Mo Ti, and Bubba Mo Universe, each providing a distinctive take on rare and eclectic music.

• Canary Records is a unique imprint, run by the great Ian Nagoski, specializing in re-releasing music by Middle Eastern immigrants to the USA, often unearthing unheard-of recordings from long-forgotten 78 rpm relics.

• Calib Otis Chart curates a unique collection of music, focusing on rare and unusual tracks that offer fresh listening experiences.

• Catfips features a diverse range of music, specializing in rare and interesting tracks from various genres.

• Checkmate 99 offers a collection of rare music, showcasing unique tracks that appeal to those looking for distinctive and lesser-known sounds.

• Collected Compositions presents a wide array of rare and curated music, featuring an extensive playlist of intriguing tracks on Spotify.

• Cultural Cadence & Curiosities offers access to a cornucopia of intensely bizarre tracks that defy categorization, sounding like a radio transmission charting pop hits from another planet.

• DF Notastekamer delivers a unique mix of obscure house, garage and techno music, focusing on rare and eclectic tracks perfect for adventurous DJs with a penchant for vintage sounds.

• Dream Weapons is the dedicated YouTube channel for the long-running and quite exquisite synonymous blog, which is known for its rare and atmospheric compilation mixes featuring obscurities collected from all over the world across time, providing a rich collection of mostly unknown tracks that are both unique and immersive.

• El Sumergible Neuronal offers a selection of rare and atmospheric music, featuring tracks that are both intriguing and immersive.

• European Music Library showcases an extensive collection of rare music, perfect for exploring lesser-known tracks from various genres, with an emphasis on easy listening and library records.

• Forgotten Jewels is a channel that specializes in lounge and easy-listening albums from a permanently bygone era of long-forgotten audio mannerisms

• F P features an eclectic range of music, with a playlist that includes rare and intriguing tracks, accessible via YouTube.

• French Vortex focuses on rare and unique French music, providing an eclectic collection of tracks that highlight the diversity of French sounds.

• Fragments in Wax offers a diverse selection of rare hip-hop and underground beats, with additional content available on Instagram and SoundCloud.

• Gilles Spadari features a collection of rare and intriguing music, highlighting unique tracks that appeal to discerning listeners.

• Groove Central provides a mix of rhythmic genres, mainly funk, disco, rare groove but also other dancefloor-orientated oddities, perfect for creating an engaging atmosphere for dancing and social gatherings.

• growingbin is a record label and channel dedicated to an expansive selection of rereleases from hard-to-find, vintage and otherwise bizarre European jazz and fusion, krautrock, Elektronik, new age, cocktails-by-the-pool / yacht rock, ambient, continental disco, leftfield dance music—and, of course, odd newcomer compilations.

• Hard To Find Vinyls is an excellent resource of full album uploads, concentrating on intensely rare discoveries from all over the world.

• Horatius Rex enthusiastically hosts “eclectic sounds for eclectic people” which includes psychedelic, prog rock, folk, private releases and other esoteric oddities, accompanied by meticulous notes for the pleasure of connoisseurs and obsessives

• hwabian 1 is a charmingly idiosyncratic channel that delves deep into the fascinating world of private press and vanity releases, mainly within the psychedelic folk spectrum

• javierdigranti is a channel where the eponymous DJ collects the best and rarest lounge, jazz, ost and library music.

• krautlounge specializes in rare and eclectic music, focusing on unique tracks that cater to fans of avant-garde and experimental genres.

• leaf swerver is a talented digger of dollar bins and thrift store crates, unearthing ignored, experimental and downright strange records for very discerning listeners.

• Less Known Libraries, Soundtracks & Related offers a diverse range of rare soundtracks and music libraries, ideal for beatmakers and music enthusiasts.

• Library Music Fan Channel A collection of library LPs uploaded in their entirety for the completist connoisseurs.

• lyrkoss is a treasure trove brimming with the most exquisitely rare psychedelic gems, sourced from the most obscure and hard-to-find vinyl and cassettes.

• Music for Empty Rooms features an intriguing collection of rare and atmospheric music, perfect for creating unique listening experiences.

• Music for Empty Rooms II is mainly focused on 80s/90s lofi & experimental sounds as well as a collection of otherworldly mixes for all your listening needs.

• My Music Archive specializes in full album uploads of rare library music records released by Bruton, Chappell, Bosworth and other such specialist imprints

• Nathan’s Media Dump provides an eclectic selection of rare music, with a focus on unusual and interesting tracks from various genres.
  

• Nicolás Guzmán and his affiliated channels (Saturnino Gordon, Nicolás.Gordon, Raúl.Nicolás, Gordon.Banks) are veritable goldmines offering a variety of full album uploads including library finds, obscure soundtracks, rare soul vinyl and much more.

• Patricio Mora has compiled an extensive archive of rarities, obscure soundtracks, odd library finds and other musical curiosities that defy categorization unless one considers the exceptionally eccentric as a taxonomical chapter upon itself.

• Pieceful Production offers a collection of rare and unique tracks, showcasing a variety of intriguing and lesser-known music.

• Radio Orlog is the home of Earl Orlog, showcasing musical rarities and obscurities previously unbeknownst to the digital realms - curated by digger, music expert, DJ and writer Stephan Glietsch

• Rare Loops Oleg Tsoy, and the sister channel Rare Samples & Songs Oleg Tsoy are passion projects for Oleg, a music writer and collector of rare and forgotten sounds.

• Ricardo Maraña has long been a leading figure for enthusiasts of exquisite archival finds and his impeccable YouTube channel features a range of rare and captivating music, perfect for discovering unique and lesser-known tracks.

• Retro Teque offers a nostalgic selection of rare and atmospheric music, featuring tracks that evoke a sense of vintage charm.

• Senior Citizens Music offers a mix of rare and unique tracks, perfect for fans of eclectic and underappreciated music. It’s known for its diverse offerings, available on Spotify.

• Sonor Music Editions showcases rare and intriguing music, focusing on unique tracks that are essential for music enthusiasts. Discover more on Facebook, Bandcamp, and Instagram.

• Sonne Immage offers a unique collection of rare and atmospheric music, providing a range of immersive and captivating tracks.

• Sounds of the Dawn offers a wide range of rare and atmospheric New Age and meditation-orientated music, perfect for discovering unique and immersive soundscapes across multiple platforms. Check out their Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

• Starving Daughters is known for its selection of rare and obscure music sourced from the most recherché corners of library curiosities and long-forgotten soundtracks, offering tracks that are both unique and captivating.

• StumbledOnThis concentrates on ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s sounds with a predilection for melody and charm - also to be found on a private Facebook group.

• Teen en Tander features an intriguing collection of rare and eclectic music, showcasing unique tracks for discerning listeners with a sharp ear for alternative sounds and inexplicably underground niche genres.

• The Armagideon Times is the YouTube channel of Sonor Music Editions (see above), specializing in pop oddities, Italian library records and forgotten European soundtracks.

• Tim Connor is a channel that focuses on vintage Japanese jazz that not only boasts an amazing collection of impossibly rare masterpieces but also offers best-of lists and other user-friendly recommendations.

• urbanpharaoh shares obscure, hidden and neglected music from Australia and New Zealand, focusing on genres such as psych, prog, rock and folk, but also oddities from Australia's 'private press' underworld or anything weird or interesting.

• Vinyl Frontier Extra is dedicated to showcasing rare and collectable vinyl records, providing a fascinating exploration of unique and sought-after albums. Learn more on their website.

• Vinyle Archéologie offers a deep dive into rare and historic vinyl records, focusing on unique finds from the world of vinyl.

• Victor Kiswell provides a comprehensive collection of rare and intriguing sounds beyond the confines of Western music, with extensive resources and updates available on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

• yaoiboi92 focuses on obscure, mostly Japanese sounds, usually long out-of-print or otherwise hard-to-get music ripped from their personal collection.

Text written by Panagiotis Chatzistefanou, exclusively for the Psychonaut Elite, Berlin, August 2024