About Metamusik Festival Berlin ’74
Metamusik Festival Berlin ’74 is a live album by Pakistani classical vocalist Salamat Ali Khan. The recording captures a 1974 performance at the Metamusik Festival in Berlin, Germany. Black Truffle released the album officially on June 6, 2025, as a 12\" vinyl format.
Salamat Ali Khan presents a single raga across the album’s four tracks. The performance begins with an unaccompanied announcement by Khan, followed by three compositions in Raag Megh. The sequence includes a vilambit khayal in ektal, a madhya khayal in jhaptal, and a tarana in teental. The recording preserves the improvisational structure and rhythmic intricacy characteristic of the Sham Chaurasia gharana, to which Khan belonged.
The album’s liner notes and mastering details remain undisclosed as of the release date. Black Truffle produced the vinyl with no additional remastering or overdubbing information provided. The label’s catalog frequently features archival and experimental music, though specific production credits for this release are not publicly documented.
Salamat Ali Khan (1934–2001) was a prominent exponent of the khayal tradition in Hindustani classical music. His collaborations with his nephew, Sharafat Ali Khan, and performances at international festivals contributed to the global recognition of Pakistani classical vocalism. The Berlin 1974 concert represents one of his few commercially released live recordings from European appearances.
The 2025 release coincides with renewed interest in archival South Asian classical performances. Black Truffle’s edition marks the first official issuance of this material, though bootleg copies and private recordings of the concert circulated among collectors prior to the vinyl release.