Jalopy Records are to release a new album of fiddle music from across the globe, focusing on recordings from the first half of the 20th century. The Secret Museum of Mankind: Atlas of Instruments – Fiddles Vol. 1 will be released September 15 in LP and digital form. It was compiled by record collector Pat Conte, who has been referred to as a ‘walking cultural treasure’ for his preservation of old, often obscure recordings.

A double-sided digital single has already been released from the album, consisting of the songs ‘Volana Fenomanana (Fandihizana Malagasy)’, recorded in Madagascar in 1930, and ‘Okukomawe’, recorded in Uganda in 1948, with another double single due on August 16. That one will include Jabe Dillon’s ‘Brown Skin Girl’, recorded in Mississippi in 1948, and ‘Igletveiten’, recorded in Oslo, Norway in 1939.

The vinyl edition of the album will come in a gatefold package, featuring liner notes by curator Pat Conte, original drawings of rare and unique fiddles in Conte’s collection by artist Jeff Tocci, a selection of historic images of fiddlers, also curated and drawn by Conte, as well as remastered audio by Don Fierro.

There will also be a limited edition LP + Lithograph combo of only 75 copies. This will come with an art print of fiddles taken from the cover artwork.

The compilation album The Secret Museum of Mankind: Atlas of Instruments – Fiddles Vol. 1 will be out on September 15 via Jalopy Records. Pre-orders available from https://jalopyrecords.bandcamp.com/track/okukomawe-abadongo-abaganda-kampala-uganda-ca-1948