BY LAKESH KUMAR
KUCHING: At a cozy shop located close to Riverside Hotel, the warm crackling melody of classic Raya songs plays softly from an old-school vinyl record player.
Like a time machine taking visitors back to the golden age of Raya tunes – the nostalgic songs sung by legends like P. Ramlee, Saloma, M. Ramlee and A. Ramlie fills the air of Heavy Soul Vintage, a shop selling used, vintage clothing, old records, cassettes, compact discs (CDs), and more.
Nazlee Mohamad, better known as Mono – the man behind Heavy Soul Vintage, has spent nearly two decades hunting for rare records, including vintage Raya albums that once graced Malaysian homes during the festive season.
Mono, 43, a musician and dedicated vinyl collector, who started collecting vinyl since 2005, shared with Sarawak Tribune three treasured Hari Raya vinyl records in his collection.
He then referred to the first collection which is titled ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ – first-ever Raya compilation vinyl released in Malaysia in 1973 featuring legendary artistes like P. Ramlee and Saloma.
“This vinyl is often called LP (long play) Raya Batik because of its batik-inspired cover design. It was never reissued.
“I managed to source for two copies of these vinyls and had sold one of them to a local here at a price of RM1,000. The other one I will keep for my own collection,” he said.
Next to it is another sought-after gem, the ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ vinyl which was released in 1977.
“This is affectionately known as LP Raya Ketupat because of its ketupat-themed cover. I still have a few copies of this and selling them at a price of RM800 each,” he said.
These records he sourced from families who inherited them from their elderly.
The third and rarest vinyl in his collection, Mono said, is the ‘Riang Raya Aidilfitri’ which is a promo-only release from the 1980s, originally distributed exclusively to radio DJs.
“This one was never sold to the public. Back then, radio stations only played music from vinyl, so they had special editions that didn’t make it to record stores.
“Thus, this makes the promo copy incredibly rare,” he said, adding that this piece is sold at RM500 each.
Mono said he acquired it from a DJ’s descendants, but could not recall who they were.
Though vinyl records are often associated with collectors and music enthusiasts, Hari Raya vinyl holds a special appeal, even for casual listeners.
“Some people are willing to pay a high price because these records are no longer being produced.
“For example, the ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ vinyl can fetch up to RM1,500, depending on its condition. The same goes for LP Raya Ketupat,” he said.
Listening to Raya songs on vinyl is a vastly different experience from simply playing them on a digital streaming platform.
For Mono, he said the sound is more authentic.
“If you play it on an old turntable with vintage speakers, the analogue sound makes it feel like you’re really back in the ’60s or ‘70s,” he said.
He believed that each vinyl holds a piece of the past, and Raya vinyls help to bring back the warmth of festive gatherings.
He then contrasts this with modern digital formats.
“Today’s music is compressed, which means some of the original sound details get lost.
“Vinyl is like the master recording – you’re hearing the music as it was originally meant to be heard,” he said.
For Mono, the experience of playing vinyl, from placing the needle on the record to hearing the soft crackle before the music starts, is all part of the magic.
“It’s more than just listening – it’s reliving a moment in time,” he said.
Mono’s love for vinyl began in childhood, influenced by his late father, who was also a collector too.
“My father had his own vinyl collection, but when cassettes and CDs became popular, records started disappearing.
“Then our player broke, and vinyl slowly faded from our home,” he said.
Years later, when travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Mono rediscovered his passion for records.
“I started remembering how it felt as a child, listening to vinyl at home.
“That nostalgia brought me back, and I started collecting in 2005,” he said, adding that he started selling his collection in 2021.
Since then, he has amassed a personal collection of vinyl, cassettes, and even CDs, though he focuses primarily on records.
“I have quite a few collections. Those that I really like, I will keep. The rest is to let go,” he said.
At Heavy Soul Vintage, some of his collection is for sale, while others remain on display for visitors to admire.
Interestingly, many young people are showing an interest in vinyl, even if they have never owned a record player before.
“Some just come to listen. They see something different, something special. They’re curious because they’ve never seen a vinyl record in action before,” he said.
For those who want to buy, Heavy Soul Vintage provides a player to test records before purchasing, whether it’s a vinyl, cassette or CD.
Mono also updates his shop’s latest arrivals on Instagram and TikTok (@heavysoulvintage), where vinyl enthusiasts can keep track of new stock and rare finds.
