Oriental Star Agencies

Oriental Star Agencies was a British record label, that was based in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.[1] Some of the artists introduced by the label include Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Malkit Singh, Alam Lohar, Amjad Sabri, and Bally Sagoo.[2]

History

In 1969, Muhammad Ayub was approached by members of two local bhangra bands – Bhujhangy Group and Anari Sangeet Party – to record their performances, and the success of the following recordings led him to establish the label.[3]

The label was founded in 1970 by Muhammad Ayub, Abdul Ghani and his son Dr Abdul Mohsin Mian.[4] Muhammad Ayub had previously owned a record store with Abdul Ghani importing Indian and Pakistani music into the United Kingdom. The label was founded in 1970 by Muhammad in Balsall Heath. OSA went onto become a leading influence on the Desi music scene, importing, promoting and producing music from the Indian subcontinent as well as nurturing talent among the young Desi diaspora. It remained at its Balsall Heath site until 2017[5]

References

  1. ^ Bugel, Safi (9 August 2023). "'People would have lost their culture': the Birmingham record label that saved south Asian music". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. ^ Zahir, Samina (11 September 2002). "Oriental Star Agencies". In Donnell, Alison (ed.). Companion to Contemporary Black British Culture. London: Routledge (published 2013). p. 239. ISBN 1134700245. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. ^ "Muhammad Ayub ~ Founder of Oriental Star Agencies". 21 April 2013.
  4. ^ Birmingham Musis Archive
  5. ^ "Mohammed Ayub".


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