See, that’s what the app is perfect for.

Chasing the Shadow of Bryn Jones

I wanted to create a blog documenting the many images associated with Bryn Jones' project Muslimgauze. My hope in doing so is to introduce people not just to his music, but also to the causes around which much of his music revolved. His primary goal was to create protest music to raise awareness of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and to advocate for an end to the injustice and atrocities the Palestinian people have suffered since 1948 from this conflict. In addition to this cause, Jones also released numerous albums detailing other conflicts and historical events in the Middle and Far East, as well as aspects of Islamic history, culture, and politics. I will do my best to provide further reading in relevant posts. It should also be noted that throughout his life, Bryn Jones had next to no input on the graphic design of his albums, preferring to exclusively deal with the musical aspect. As a result, many of the artists in charge were given free reign, and often chose artwork that could be seen as (and frankly, often was) reducing the diverse cultures of Africa and Asia to an aesthetic. In response to this, I will do my best to also provide information about the different cultures represented in the artwork whenever possible. Islamophobia as well as Antisemitism are horrific and deadly prejudices to hold onto, and I condemn both equally. Free Palestine Now.

Gulf Between Us, released on March 3rd, 1997.
Catalog number: SOL 49 CD (Soleilmoon Recordings)
Limited to approximately 907 copies.
Photography by Derek Peterson and aerial photos by NASA.

gulf between us muslimgauze bryn jones soleilmoon

Hand of Fatima, released posthumously on June 11th, 1999.
Catalog number: SOL 90 CD (Soleilmoon Recordings)
Limited to 1000 copies.
Sleeve note on inside of case reads:
“Say, I fly for refuge unto the Lord of the Daybreak, that he may deliver me from the mischief of those things which he hath created.” - The Koran; The Chapter of the Daybreak

The title of the album refers to an alternate name for the Hamsa, a symbol commonly associated with warding off evil, as well as providing strength. Within Muslim cultures, it is commonly called the Hand of Fatima in reference to Fatima Al Zahra, who was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. The hand of Fatima is said to symbolize the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (Faith), Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Alms), Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Photography for this album was done by André Thijssen

muslimgauze hand of fatima hamsa soleilmoon posthumous release tw gore

Hamas Arc, released in October of 1993.
Catalog number: STCD 051 (Staalplaat)
This album came with an insert for an exclusive tape, titled Satyajit Eye, with these instructions:
“Cut out this original cover for a Muslimgauze DAT tape release with special remixes. Send it to Staalplaat PO BOX 11453 1001 GL Amsterdam The Netherlands with a 60 minutes DAT tape, 6 IRC’s and you will receive this special edition which will not be available in any other format.”
Dedicated to the P.L.O.

Photograph on cover is “Veiled women practice shooting on the outskirts…” by Jean Gaumy, taken northeast of Tehran, Iran in 1986.

muslimgauze bryn jones hamas arc staalplaat

Mort Aux Vaches, released in April of 1998.
Created as part of the Mort Aux Vaches series, a broadcast series commissioned by the Dutch broadcasting corporation Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep.
Limited to 1000 hand-numbered copies.

muslimgauze mort aux vaches staalplaat bryn jones VPRO

Al-Zulfiquar Shaheed, released in December of 1994.
Catalog number: TCD 01 (T.4)
Dedicated to every Arab killed by Israël.

muslimgauze al-zulfiquar shaheed free palestine bryn jones

Arab Quarter, released on October 31st, 1996.
Catalog number: SOL 44 CD (Soleilmoon Recordings)

“Dedicated to Palestinians living under Israel’s jackboot.
I cannot begin to know how it feels,
I can only understand the revenge taken” - Bryn Jones

muslimgauze arab quarter soleilmoon bryn jones free palestine

Narcotic, released on June 10th, 1997.
Catalog number: STCD 122 (Staalplaat)
Portrait featured on the cover of the album is a variation of an illustration by an anonymous Indian artist of Chandra Shekhar Azad, an Indian freedom fighter who helped reorganize the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army. The illustration on the back of the case appears to be a portrayal of Azad’s death, where he was surrounded by police in Azad Park, and subsequently shot himself so as to not be captured by the British.

muslimgauze bryn jones narcotic chandra shekhar azad HSRA

Betrayal, released in November of 1993.
Catalog number: ST CD 058 (Staalplaat)
Dedicated to a united Arab response.

muslimgauze bryn jones staalplaat betrayal

Zuriff Moussa, released on November 11th, 1997.
Catalog number: MUSLIMLIM 012
Limited to 700 hand-numbered copies.
Part of the Muslimgauze Subscription series.

Text on inside of digipak reads:
Zurif - Palestinian Village. Moussa - Hamas Martyr.
Dedicated to Abdullah Kalil Abdullah, Palestinian killed by Israel.
“Your blood will not be wasted, and the answer will be in Tel Aviv” - quote from a chant at his burial.

muslimgauze zuriff moussa bryn jones free palestine

Salaam Alekum, Bastard, released on February 5th 1995.
Catalog number: SOL 25 CD (Soleilmoon Recordings)
Limited to approximately 1850 copies.
Dedicated to the invisible hands of revenge.

muslimgauze bryn jones salaam alekum bastard soleilmoon free palestine