Bahraini record store Tasjeelat stocks vinyls and hosts live performances. Photo: Tasjeelat
Bahraini record store Tasjeelat stocks vinyls and hosts live performances. Photo: Tasjeelat
Bahraini record store Tasjeelat stocks vinyls and hosts live performances. Photo: Tasjeelat
Bahraini record store Tasjeelat stocks vinyls and hosts live performances. Photo: Tasjeelat

Tasjeelat: how Bahrain's new record store is amplifying regional talent


  • English
  • Arabic

A recently opened record shop concept is spinning a new tune for music lovers in Bahrain.

The brainchild of Ali Al Saeed – owner of music label Museland Records – Tasjeelat aims to not only bring Bahrainis the latest in eclectic music from around the world, but also host a bevy of cultural events.

The store, named after the Arabic word for "recordings", opened its doors in Manama’s Andalus Garden in July.

Al Saeed has been a fixture of the Gulf’s music scene for the past decade, with his Museland label releasing records by local bands, bringing new artists to the region, and staging everything from intimate pop-up gigs to a huge festival at Bahrain’s Coral Bay.

Ali Al Saeed turned to selling records through Instagram during the start of the pandemic, before realising his dream to open a shop. Photo: Tasjeelat
Ali Al Saeed turned to selling records through Instagram during the start of the pandemic, before realising his dream to open a shop. Photo: Tasjeelat

Until last year, Museland had been busy putting on live events across the region, including introducing a new concept in Saudi Arabia.

“We’d launched the Musenight concert series in Saudi Arabia to a sold-out crowd. It was phenomenal,” he tells The National of Alkhobar event, which gives a platform to alternative local or regional acts. “There was a real build-up in interest and we were ready to roll it out right across the country – then everything shut down.”

When pandemic-enforced lockdowns hit, Al Saeed was instead compelled to turn his attention online, selling records directly from his Instagram account.

“I created this Instagram account without telling anyone I knew,” he says. “It was just an experiment, but to my surprise it tapped into a whole new community.”

As he delivered purchases, Al Saeed met vinyl collectors around the country, many of whom opened their doors to show him their record collections.

“We’d talk about music and gigs and everything else. It was a fascinating part of the journey."

This gave Al Saeed the confidence to progress his idea into a more tangible form, seeing the potential to turn his social media account into a fully fledged record store. After finding a suitable location, Al Saeed set about perfecting his vision for Tasjeelat. The store held its soft launch on July 17 and now offers regular opening hours in its intimate space.

“I’ve always wanted to create a space that combines those passions of mine. So when this space became available at Andalus Park, I just had to go for it,” he says.

The store continues Museland’s mission of championing alternative music, and Al Saeed has been encouraged by the positive reaction to the more experimental records he’s been posting on his Instagram.

“I try to mix it up,” he says. “There’s a lot of focus on jazz, hip-hop and independent music, as well as ambient or experimental releases. When I see people picking up Brian Eno or Flying Lotus records, it’s quite rewarding.”

The store will also host a range of cultural events as part of Museland’s Sound + Fiction imprint, in collaboration with songwriter Ali Milad and sound artist Hasan Hujairi.

“We’re trying to find ways to turn Tasjeelat into more than just a record store,” says Hujairi. “We see it as a space where we could come together to share and learn different ideas connected to our interest in music.”

The team recently launched Communal Calibrations, a platform that presents live music performances, lectures and workshops, held with Covid-19 safety rules and regulations in place.

As part of the initiative, on Saturday, the store will host a live performance of a piece by John Cage titled How to Get Started.

“John Cage is a composer I really look up to,” Hujairi says. “I am pushing for this event because I hope it will slowly change attitudes and understanding of contemporary music practices that are generally not experienced in Bahrain and many places around the Gulf.”

Visitors can also check out regular nights such as Noisy Neighbours, a series of improvised, experimental live sessions, and Off the Record, where local artists get a chance to perform and discuss their music.

Live shows aside, Al Saeed is pleased to see that staple of the record store appearing at Tasjeelat: the regulars flipping through shelves of vinyl. Many of the people he delivered records to in his early Instagram days are now coming to him at the store.

As for the future, Al Saeed wants to maintain Museland’s eclectic approach, after hosting Tasjeelat pop-ups at City Centre’s concept store Are We Awake and Soul Culture in Saar.

“The idea is that it grew from an Instagram account to pop-ups and now it’s a physical store. We’d like to continue that with random events and venues.”

Tasjeelat is open at Andalus Park, Palace Avenue, Manama, from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays and Saturdays to Sundays. More information on performances is available at instagram.com/tasjeelat.bh

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:

1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition

Key facilities
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Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

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Bantamweight

Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

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Featherweight

Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

(Round 1 submission, armbar)

Catchweight 80kg

Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)

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Lightweight

Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)

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Lightweight

Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)

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Bantamweight

Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

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Featherweight

Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

(Round 1 rear naked choke)

Flyweight

Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)

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Lightweight

Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)

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Catchweight 73kg

Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)

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Bantamweight world title

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Flyweight world title

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Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

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Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Updated: August 26, 2021, 9:49 AM