HCM CITY—  A series of new albums of vinyl records (analog recordings) were released recently in HCM City, introducing a new element in the local industry that is dominated by digital CDs and DVDs.

The album, titled Lênh Đênh Nhớ Phố (Nostalgia for the Old Streets), was produced by Trần Đức Store CD-LP-Mastertopes, features music by late songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn.

It includes 10 songs performed by female singer Giang Trang. 

The record in acoustic style is the vinyl version of Trang’s debut CD that she released in 2012.

In her new version, Trang worked with violinist Anh Tú and guitarist Anh Hoàng. 

"We decided to use analog technology to make our new production original and with perfect sound," said Trang.

Other vinyl albums, Vinh Quang Việt Nam (Glory Việt Nam), Mùa Thu Không Trở Lại (Autumn doesn’t Return) and Hà Nội Mùa Vắng Những Cơn Mưa (Hà Nội without Rains), feature talented singers such as People’s Artist Lê Dung and Phạm Thu Hà.

The works’ producers, Trẻ Film Studio and MFC Star Group, the city’s leading entertainment agencies, spent a lot in both production and marketing.

“A vinyl record has grooves carved into it that mirrors the original sound's waveform. This means no information is lost. The output of a record player is analog and can be fed directly to the amplifier with no conversion,” said composer and music producer Đức Trí of Music Faces Records.

Trí, who has 15 years of experience in recording, said that singers and producers invest in vinyl recording because they want their fans to feel the sounds of music deeply.

In 2016, Trí and his staff produced several vinyl albums, including Tình Ca Phạm Duy (Love Songs by Phạm Duy) and Lặng Lẽ Tiếng Dương Cầm (Piano Sounds), both of which are still well-regarded by music lovers.

The two albums feature music by late famous composers Phạm Duy and Nguyễn Ánh 9, who played a role in the country’s contemporary music.  

Despite the high price, around VNĐ300,000 (US$22), more than 3,500 copies of Lặng Lẽ Tiếng Dương Cầm were sold in the first month of their release in HCM City.

“In the 1960s when vinyl was the only source of high-quality recorded music, fans found it hard to produce it because of its high cost. That remains so today also,” said Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, director of the Audio Space, a leading distributor in HCM City.

Thiện’s company has distributed several vinyl albums in recent years, such as Vinh Quang Việt Nam (Glorious Việt Nam), Mùa Thu Không Trở Lại (Autumn Didn’t Return) and Hà Nội Mùa Vắng Những Cơn Mưa (Hà Nội without Rain).

These albums feature talented singers Phạm Thu Hà, Hồng Vi, Mạnh Hùng and People’s Artist Lê Dung.

According to Thiện, analog turntables are offered by professional suppliers and cost up to VNĐ120 million (US$10,000), depending on quality.

“A vinyl album sells for around VNĐ1 million ($45), 10 times the cost of a digital CD or DVD,” he said.  

After 18 years of singng, pop star Đức Tuấn will soon release his first vinyl album, titled Phú Quang in Symphony, a production featuring songwriter and musician Phú Quang.

The work will include ballad songs in praise of women and love.   

“The waveforms from a vinyl recording could be more accurate and be heard in the richness of the sound,” said Tuấn, adding that he wanted to offer a pure and simple voice to his fans.

More than 2,500 copies will be produced.— VNS