According to Dick Spottswood's Ethnic Music on Record, the first Greek musical phonograph recording was produced in New York in May, 1896, on the Berliner label. Entitled "Greek Melody No. 1 - Original" it was one of eight songs (seven Greek, one Turkish) recorded by tenor Mixalis Arachtingi (or Arachintzis). No other Greek recordings were produced until 1900, when The Gramophone Company sent a representative to Constantinople (now Istanbul) for an extensive recording session. This was followed by irregular trips to the "Poli," and, in 1910, by a recording session in Smyrna (now Izmir). By 1930, despite a break in recording during the war years, no less than six companies were producing recordings in Greece, not to mention the extensive recording by the Greek diaspora and visiting Greek performers in America. Among the diverse types of music put to disk were, of course, rembetika and cafe aman.
Today, high-quality re-issues of the old 78 rpm recordings, as well as covers performed by contemporary musicians, are readily available. Following is a list of some of my favorites, in no particular order.
The Greek Archives Volumes 1-12 (FM Records)
Each volume in this series focuses on a different place, time, style or era. Volumes 1-3 are rembetika recorded in America between 1920-1940 (Vol. 1) and 1945-1960 (Vol. 2 ); other volumes include songs from Smyrna (one of my favorites!), Constantinople, Songs of the Underground (the hasiklidika), the Women of Rembetika and so on. The recordings are cleaned up, and, though not perfect, are better than other releases I've run across. Best of all, each CD comes with a booklet which includes lyrics and performers' bios (in Greek only), photos, and brief notes on each song (in Greek and English, although often the English notes are not as detailed as the Greek). Unfortunately, little information is given about the original 78's used on these recordings.
Rembetika, Historic Urban Folk Songs from Greece (Rounder Records)
Probably the best single-volume introduction to rembetika and the music of the cafe aman. From Yiannis Tsanakas (1906) to Stratos (1946) and everything in between. Nice job of cleaning up the recordings, too. Includes a booklet with good notes in English, and lyrics in both Greek (plus one in Turkish) and English.
Marika Papagika (Alma Criolla Records)
Nineteen recordings made by Marika Papagika between 1918 and 1929. It might take repeated listenings, but after awhile Marika's voice will take you under its spell. This CD opens with one of the saddest songs in rembetika (and that is saying a lot!) Bournovalio, and ends with the stunning duet, I Varka. Pure magic.
Roza Eskenazi, Autobiographia (Minos/EMI)
One of rembetika and cafe aman's greatest female vocalists. This CD contains songs and excerpts of an interview she made in the early 1970's. Sound is often not as clear as more recent releases, but good nonetheless. No liner notes. Includes one of my favorites, her duet with Markos: Kaloyeros (a.k.a. Varethika tis gkomenes).
Rembetiki Anthologia 1-3 (Moreas Records/Sakkaris)
Three volumes of fun stuff, post WWII. Clear recordings. Only drawback - no notes, no recording dates, no info! Their Zeimbekika (with only one track duplicated between it and the Antholgia) is also a lot of fun. Don't miss "Yerokokkoras"!
Apagorevmena Rembetika Vols. 1-3 (EMI)
EMI's collection of "Forbidden Rembetika, 1927-1937," this is a three volume set of hasiklidhika and outcast rembetika, mostly performed by the first (recorded) generation of rembetika singers: Markos, Delias, Batis, Stratos, etc. The sound quality is not very good, but a nice selection of songs.