Ali Sherif Al Askari: From Vinyl Collector to Sonic Innovator

In an era where digital convenience often overshadows analog depth, Ali Sherif Al Askari stands out as a musician who reveres the past while pioneering the future. Known for his genre-defying guitar work and production mastery, Ali’s lifelong love for vinyl has become more than a hobby—it’s a key to his creative process and sonic signature.

The Roots of a Sonic Curator

Ali Sherif Al Askari’s journey into music was shaped early by the tactile world of vinyl. Growing up surrounded by records featuring classic British rock legends like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and King Crimson, alongside vintage Middle Eastern greats like Fairuz, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Omar Khorshid, Ali developed an ear for tone, dynamics, and emotional storytelling.

His collection, now vast and curated with care, has become a source of endless inspiration. “Each record tells a story not just musically, but culturally,” says Ali. “Listening to a vinyl record is like time-traveling. The warmth, the imperfections, the space between notes—all of that informs how I approach sound today.”

Bridging Eras Through Sound

Ali’s work as a guitarist, composer, and producer reflects this blend of old and new. From the analog textures he emulates in his digital mixes to the retro-inspired guitar tones he uses in live shows, the influence of vinyl is always present. His use of tape saturation, spring reverb, and tube preamps in production sessions is a nod to the classic recordings he grew up with.

In his band Desert Echoes, and now in his solo work, Ali blends the nostalgia of analog warmth with modern production precision. Albums like Echoes of the Dunes and the upcoming Between Two Worlds showcase a deliberate balance: retro influences are filtered through a contemporary lens, creating music that feels both familiar and fresh.

Vinyl as a Teaching Tool

As an educator at BIMM London, Ali Sherif Al Askari uses his vinyl collection not just for personal inspiration, but as an educational resource. In workshops and lectures, he plays selections from vintage records to demonstrate arrangement techniques, dynamic range, and tonal layering. Students gain a deeper understanding of how sonic textures can convey emotion, and how production has evolved across decades.

He also encourages his students to explore non-Western vinyl and introduces them to Arabic records that use maqam-based compositions, giving them a broader musical vocabulary and cultural awareness. “To understand where music is going, you have to know where it came from,” he often tells them.

A Personal Soundtrack

For Ali Sherif Al Askari, vinyl collecting isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a way of life. Whether crate-digging in the back alleys of Camden or vintage record shops in old Dubai, he sees vinyl as a personal soundtrack to his artistic evolution.

Even his upcoming solo album, Between Two Worlds, reflects the influence of his collection. The album includes subtle homages to old Arabic funk grooves, psychedelic guitar riffs from 70s rock, and production aesthetics drawn from classic vinyl-era recordings.

Preserving the Past, Inventing the Future

Ali Sherif Al Askari continues to build a bridge between generations, cultures, and sound philosophies. His vinyl collection, much like his musical identity, is diverse, intentional, and deeply soulful. By honoring the textures and traditions of the past, Ali crafts a musical future that is rich with depth and originality.

In a world rushing toward the next trend, Ali Sherif Al Askari remains grounded in the timeless magic of analog, proving that innovation and tradition can coexist in perfect harmony—one groove at a time.