Collector Interview: Norman Maslov
Posted on February 24 2020
Norman Maslov is a man with a clear eye for design, and makes a stylish case for serious record collections and his love of music. A current Seattleite, but San Francisco native, Norman knows his music! With a growing Youtube channel, and Instagram feed where he shares his current favorites and records from his 6000+ collection. Norman writes, "Since I am self employed I listen to a lot of music. CDs while I'm working (at home now) and then several hours each evening in my sweet spot listing to my records".
Norman uses a Now Spinning LP Block, and several custom and standard genre record dividers. Norman's hifi set up includes a Rega RP8 turntable, Bowers & Wlikins 70s2 s2 Speakers, Rotel Amplification. A second vintage rig downstairs in his office has refurbished JBL 100 speakers with blue foam grills.
Norman's Bio:
I'm a third generation native San Franciscan. Lived there all my life until I moved to Seattle in 2014. I am an Artist's Agent representing a small group of commercial photographers. Prior to this I had a strange ten-year stint in the Recording Industry, starting in retail record stores and later moving on to promoting and marketing artists for several major labels.
I am a passionate music lover, record collector co-author of the very first travel guide of Beatles sites titled The Beatles' England (many years ago). Gin martinis and hats are other items that can frequently be seen on or around me.
Website & Blog: https://www.maslov.com
Instagram: @Manhattman and @Mazzys_Music
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrMDWzUugDhKpBe4MgPiJ1A?view_as=subscriber
Size of your collection:
6000 plus LPs plus thousands of CDs
How do you organize your collection?
(The main wall is everything (rock, folk, blues, country, soul, etc) in alpha order and then chronological by artist. The exceptions and separations are: My Beatles collection including International pressings and cover variations, solo albums, family and friends (Yoko Ono, Linda McCartney, Sean and Julian Lennon, Ravi Shankar, George Martin etc), the entire Apple Records catalogue and any related Beatles cover albums and bootlegs. This is a major addiction.
Jazz. Alpha order
Collections & Soundtracks Cocktail Music (retro lounge and bachelor pad records)
Two flip bins of New Releases and In-Rotation (prior to adding to the full library)
What album/artist are you listening to right now?
In a jazz mode lately playing a variety of reissues from Music Matters Jazz and Blue Note's Tone Poet series.
How long have you been collecting records? How did you get into it?
When did the Beatles and the British Invasion happen? That should give you a clue.
Favorite or biggest music genre in your collection:
Well my Beatles collection is massive, but I am extremely diverse in my musical tastes. I regularly buy lots of new music and new artists. Love jazz and some experimental and avant-garde stuff. But the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s basics are all there too. The Byrds to Gram Parsons, Gene Clark and on, are all amongst my very fave.
Best album to listen to when you’ve had a rough week:
Ravi Shankar and other Indian music relaxes me. Also some jazz records or low key depressing like music like the Red House Painters.
Last record you purchased:
Diagonal by Enric Montefusco (a Spanish artist) and the new reissue of Good by Morphine.
What is your beverage of choice when listening to records?
Gin Martini dry, one olive.
Where do you hunt for vinyl?
Record Stores in Seattle (a hellava lot here) and San Francisco along with every other city I visit. Occasionally Discogs and other online sources.
