The Music Of Islam

Music Of Islam (Celestial Harmonies Series)

Voted the Best Traditional World Music recording at the 1998 AFIM Indie Awards (Association for Independent Music). Ten years in the making, The Music of Islam series recorded in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran and Qatar represents the most comprehensive sound documentation available to Westerners today of a world religion dating back to 622. With nearly 80 minutes playing time, this recording is a complete introduction to the series, featuring one selection from each of the fifteen volumes, seventeen CDs respectively. The musicians and reciters are masters of their chosen art, regionally and worldwide, with numerous years of intense study (or a lifetime devotion to studying) from a long lineage of great composers, reciters, mystics and spiritual leaders, such as the world-famous Whirling Dervishes of Turkey and living legend Ustad Bary Fateh Ali Khan of Pakistan. A perfect gift for world music lovers from novice to connoisseur, and a starting place for those interested in exploring The Music of Islam series.

Middle East

Egypt

Ocean Of Remembrance

Oruj Guvenc

This CD exemplifies both the aesthetic and the consciousness-altering qualities of the Sufi musical tradition. Soaring improvisations on the Ney flute, Oud lute, and sacred vocal hymns accompany Zhikrs, which are the trance-inducing, repetitive chanting of God's names. The incomparable intensity and spiritual depth of the music will encourage both contemplative listening and meditation.

Middle East

Turkey

Fish On The Desert

R.A. Fish

On his second Lyrichord CD, world percussionist and dumbek master R. A. Fish takes you on a wild exploration of traditional Middle Eastern rhythms, improvisations and stunning ensemble performances that reach to the very core of the North African musical experience. The dumbek, tar, and riq head a virtuosic line-up of musicians performing on oud, qanun, saz, shenai, and other instruments. Selections include all the signature rhythms used in Middle Eastern dance, with written notations provided. Celebrated frame drummer Randy Crafton joins on bendir and the great Iranian poet and Rumi scholar Sharam T. Shiva recites a profoundly moving allegoriocal poem in Farsi, accompanied by Fish and Company. Rhythmic Essence/Fish on the Desert is a master's tour of traditional and original North African music that is propelled by the driving beat of that region's small but powerful ancient drum, the dumbek.

Middle East

Iran

Prayer for Soul of Layla

Jamshied Sharifi

In Middle Eastern and many other traditions, the weaving of a rug or kilim tells the story of a people or event. In this dynamic recording, Jamshied Sharifi explores and expands upon the music of his Iranian heritage, interweaving Middle Eastern melodies, West African rhythms and incandescent vocals from an international array of artists.

Middle East

Iran

Duo De Ud

Munir Bachir, Omar Bashir

Renowned oud master Munir Bashir died in 1997, but not before leaving behind a legacy of music like few artists from Iraq. As part of a movement in the '30s to revive and innovate on the old forms of Persian classical music, the Bashir family became an integral part of a new cultural advancement. Munir Bashir has traveled around the world, working with small ensembles and orchestras, giving life to the ancient songs of his home. This recording offers an unusual look at the artist, in a duet setting with his son Omar. There is no percussion, just the two string players. They alternate between and sometimes combine the classical repertoire and popular musical forms, depending on brilliant improvisational skills to bridge and unite the two. They freely mix Persian, Kurdish, and even Turkish songs, offering chances for each player to expand the horizons of the original piece with his own spirit and talents.

Middle East

Iraq

Tar Of Malik Mansurov

Malik Mansurov

Malik Mansurov: a Master of classical Azeri music. Azeri classical music, although less well-known, is very close to Persian music: a musician must be able to improvize inside the strict structure of a given musical mode. In this record, Master Mansurov plays a series of improvisations on several musical modes on the tar, a lute which is the symbol of Azeri classical music. Not only is he an impressive virtuoso, but he also shows a great subtelty in the way he handles the spirit of the modes. A necessary record for anyone interested in Middle-Eastern classical music.

Middle East

Iran

As Night Falls On The Silk Road

Ghazal

This is the second release to feature the exceptional collaboration between Persian and Indian musical masters and it is every bit as good. Kayhan Kalhor is a consummate player of the kamancheh (Persian spike fiddle). In Kalhor's hands this instrument has a range of expression from gentle melancholy to fiery passion. Shujaat Hussain Khan is the masterful sitarist of this musical meeting. His pure tone and technique create watery cascades of notes, and at other times, eruptions of bright sparks of sound. Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla virtuoso, provides the rhythmic foundation and deft percussive ornamentation. The four long pieces on this title are rich treasure troves of classical technique and dazzling improvisation. The marvelous interplay between the bowed kamancheh, the plucked sitar, the struck tabla, and the warm vocals, exemplify not only the meeting of the remarkable minds of the musicians, but also the joining of two rich musical traditions finding harmonious common ground.

Middle East

Iran

Zaghareed: Music From The Palestinian Holy Land

El-Funoun

Since 1979 this intrepid troupe of singers, musicians, and dancers has worked to revive the folk music of Palestine. Far from being a dry academic exercise, El-Funoun have become a vital part of the cultural identity of the Palestinian people. Zaghareed is a concept album based on the music played during a traditional wedding ceremony. It subtly challenges the traditions of arranged marriages and of the woman's place in society, within a context of beautifully played Arabic music. Instrumental pieces feature qanun, oud, buzuq, flutes, and reed instruments, and various percussion. The vocal songs join the voices of women and men, at times singing in contrast to one another, at others raising their voices in unity, celebration, and perseverance.

Middle East

Palestine

Through Eternity: Homage To Molavi (Rumi)

Shahram Nazeri

12-century Persian poet Jallalidin Mohammede Balkhi Molavi, a.k.a. Rumi, is probably more famous now than he was during his lifetime due to the proliferation of new music being made in his honor by contemporary poets and musicians. While much Western ambient and pseudospiritual music is made in his name these days, there is still a continuing tradition of respect and creation carried on by Iranian artists, and this CD is a testament to his inspiration. Dastan includes Kayhan Kalhor on setar and kamancheh, Pejman Hadadi on percussion, Hamid Motebassem on setar and tar, and Hossein Behroozi-Nia on barbat. These are all well-respected artists in their own right, which makes Dastan a major ensemble in the Persian music world. But the center of this recording is singer Shahram Nazeri, one of Persian music's great classical singers, whose powerful vocals dominate the music here. Expertly performed and beautifully recorded, Homage rises above the already high standards of these musicians. --Louis Gibson

Middle East

Iran