CD Review: SoSaLa's 'Nu World Trash'

SoSaLa
Nu World Trash
DooBeeDoo Records

SoSaLa is Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi, a native Persian, who has lived all over the world. As a composer, saxophonist, and music editor, SoSaLa incorporates Central Asian rhythms and instrumentation with free jazz elements and passionate vocals instilling a sense of peace and unity in Iran and throughout the world. Based in New York, SoSaLa seems to have not only acquired the native influences, but the North American styles of jazz, world music, and improvisation are also evident throughout the album. The music is not particularly modern, but it contains whirling rhythms of folk, jazz, and Mediterranean/Middle Eastern music. SoSaLa's primary vocal delivery is related to spoken word--mostly observed in poetic artforms. At any rate, SoSaLa's poetry fills the album with thoughtful ideas and personal observations that fit nicely amidst a backdrop of percussion, strings, and sax. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Seyed Ali Jaberi's 'Psalms of Loneliness'

Seyed Ali Jaberi

Psalms of Loneliness

Hermes Records

Iran's tanbur master, Seyed Ali Jaberi, is classically trained in Iranian folk music. Seyed is joined on rubab, ney flute, kemancheh, guitar, daf, sound effects, and backing vocals. However, a majority of the songs are entirely instrumental with little if any vocalizations. The highlight of the album is the title track. The song takes on a symphonic overtone mixed with dervish rhythms and Mediterranean spice. The opener, 'A Traveler Through The Ocean of Abstraction', is a galloping tune with some vocalizations. The final track, 'A Story Told and Benumbed' begins with the beat of the daf drum and the violin-like shrill of the kemancheh fiddle. Seyed takes on folk music with such gusto he is enveloped in it's historical grasp, but not so much so he loses sight of futuristic visions. The tanbur lights up the tracks and it definitely surprises all who listen. Furthermore, all of the tracks range from five to ten minutes in length. Experience the folk music of Seyed Ali Jaberi for yourself or that special someone. ~ Matthew Forss