CD Review: Solvguttene and Kudsi Erguner's 'Pervane'

Solvguttene with Kudsi Erguner
Pervane: Floyet fra Guds Hand
KKV

The music of Solvguttene is steeped in the rich, classic melodies and instrumentation of Turkey with some lyrics by Norway's Henrik Wergeland and Hans Nielsen Hauge. The symphonic choral pieces represent a seemingly unlikely connection between Norway's religious choral constructions and Turkey's Sufi poetry. However, the result works with flying colors and effervescent flutes. Flute legend, Kudsi Erguner, vocalist Bora Uymaz, qanun player Serkan Halili, percussionist Hamdi Akatay, pianist Andreas Utnem, and double bass player, Jo Fougner Skaansar, round out the musical repertoire. The music is dreamy, Middle Eastern, angelic, and new age all wrapped into one indelible package. The swirling, dervish rhythms and instrumentation is somewhat Renaissance-themed, but that is just the old nature of the instruments and cross-cultural influences throughout Central Asia and Europe. At any rate, Solvguttene and Kudsi Erguner bring us a lively instrumental and vocal medley of world music with sauntering melodies that are mature and unforgettable. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat's 'Twinklings Of Hope'

Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat
Twinklings Of Hope
KKV

Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat are back at it again with poems, lullabies, and folk songs from Persia and backed by the ney, setar, daf, percussion, and vocals. The Persian melodies are folkish and evocative. The end result is a classical approach to Persian sensibilities. The instrumentation works together quite well with all of the instruments showcasing their brilliant qualities equally. There are poems by Hafez, Rumi, Hooshang Ebtehaj, Mohammad Jafari, Attar, and Esfehani. There are eleven tracks in all. Fans of Azeri, Persian, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and classical music will love the music of Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Natacha Atlas' 'Mounqaliba'

Natacha Atlas

Mounqaliba

Six Degrees

What seems to be a departure for Natacha Atlas may in fact be a concept album with historic roots and societal relevance. Mounqaliba is an Arabic term for 'being in a state of reversal'. In this case, the 'reversal' pertains to a growing uncivilization of global culture and society. This is evidenced throughout the album with taped excerpts of Peter Joseph's thoughts on the pitfalls of modern society through the Zeitgeist Movement for the betterment of society as a whole. Mounqaliba is largely a classical, Arabic album without Natacha's typical, modernized Arabic pop sound. Natacha tries to match the lyricism of classical music with Arabic poetry. In addition, Natacha is joined by a twenty-member Turkish orchestra with strings, ney flute, accordion, percussion, and piano. The result is a primarily classical approach to Arabic music with languid beats and soulful vocals interspersed with a few spoken word soundbites, thunder sounds, traffic noise, and religious calls. Despite this, Mounqaliba is the product of a mature songstress and visionary with an eye to the past and an ear to the future. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Don't Say 'Nay' For The Ney

Hossein Omoumi
The Song of the Ney [2 CD]
Nimbus

This 2-CD set of Iranian flute music also features vocals, daf, doumbak, and tar. The repertoire explores the dastgah and avaz modal systems. Though, the ney is the wind instrument most commonly heard throughout the Middle East and it is also one of the oldest instruments in the world. Hossein's mastery of the ney showcases the various levels of skill required to perform classical music in a traditional context. The talented expertise of Hossein and his accompaniment on disc two, solidifies the incredible breadth of intensive study in Iranian classical music. Consequently, listeners of classical music, Middle East/Central Asian music, and North African specialists will relish the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the ney. ~ Matthew Forss