CD Review: Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain's 'Love Duets Across Civilizations - A Deeper Tone Of Longing'

Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain
Love Duets Across Civilizations - A Deeper Tone Of Longing
KKV

Iran's Mahsa Vahdat and America's Mighty Sam McClain bring us a new album of musical poetry inspired by the poetry of Mohammad Ibrahim Jafari and Erik Hillestad. The music is bluesy and classical with both Farsi and English vocals. The instruments are varied, including acoustic/electric guitars, Fender Rhodes, harmonica, piano, trumpet, ney, kamancheh, vibes, and double bass. The session songs are more adventurous and textured than previous releases from Mahsa Vahdat. Nevertheless, the contemporary music arrangements on "When You Came" are rooted in blues, jazz, and Central Asian music. The nine other tracks are a mix of soul blues and Central Asian music, which is a treat, as it is very well-composed with a favorable, long-lasting result. In short, two acclaimed and talented musicians bring us an album that is worth listening to over and over again. You will love it! ~ 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: Norway Meets Iran with Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat

Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat

I vinens speil (In The Mirror of Wine)

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Norway's Skruk choir and Iran's Mahsa Vahdat create symphonic songs of poetry from Sufi poets Rumi and Hafez. The songs are presented in Persian and Norwegian. The Sufi poets often combined elements of Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism in their poetic works. I vinens speil draws upon the same religious influences mentioned above and it was also recorded in a Norwegian church. The mix of light percussion, bass, and piano are a perfect companion to the beautiful choral melodies and Mahsa's voice. Mahsa's angelic voice on the opening track, "Gleden Ved Ditt Kyss", sets the stage for the rest of the album. The piano is never overtly intrusive. Anyone with an interest in hauntingly beautiful church melodies, classical music, and world jazz will find the most satisfaction with Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat. Liner notes include Norwegian and Persian song translations. ~ Matthew Forss