CD Review: Ustad Dildar Hussain Khan and Party's 'Sur Sangeet'

Ustad Dildar Hussain Khan and Party
Sur Sangeet
Kanaga System Krush Records

The essence of Qawwali is eloquently presented on the latest recording from Ustad Dildar Hussain Khan and Party. The Pakistani-based musical style is devotional music of Sufism with an entrancing and hypnotic flavor. For the most part, Sur Sangeet is filled with harmonium, tabla, and hand-claps, but vocal utterances signal the real strength of the music. However, "Dhamaal," is a completely instrumental tune. The melodies and rhythms are more varied on Sur Sangeet than traditional Qawwali music. Still, a historic thread binds the past with the present throughout the songs. There are eight long tracks with diverse vocalizations, steady percussion, and Punjabi elements. Specialists in South Asian music will want to try some Qawwali. This is a good place to start. It's soul-quenching. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kiran Ahluwalia's 'Sanata: Stillness'

Kiran Ahluwalia
Sanata: Stillness
Magenta

Indo-Canadian, Kiran Ahluwalia, ventures into uncharted territory with the swirling, bluesy, guitar riffs characteristic of North Africa's Saharan Desert region. However, South Asian delicacies are still apparent throughout the album, but the instrumental guitar, harmonium, and drums arouse a North African spirit laced with curry-scented morsels called songs. The breezy and bluesy style of "Hayat" resembles a North African anthem spearheaded with vocals of a South Asian origin, but "Sanata" contains similar influences . "Jaane Na" is more aligned with Indian jazz and pop with drifting melodies and floating vocals. "Lament" is a South Asian jazz tune with elements of rock, fusion, experimentation, and contemporary leanings in a mostly instrumental display. All of the music is created from acoustic/electric guitars, bass, tabla, organ, harmonium, drums, and vibraphone. Overall, Kiran challenges music origins and presents them in a very endearing package. Liner notes are in English, Hindi/Punjabi, and French.

CD Review: Hariharan's 'Lahore Ke Rang, Hari Ke Sang'

Hariharan
Lahore Ke Rang, Hari Ke Sang
Sachal Music

Hariharan is a playback singer and composer of contemporary Hindi music who has won numerous awards for singing and songwriting. Born in Mumbai, Hariharan studied Carnatic music and later on, ghazals (love poems). On this release, Hariharan celebrates the music of Lahore, Pakistan. A few of the composers are included, such as Wazir Afzal, Nazar Hussain, and Qadir Shaggan. Lyricists include Amir Khusro, Bulleh Shah, Majeed Amjad, Hasrat Mohani, Mushtaq Soofi, Tajjamul, Adeen Taji, and Nasir Kazmi. The instrumentation is characteristically filmic; with symphonic strings, tabla, sitar, and floating vocals that coalesce into a wonderful musical medium. The contemporary arrangements should intrigue young and old alike. The ten tracks run almost one-hour in length. Buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ustad Fateh Ali Khan's 'Bandish: Classical Compositions Re-Interpreted'

Ustad Fateh Ali Khan
Bandish: Classical Compositions Re-Interpreted
Sachal Music

Born in Pakistan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan showcases his classical voice for eight different ragas that are re-interpreted with The Orchestra of the Great Musicians of Lahore. The raga compositions are similar in tone to Indian ragas. The instrumentation is similar, notably the sitar, table, dholak, mrdang, violin, santur, shehnai, mandolin, sarangi, sarod, viola, assorted percussion, and more contemporary instruments, including the Spanish guitar, keyboards, and bass guitar. The rich instrumentation and Ustad Fateh’s classic voice gives the music very high marks with limited outside influence. Specifically, the music may be re-interpreted, but it still retains its Punjabi charm. Every track is great. If you are into classical Punjabi or Indian music, then Bandish… is right for you! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Fareeha Anwar's 'Sayooeni'

Fareeha Anwar

Sayooeni
Sachal Music

Pakistan’s Fareeha Anwar is a hip, young, fresh vocalist coming out of Pakistan. Sayooeni is a two-song release of two different remixes of the song originally composed by Salim Iqbal. The original singer was Zubaida Khannum. It is characteristically Bollywood in all regards—from the tabla, sitar, Spanish guitar, sarod, bass, violin, viola, cello, and assorted percussion, to the catchy, clear Hindi vocals. The eight-minute album includes the Hindi lyrics. For a great invitation to Fareeha’s music, Sayooeni is a gem. ~ Matthew Forss