I can die a happy man now.
Craptacular. | CO | 10/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They don't have audio samples of it. You don't need them. Chances are, if you're on this page, you already know the power of the Iranian percussionist siblings and father -- the Chemirani's. Well, add another: Maryam Chemirani. Though this is her debut to *my* ears, she is a wonderfully suited vocalist here.
I must first say that this is not a classically formatted performance. The music is not monophonic, as is most classical music from Iran. This album is a watershed in that it demonstrates how easily the Iranian zarb (played by Chemirani) is comparable to the Indian tabla (played by Chatterjee) -- not only in the rhythmic skills of the performers, but also in its sonic diversity: comparable clicks and pops, comparable bass and tonal control, comparable in every way.
If you're a student of music or a percussionist, here is another reason to hear this album: The diversity in beat cycles. It features Indian teental rhythm of 16 beats, rupak tal of 7 beats, 10-beat patterns, 11-beat patterns, and 15-beat patterns. It's wonderful to hear these masters fiddle around with the beat cycles in their solos and land squarely on their feet.
I'm also very fond of the production quality of the album. It is not over-produced, yet there is notable separation between the instruments that make it easy to digest for an attentive audient. The layout of the album is also well-rounded: Some songs exist mostly so the master percussionists can display their skills, but "Nemidounam," "Chabi Majnoun," and "Ma maison se trouve sur le chemin emprunte par mon coeur"
have such wonderful folk-song qualities to them -- complete with Persian poetry sung by Maryam.
Besides Persian and Indian percussion, there is a foundation of other worldy instruments weaving this fine tapestry of sound: Turkish saz, Arabian oud, Persian kemanche, Indian sarod, Greek lyra, and Indian bansuri.
So, if you're looking for mindless, "New Age" zombie music with cheesy watered-down synth samples, you've come to the wrong place. But, this might be the right place to start appreciating true musical excellence. Cuz if you're looking for some of the best the world has to offer, this is it. Albums like this are reasons why I own a zarb, daf, udu, duduk, flamenco guitar, .... saz, ..... mandolin, ...... dumbek, ....... ... ... .. . . . . . . ."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
