Album Review: Resonance/Dissonance by Khyam Allami

Album: Resonance/Dissonance
Artist: Khyam Allami
Release Date: On sale (June 2011)
Genre/Region: Middle Eastern

 
The oud (Middle Eastern lute) is a beautiful instrument to begin with, but when combined with Khyam Allami's musical sensitivity, it is divine. Resonance/Dissonance is the debut album of a young artist who has already had quite an amazing career. With degrees from the School of Oriental and African Studies, he has gone on to be the first recipient of the World Routes Academy scholarship from BBC Radio 3 and world class performer.

I attended Khyam's album launch on May 4th and was impressed. He ran through each track in order and offered a beautiful preview of the upcoming album (which was to include a DVD of performances). I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of his album. When I finally did, I was not disappointed. 

Though this is Khyam's debut album, he did not treat it as such. It is bold and ambitious. Risky for a first release, it was a risk worth taking. Khyam's solo oud weaves poetic melodies, at times dark and soulful. Joined by percussionist Vasilis Sarikis, Khyam pieces together an album that is meaningful and intense. His website states, 'conceptually, it is filtered through a life in London influenced by myriad figures; the work of C.G. Jung, the mysticism of Jorge Luis Borges, the independence and forward thinking of Frank Zappa, and Secret Chiefs 3, the ingenuity of various masters of Middle Eastern music such as Hossein Ali Zadeh, Naseer Shamma and Riyadh al-Sunbati.'

As an album with such a range of inspirations, it comes as no surprise that it takes the listener for a ride through a variety of emotions. A quiet and thoughtful beginning, the album opens with the track 'Individuation'. Building upon a very simple and yet elegant melodic theme, the track is pensive but not calm. Then the album moves through semi-improvisations that are all as intense and thoughtful. It features graceful moments of simplicity as well fiery passages of virtuosity. Ultimately, the album rests and reflects with final track, 'Reverie.'

If this all sounds like flowery, over-indulgent praise, have a listen for yourself. Khyam is not only blessed with a virtuosity for which all musicians strive, but a sense of musicality and musical passion that cannot be learned.





You can hear a preview of the album on Khyam's website: www.khyamallami.com

Album Review: Sol by Aurn Shenoy

Album: Sol
Artist: Arun Shenoy
Release Date: October 30, 2010
Genre/Region: Fusion, Flamenco, Jazz



This four track EP is a preview of the full length album Rhythm of the Sun scheduled to be released mid-2011. While the running time is quite short and I look forward to hearing the full length album, this is a great preview of what is to come.

Ambitiously, Shenoy tries to update the flamenco sound, fusing it with jazz and rock. For the most part, he is successful. Flamenco works remarkably well with jazz sensibilities. The first and best track on the EP is "Rhythm of the Sun" and is a prime example of this. Sensual rhythms support a weaving, jazzy piano and create a deliciously seductive track. The track "Sleepy Town" is another great example of fusion gone right, though it is less jazzy than the first piece. 

The other two tracks, however, fall short. "The Violin Song" begins with a very flamenco sound and has promise. Unfortunately, after a minute or so, a very pop-ish drum beat kicks in and the track takes a turn for the worse. "Wanderlust In Keys" is very much the same- lots of potential overshadowed by synthesizer and drum beats.

Despite that, when Shenoy fuses jazz and flamenco well, he creates beautiful sounds and a sensual atmosphere. Overall, this is a promising preview of Shenoy's upcoming album.



You can listen to tracks and watch videos of Arun Shenoy on his website or Facebook:
Official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/ArunShenoyMusic 
Official Website: http://arunshenoy.com

Album Review: Sigh of the Moor by Jadid Ensemble

Album: Sigh of the Moor
Artist: Jadid Ensemble
Release Date: March 10, 2011
Genre/Region: Fusion, Middle-Eastern, Flamenco, North African

This is the outstanding debut album from the Manchester group, Jadid Ensemble. Skillfully blending flamenco and jazz with Arabic and Turkish sounds, the group produces a blissfully serene album.

The album features a range of instruments with Glenn Sharp, the driving force of Jadid Ensemble, on guitars, oud and saz, Paul Cheneour on flutes and neys, Olivia Moore on violin, Adam Warne on percussion, and Gavin Barras on double bass. Weaving their different sounds and styles together, this talented group takes an atmospheric journey through Southern Spain and North Africa.

With a dramatic opening, Sigh of the Moor begins with a haunting and distant call to prayer that is eventually enveloped by a sublime guitar. This track, “Llamar”, beautifully sets the tone for the rest of the album—evocative yet peaceful.

Despite the overall feeling of calm and tranquility, the album does have a few delightful tracks full of energy. The track “Vandal” conjures images of a North African street market, busy with activity. “Tango Arabe” is passionate and powerful, suddenly breaking into a rhythmic flamenco-inspired finish. “The Storyteller” again brings you back to the streets as if you had just stumbled upon a street performer who launches into a spirited story.

The finest track on the album is “Ilm”. The simple, ancient-sounding melodies weave delicately in and out of each other, slowing building intensity over a steady pulse.

The album lives up to its claim of “film score style production”, creating a musical story that travels through Spain and the Middle East with a clear beginning and end. While the album makes for undeniably beautiful listening, the music is not superficial and the listener has a definite sense of transformation at its conclusion, very much like a film.

I highly recommend this album. Jadid Ensemble has produced an outstanding debut and set the bar high for subsequent recordings, which I will be eagerly awaiting.

You can listen to “Ilm”, "Raag", "Vandal", and "Tango Arabe" from Jadid Ensemble’s Sigh of the Moor on Glenn Sharp’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/glennsharpworld.

Jadid Ensemble is currently participating in the World Music Network’s Battle of the Bands. Visit their page (www.worldmusic.net/battle/track/186/) to hear the track “Sigh of the Moor” and if you like what you hear, you can vote for them.

Album Review: Ghost Towns by John Statz

Album: Ghost Towns

Artist: John Statz

Release Date: August 12, 2010

Genre/Region: American folk, folk rock

While the classic "is folk music world music" debate is still argued among some, Nomad's Playlist will state its position by reviewing a folk artist from Wisconsin, USA for it's first album review. In all honesty, I have never been much of an American folk fan. Dylan and his signature irksome voice put me off the entire genre. However, I may be a convert after discovering this up and coming Madison, WI artist.

To say this might sound contradictory as John Statz is a huge Dylan fan and is certainly influenced by him. The Dylan influence was more evident in his solo, live recorded album, An Evening with John Statz (2008). This was the album that introduced me to him and it perfectly captures the intimate setting that make a good John Statz show. That said, Ghost Towns marks a more mature sound with Statz settling into his own style. While his voice has lost some of its typical folk twang, I find myself missing the elegant acoustic guitar lines that made me fall in love with his 2008 album.

In place of the acoustic, Statz has updated the folk sound with a full band and rock/alt-country influences. The album is the result of his tours in the States, Europe and Canada. "Whether it was bullet holes and bombed rooftops in Sarajevo, or desolate abandoned buildings and decaying main street America, the album title seemed very pertinent to the state of the world today" (quoted from his website). However, this is not a heavy album through and through. Even the track "Ghost Towns," which has the type of social commentary message you would expect from a folk song, is upbeat and rocking. A few of the songs do have the heavy soul and acoustic atmosphere of typical folk, such as  "Night Train To Sarajevo" and "Julija." 

The track "Best Girl" is a fun, revamped version of "Best Girl of '16" from his 2008 album. Again, I personally fell in love with his exquisite acoustic guitar lines of the earlier album, but that does not stop this new version from having its own merits. "Best Girl" is more upbeat than its earlier counterpart and is a better setting for the lyrics detailing a solider coming home to his best girl.

The best song of the album is "The Wichita Waltz." The track is slow and about a love story gone sour. It is a little more country than I would normally like, but the absolutely beautiful harmonies sung by Whitney Mann send chills down my spine.

Overall, this is a well put together album with a wide variety of tracks to keep the listener interested. Statz has really grown into a distinct sound since his last release and I expect he will continue to produce some great music as he keeps touring and taking inspiration from his travels. The album will be released on CD and vinyl as well as mp3 download on August 12th, 2010. To preview a few singles from the upcoming album, be sure to visit http://johnstatz.bandcamp.com. 

(Reviewed by Alexandra)