Sari Gelin Ensemble: Music of Azerbaijan (Elite)

 |   |  <1 min read

Sari Gelin Ensemble: Shushter rangi
Sari Gelin Ensemble: Music of Azerbaijan (Elite)

The music of Central Asia has featured on Elsewhere previously, notably with the excellent Smithsonian Folkways series (see tags) which come with fascinating DVD mini-films.

This is can be "difficult" music but it is also quite breathtaking and this album by a creditable quintet is no exception.

The songs are long (three of the seven go past the 12-minute mark), they are improvised, there is a nakedly emotional quality, and the keening voices and instrumentation can be transporting.

But yes, this can be "difficult" and won't be to everyone's taste.

However this album with thorough liner notes on the region, the musicians, the songs and the instrumentation is the one to take you over the hurdle of unfamiliarity.

And it would be a hard heart that wasn't moved by much of this music.

Share It

Your Comments

James Littlewood - Dec 16, 2008

#2 in my best-of nominations.

Because it reeks, drips, vibrates of passion, guts and fortitude. You have to brace yourself just to listen to it. It sounds as if it comes from - well - far, far away, and yet so close ...

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

Vayo: Tango (Pantaleon)

Vayo: Tango (Pantaleon)

Every journalist-cum-travel writer who goes to Argentina writes about the seduction of tango, the sensual poetry of the dance and so on. To be honest, having been there, it's hard not to. Like... > Read more

Various: The Rough Guide to Latin-Arabia (Elite)

Various: The Rough Guide to Latin-Arabia (Elite)

To be honest, I never knew of this musical style which is a meltdown of belly dance, salsa and flamenco. But apparently . . . According to the liner notes on this exotic and upbeat collection... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

The Chemical Brothers: Further (Parlophone)

The Chemical Brothers: Further (Parlophone)

And in this further installment, our heroes effect a blend of Barrett-era Floyd (given a techno twist) and Baba O'Reilly-meets-Pseudo Echo (on the soundstage of Bladerunner) then set their control... > Read more

BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique

BRIAN ENO AND THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Obscure but not oblique

By happy chance recently I pulled out a vinyl album which has changed my listening habits for these past weeks. It was released 30 years ago but has always struck me as timeless: it is Brian... > Read more