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Cyrus Khajavi, Zememe (Whisper)
One of the more adventurous musical projects over the past twenty or so years has been
Peter Gabriel's 'world music' programme. His pioneering attitude, and that of others
such as Paul Simon, opened the doors to other musicians and today the sounds of
African music, for instance, within popular music is not uncommon.
To hear an Iranian musician bringing together traditional Iranian and Azerbaijani
music with Western rock is in itself braking new ground. Well it might be new to you
and I, but this music has already been released in cassette form and sold thousands of
copies world wide. Now it has been recorded for CD release by Iranian Khajavi along
with some familiar names. Khajavi is here backed impressively by former Quasar
members Keith Turner, Uwe D'Rose and Dave Wagstaffe, the latter two better known for
their work with Landmarq.
The music is, maybe surprisingly, quite exciting and extremely entertaining with
Khajavi's Iranian vocals only adding to the atmosphere. He himself takes on some
electric guitar along with D'Rose and this melts into the middle eastern feel
extremely well. The acoustic/electric guitar intro and Wagstaffe percussion on the
opening and title track is a unique link into Khajavi's opening burst of vocals.
Violin and cello add even more to the sound on tracks like 'Tanhaie' (Solitude), a
gently lilting song that you would never imagine was recorded at the home of Arena,
the Thin Ice Studios. This track moves on eventually into a tremendously enjoyable
guitar driven instrumental conclusion. The production is excellent, and that's not
surprising with Karl Groom in the control room chair.
Most of the music and lyrics have been written by Khajavi and his invention is a
credit to him. Where he reverts to a traditional piece he has achieved the almost
perfect connection between different styles and methods.
I don't know how much of an influence progressive rock is or has been on Khajavi but
'Sarumed-Zemestoon' (Winter Is Over) has large chunks of prog overtones but there is
always a middle eastern ethereality around the corner. The latter track gives way to
'Lezgi.' A three part Azerbaijani folk tune and if this is typical of music from the
land I want to hear some more. Dave Wag. Sounds in his element here, on what is a
completely and utterly refreshing piece of music.
The album concludes with the epic 'Baran' (Rain) which seems to be sung to an
accompaniment of acoustic guitar that would not have been out of place on an American
country album. Any connoisseur of good music will appreciate what has been achieved
here; it surprised me and it will surprise you.
Martin Hudson, Classic Rock Magazine
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