hr_hack_n_slack
I have a fairly large collection of Afghan music (for a westerner).
I knew from the first minute of this first track, that the album was a must have. What the U.S. did to Afghanistan is inexcusable.
gavin mcadam
Rag Sohni...as soon as the track started I had goosebumps. Such wonderful musicianship, this music deserves a far wider audience. Thank you to all who brought this to our ears!
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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
'Afghan Music-In-Exile: Mashhad 2022' in a CD digipak
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A limited edition photo series of 12 photos of Afghan musicians during the album recording, taken by Michel Gasco.
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Make a donation to the Afghan musicians we are working with as part of this project. Many are in precarious situations in Iran, Afghanistan or Pakistan.
All profits for this release will go directly to the musicians involved - but you can choose to make a one-off donation of your choice. If you'd like to donate something more substantial (and not lose anything to fees) please get in contact at lachlan@artascatharsis.com
Worlds Within Worlds is proud to announce Afghan Music In Exile: Mashhad 2022, an album and film series showcasing the music of a culture under existential threat.
Recorded in Mashhad, Iran in May 2022, this album captures the talent and suspenseful expression of classical and folk Afghan musicians living in exile - to create art in Afghanistan would have invited attacks, arrest, torture or worse at the hands of the Taliban. With production and management from Michel Gasco (Badieh, Orontes and student of rubab maestro Nasim Khushnawaz) and co-production from Lachlan R. Dale (Worlds Within Worlds Records, Hashshashin & Black Aleph), this project culminates Gasco’s decade-long work with the Afghan community in Iran to create a snapshot in time – a historical marker for future generations to reflect on.
“I think this project will give the opportunity to those who don’t know about our music to hear it for the first time,” says Nasim Khushnawaz, a Herati rubab master who features on the release. “When people think of Afghanistan they think of war, I hope after this album they will also think about our beautiful music. I also hope this project will give us the opportunity to play for people who appreciate our music and our Afghan brothers living in the west.”
The record captures performances from some of Herat’s most important musical dynasties from the past century, including members of the Khushnawaz, Delahang and Hassanpour families. Listeners can expect broad stylistic and instrumental variation, including; Asef Habibi’s performance of a Kabuli ghazal, Jawad Tabesh’s rendition of a classical Afghan vocal piece, Valid Delahung’s talents with traditional Rubab compositions and a Herati Dotar piece from Gholam Sakhi Rassouli. Finally, Aziz Ahmad Amiri performs a moving and distinctive folk song composed by his father – the great singer Ustad Amir Mohammad.
“This project will have positive effects on art in Afghanistan, especially for those Afghans who don’t know the music of their country,” says Asef Habibi. “It also shows how interested our foreign friends are in the music and art of Afghanistan.”
The disastrous effects of the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 has stifled the expression of Afghan musicians as a ban on music performance couples a new wave of oppression against the arts. Deprived of their livelihood, many artists are destitute, and many families are either starving or living in exile. This project aims to amplify the voice of these artists to ensure they are not forgotten. All profits from this release go directly back to the artists involved – with the hope this eases the substantial burden of living in a precarious situation while maintaining the rich and enduring musical traditions of Afghanistan.
“This album is one of a kind, and a celebration of a great culture that has been under unbearable pressure with extremists trying to silence it,” remarks Michel Gasco. “We hope that provides a gateway for new audiences into the rich musical history of Afghanistan.”
credits
released June 23, 2023
Recorded in Mashhad, Iran on the 18th of May 2022
Produced by Michel Gasco
Co-produced by Lachlan Dale
Audio recording by Ahmad Mahian
Mixed and mastered by Alberto Centella
Cover art photo Michel Gasco
CD design by Daniel Gasco & Lachlan Dale
Thank you to Mohammad Miraghazadeh
--
1. Aziz Ahmad Amiri - Astan e To Boose Gahe Man Ast
Composed by Amir Mohammad. Performed by Aziz Ahmad Amiri (vocals, harmonium), Vahid Delahang (rubab), Gholam Sakhi Rasuli (Herati dotar), Kenan Delahang (tabla).
2. Vahid Delahang - Rag Sohni
Composed by Vahid Delahang. Performed by Vahid Delahang (rubab), Kenan Delahang (tabla).
3. Jawad Tabesh - Tarane
Composed by Amir Khoshrow Dehlavi Balkhi. Performed by Jawad Tabesh (vocals, harmonium), Nasim Khushnawaz (rubab), Ramin Ahmadi (tabla).
4. Nasim Khoshnawaz & Gholam Sakhi Rasuli - Leili Leili
Traditional composition. Performed by Nasim Khushnawaz (rubab), Gholam Sakhi Rasuli (Herati dotar), Azim Hassanpur (tabla).
5. Asef Habibi - Feraq
Composed by Ostad Gholam Ali Jan. Performed by Asef Habibi (vocals, harmonium), Vahid Delahang (rubab), Ramin Ahmadi (tabla).
6. Nasim Khushnawaz - Aghrabe Zolfe Kajat
Traditional composition. Performed by Nasim Khushnawaz (rubab), Azim Hassanpur (tabla).
7. Gholam Sakhi Rasuli - Chaharbeiti Siahmu Wa Jalali / Abshari Herati
Traditional composition. Performed by Gholam Sakhi Rasuli (Herati dotar), Azim Hassanpur (tabla).
supported by 21 fans who also own “Afghan Music In Exile: Mashhad 2022”
I love these women. the voices mesh together perfectly; also the world music is exceptional. I have all of their albums and they're all excellent. Give them a listen. Steve Lake
supported by 20 fans who also own “Afghan Music In Exile: Mashhad 2022”
Been loving this stuff since “Music From Saharan Cellphones” dropped. More obscure greatness! Kinda wish it had those notes found with “…Cellphones” releases tho. Lord Dubious