Search - Salamat Ali Khan :: Voices of Spheres

A treat for Aalap lovers!

Nehal Masood | USA | 02/11/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Salamat Ali Khan, and his sons, the pillars of Sham Chaurasi gharana of classical "Hindustani"gayki has done full justice with the the 6 beautiful raags in this CD. Some of the uncommon raags such as Shiraz and Abogi Kanara are real treat. The absence of rythmic taals by tabla or pakhawaj are well compensated by the full command on laye and in some compositions, the accompanying ghungroo (ankle bells), though not well defined or complex as traditional taals like dhammar, Jhumra, eiktal or tintal. In the first composition of Bhairav one gets the impression that this may be another one of those "fusion" music. But I was glad to find out that these are accentuated and digitally enhanced sounds from nature like flowing water, winds, and thunder. These sounds of nature are the basis of the raags and taal (Sur,and laye) in general. Infact the Sa, Re Ga, Ma Pa Dha,Ni are derived from the sound made by Peacock, Bull, Goat, Deer, Cookoo, Frog and Elephant respectively,..the voices of spheres! Salamat Ali Khan is no doubt one of the legendary "gayik" (singer) from Pakistan for Khiyal gayeki who has done superb work in refining the laye of a raag. His command over these fine details and his historical accomplishments are well depicted and evident quite vividly in this CD, though its not done in the traditional way of delivering a raag. The handling of various scales of some of the difficult notes is superb. I think that addition of slow Taal would have added additional charm and wonders in this excellent piece of rare raags composiotion!"