Rather beautiful the sufi dimension and deft minimalism developed throughout on this point of departure of a new sound - especially 'Shadow Forces'. In jazz piano icon Vijay Iyer's case a world away from Entrustment the sound is also nothing like his fine folkloric Tirtha group nevertheless closest in spirit to elements of Love in Exile but still miles away from this vocal led meditation.
Arooj Aftab sings the eerie, compelling, Urdu blues. The 2021 Aftab song 'Mohabbat', above, went on to win a Grammy for the Saudi born US based singer of Pakistani descent. On bass and Moog synth Shahzad Ismaily - a member of Aftab's band in other contexts and known for his work in Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog and as a guest of Krononaut - completes the sound on this engrossing New York studio recording released today. Love in Exile photo: cover art detail
Aftab, Iyer and Ismaily play London for the first time as a trio at the Barbican on 2 June. Tickets
MORE READING:
- Interview with Vijay Iyer - 2020
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