Mehraab

Loga Ramin Torkian – Mehraab
Reviewed by Sadie O., 6/10/11
Contemporary Iranian/Persian. Hot on the heels of Niyaz co-founder (his wife, Azim Ali)’s solo release, Torkian plays most instruments and produces, massaging traditional Persian music/instrumentation into a trance-y soundscape. All gorgeous. No real favorites, no FCCs.
1. 5:21 **minor key tones for a few seconds, then insistent hand drum rhythm, strings and tones. Instrumental. Builds in layers and intensity.
2. 4:24 **low-key, loping hand drum and strings, lovely male vocals, a bit akin to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in style.
3. 4:40 **very low-key (in all senses) tones for 44 seconds, then slow, loping hand drum, male vocals.
4. 3:59 **subdued hand drums and very lush strings. Builds. Bits of echo-laden and lyricless vocals in second half.
5. 5:25 **very trance-y and mysterious – electronic springy sounds and things that started life as probably flutes and strings, lovely ululating vocals, and hand drums that don’t start until a minute and a half in. Amazing total effect.
6. 4:06 **eerie tones, processed and far-away vocals, finally loping hand drums and prettiness. Builds.
7. 5:16 **strong hand drum rhythm, with vocals in unison.
8. 4:08 **echoes and tones, as well as quark, strangeness and charm. Vocals, but no beat. Seems sad, but maybe it’s just contemplative…