Djivan Gasparyan (1928 – 2021)
The Armenian duduk player collaborated with Michael Brook on the album Black Rock in 1998.
Wed, 07 July 21
Riz Ahmed samples Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on new album ‘The Long Goodbye’
Riz Ahmed, the British actor, rapper and activist, has just released his second solo album, which features a sample of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Allah Hoo Allah Hoo' in the opening track, 'The Breakup (Shikwa)'.
Known for roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and award-winning HBO series The Night Of, Ahmed’s new album The Long Goodbye is a turbulent exploration of identity and belonging. On ‘The Break Up (Shikwa)’, he uses a romantic relationship as a detailed extended metaphor for life in post-Brexit Britain.
The sample of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on the opening track of the album is lifted from a live WOMAD recording of ‘Allah Hoo Allah Hoo’. Nusrat and the qawwal ‘Ali Ali Dam Ali Ali’ are also mentioned on the track ‘Can I Live’.
Taking cues from Sufi devotional music and poetry, Ahmed explains that he wanted to hold up a mirror to the rising tide of division in the land he calls home.
“It’s a breakup album, but with your country. I wanted to make something that lets people into the feeling of this heartbreak, the anger, the denial, the acceptance, the realisation, self-esteem and self-love.“
The Long Goodbye is out now on Mongrel Records, and is accompanied by a short film of the same name.
Featured release
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Released 23 July 2019
A remarkable record of a magical event that changed the perception of Sufi music to a wider audience and set Nusrat on a path to international recognition of his genius. The power and beauty of Nusrat’s voice comes rushing back through the years and lifts us up to the ecstatic heights of Sufi expression.
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Further reading
M’berra by Khalab & M’berra Ensemble out today
M'berra is a collaboration between electronic artist Khalab and musicians from M'berra refugee camp.
Fri, 23 April 21
A Code of Signals: Exploring the symbolism of Loney dear’s album art
Each flag on the cover art of Loney dear's new album and singles means something different.
Mon, 15 March 21
Track of the day: ‘El Gamra’ by Bab L’ Bluz
The track is taken from their award-winning debut album Nayda!
Wed, 19 May 21