Sumud

Similar in sound to their previous two albums but even more electronic New Age and dance club in style, Niyaz offers folk tunes of Iran, Kurdistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Palestine. The music washes over the listener, so filled with electronic harmonic drones, and the tunes include Middle Eastern repetitions and steady rhythms. More interesting is the various sonic colors of instruments. The group centers around vocalist and santurist Azam Ali and features Loga Ramin Torkian (kamaan, rebab, saz, djumbush, lafta, guitar, and viol), and Carmen Rizzo (keyboards, electronics, and percussion). Guest musicians include Ulas Ozdemir on saz, Naser Musa on oud, and Omer Avci on percussion. Habib Meftah Boushehri plays on flute on some tracks, and musicians Kamal Sabri on sarangi, Sabar Nader on tabla, A.R. Rahman on voice appear on the fourth track, Mazaar, an Afghani folk song. While preferring purely acoustic renditions, I nonetheless appreciate this contemporary blend. Azam Ali's voice is haunting and the music melts and relaxes; yet it supports dancing. Lyrics to five of the songs are provided. The album is dedicated to nonviolent steadfastness in pursuit of freedom and personal dignity. The lyrics refer to love and suffering and longing, which have mystical, religious aspects as well. Careful listening will discern Arabic, Persian, and Turkish musical forms within the arrangements. This should become a popular album here and in Eurasia. The Government of Canada financially helped in the production of the album.

I fell in love with this group a few years back. I have since been in the process of collecting as many of their CDs as I can find. Azam Ali has the most beautiful and captivating voice. The songs are of such beautiful and exotic love stories, no language barrier is present when listening to them.Most of all, love between two people has no boundary and language does not prevent it. If you believe in true love and beautiful music, you will love Niyaz.

I first heard of Niyaz while listening to my Dead Can Dance channel on Pandora and I was interested in what I heard. It sounded pretty good. I wouldn't necessarily compare Azam Ali's voice to Lisa Gerrard's -- they're two different singers -- but Ali does have a good voice and she uses it well on their songs. I now own two Niyaz albums and I think this one is pretty good. It sounds like it's "matured" a bit from previous efforts. It's Middle Eastern music with a contemporary flair and it sounds good. If you like DCD, you might want to give Niyaz a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

If you are a fan of the previous albums (Niyaz and Nine Heavens) then you should have a lot to like in this new album. While there is more of an electronic feel than the previous discs, it is still unmistakenly a Niyaz sound and the tracks are some of their finest work.

I love this group. The music is so passionate. They have upbeat tunes and downbeat tunes. Good for chilling out or moving around. I will continue to buy their albums.

I love their music so much. I may not understand the language but it is beautiful and breath taking. Persian and Indian music makes me feel more alive than anything has ever had.

Gorgeous, soulful middle-eastern style music; approachable to the western ear; Niyaz has it going on!

There is nothing more to be said about the woman. Her work, and the people she chooses to work with, are fantastic. It's lovely music to calm and groove to.

The mixture of electronic and traditional instrumentation here, combined with the intricate but powerful rhythms make this an absorbing listen. Azam Ali is as mysterious and compelling as ever. What a wonderful sound this band have! This goes beyond simply having a dabble with ethnic music, and if you enjoy creativity you'll love this.

Niyaz is as its best again! the music is unique and exploring its various sources. it's inspiring and southing. recommended to everyone who loves world music

Mit Sumud ist das nun 3. Album von Niyaz mit der Sängerin Azam Ali erschienen.Niyaz liefert wieder eine schöne Musik zum Träumen und Verweilen.Für mich konnte das hohe Niveau der beiden Vorgänger nicht ganz gehalten werden.Wie schon in der allgemeinen Beschreibung erwähnt, stehen auf Sumud die elektronischen Arrangementsmehr im Vordergrund.Die Rhythmische Percussion ist zwar vorhanden aber -für mich leider- deutlich reduziert worden.Auf den Vorgängern sind treibende, flotte, rhythmische Stücke wie z.B Golzar, Dilruba (1.Album).Auf Sumud wirkt die Musik wegen der verstärkten mittelruhigen Trance-lastigkeit dadurch irgenwie etwas langsamer und abgeflachter.Der persische Gesang von Azam Ali ist nach wie vor sehr schön, aussdrucksstark und harmonisch,bei ein ein paar Liedern habe ich allerdings den Eindruck, Sie hält sich etwas zurück.Mir einigen Durchläufen gewöhnt man sich dennoch an den neuen Sound.Einerseits gibt es wunderbare Atmosphärisch dichte spirituelle, verträumte Lieder,wie z.B auf Mazaar(mit A.R. Rahman), schöne persiche Lieder wie Vafa und Mahtaab,und das wunderbar gesungene ruhige türkische Lied Arzusun zum Schluss.Andererseits sind auch einige etwas schwächere Lieder dabei.Möglicherweise wollen sich Niyaz mit der leichten Neuausrichtung einem breiterem Publikum zugänglich machen.Meine Eindrücke sind natürlich subjektiv, aber vielleicht gefällt vielen Sumud deshalb besser.Da ich selbst gerne orientalische Musik höre, hört sich Sumud für mich nicht ganz so "orientalisch" wie die Vorgänger an.Als Azam und Niyaz-Anhänger klare Kaufempfehlung, aber voher reinhören.

orientalische klänge vom feinsten verzaubern dein wohnzimmer. heit mal was anderes, daher 5 sterne. volker aus steinhude

Ware in einwandfreiem Zustand erhalten. Danke.

J'ai tous les CD d'Azam Ali en solo ou dans ses diverses formations, Vas, Niyaz etc... Sumud est le dernier CD de Niyaz je le trouve excellent à l'écoute avec du rythme et une voix toujours aussi envoutante. La musique oscille entre ancien et modernité. Je ne peux être plus précis en terme de critique musicale parce que je n'ai pas la compétence pour le faire. Maintenant tous les gouts sont dans la nature mais si vous aimez cet style de musique moyen orientale ce CD peut vous surprendre agréablement. Azam Ali mérite l'écoute est gagne à être connue.

J'ai reçu le produit en bon état, il était bien emballé et dans le temps prévu.

I love this group. Her voice is incredible and enhanced by the musicians. This is the 3rd album I have bought and love them all

troisième opus de Niyaz : toujours le meme plaisir a l écoute de cette musique qui nous emmène . . . loin

前作がアコースティック要素が強かったので、今回はエレクトリックが強くなっているようです。しかし、基本は同じです。初めての人は同じに聞こえるでしょう。でもそれで良いのです。どこを切っても同じ、終わりなき幻惑の世界です。バンドのコンセプトも単純で聞いた通りで、初めから変わっていません。アイデアは単純ですがここまで上手くできているのは、なかなかいないのではないでしょうか。ロックのポピュラリティと民族的要素の融合はさじ加減が難しいです。このアジア的な旋律や歌い回しは産業ロックに食傷気味のひとにはおすすめです。おせち料理に飽きたらカレーを食べる感覚でどうでしょう。大変アジア的なVoのAliさんですが、その声といい歌い回しがアイルランドのClannad(モイヤ　ブレナン）に似ていると思うのは僕だけでしょうか。

Azam Ali's vocals are beautiful, captivating, and haunting! Great percussion and vibes of Turkey-Iran.Shokran / Thanks.L.