Mad Sheer Khan - 1001 Nights (1999) [New Age-World][mp3 320][h33

Mad Sheer Khan - 1001 Nights
Year: 1999
Label: Erato
Total time: 63:06
Bitrate: 320 kbps

An Algerian native living in France who's best known in the West for his work with Nico and Sting, Mad Sheer Khan enlisted an impressive range of female vocalists from around the world to interpret songs based on poems from the book 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights in their own native tongues. Native America, Tibet, Israel/Palestine, Algeria, Africa, Pakistan, and India are all represented here, with the artist's expressed goal to "convey the diversity of the world through a common spirit." The concept works well, with Khan and a stellar multicultural lineup of musicians tailoring each song to its singer. Fela Ababsa lends her captivating voice to "Night of Algerian," which segues seamlessly into "Algerian Sunrise," a gorgeous instrumental passage featuring the strings of Bulgaria's Plovdiv Chamber Orchestra. Morocco's Mamani Kei"ta's passionate wail drives the fiery "Night of the Gnawas" to a dynamic crescendo, with wickedly syncopated rhythms and strings helping to sell the drama. Only on the insistent "Night of Navajos" does Khan make a misstep, his synthesized sounds taking the listener out of the timeless mood the previous songs create. Still, this is a bold, experimental record that shows it really is a small world after all. ~ Bret Love, AMG

I have a lot of world music samplers and a consistant problem with them is that they are not consistant. But this album has 7 diffrent tracts from 7 diffrent cultures and every one of them is a gem. ~ Anthony T. Milazzo

Very inspired album. A beautiful collection from the world. Every track is sung by a woman in her native tongue. Orchestral arrangements make the CD universal. I look for more from Mad Sheer Khan!! ~ BPMan

How sad that this wonderful album has been discontinued by the publisher. These seven tracks are each beautiful, profound and rich. Like so many other Algerian-born musicians, Mad Sheer Khan shows himself to be a true world musician. Worth hunting for! ~ Marius Cipolla

Personnel:
Mad Sheer Khan (Oud, Sitar, Rebab, Santur, Keyboards, Percussion and Programming)
Ahmed Dhemai (Percussion)
Subramaniam (Violin)
Plovdiv Chamber Orchestra (Strings)
Nasser (Percussion)
Jean-Pierre Arnaud (Oboe and English Horn)
Bruno Caillat (Zarb)
Fela Ababsa (Vocals) - 1
Mamani Keita (Vocals) - 2
Nourith (Vocals) - 3
Mary Redhouse (Vocals) - 4
Kunchock Lama (Vocals) - 5
Sharmila Roy (Vocals) - 6
Parvin Javdan (Vocals) - 7

Mad Sheer Khan - 1001 Nights Tracks:
01 Night of Algeria 5:34
02 Night of Gnawas 9:44
03 Night of Hebrews 8:34
04 Night of Navajos 8:55
05 Night of Tibet 7:43
06 Night of India 11:20
07 Night of Persia 11:13
All compositions by Mad Sheer Khan