Dancing With Love
Centrediscs, 2023
8/10
The Canadian vocalist and composer Afarin Mansouri brings her Iranian heritage to this sophomore album that thematically surrounds love in the form of empathy, friendship, a higher power or even unattainable love.
“Love Is The Soul” begins the listen with Cheryl Duvall’s quivering piano alongside Terry Lim’s animated flute, as Mansouri’s gorgeous voice guides the dreaminess, and “Hidden Existence” follows with Dobrochna Zubek’s stirring cello and Mansouri’s playful electronics adding much to the mysterious versus bright textures.
Halfway through, “Unattainable” uses Mansouri’s elegant piano and poetic mezzo-soprano for the intimate landscape, while “Pain (Sorrow)” is populated by Anthony Thompson’s eloquent clarinet and Padideh Ahrar Nejad’s tar for the powerful, emotive album highlight.
“Alchemy” and “A Lament For Love” exit the listen, where the former showcases Ali Massoudi’s Eastern percussion prowess with a very rich display, and the latter is a solo flute finish of sublime beauty that resonates so much love and affection.
Mansouri wasn’t allowed to sing in public other than all female audiences until she landed in Canada in 2003. Now, thankfully, her voice can soar wherever she chooses and it sure does across these thoughtful and worldly songs.
Travels well with: Malleus Trio- On/Off; Saxophilia Saxophone Quartet- Metamorphosis