Sangat
Ghost Songs, 2025
9/10
The Afghan American rabab wizard Qais Essar and Sikh American trumpet player and singer Sonny Singh come together for a meshing of the 2,500 year-old instrument from Afghanistan and daring trumpet lines and anthemic Punjabi and Farsi vocals.
“Vich Sangat” opens with the harmonic voices and bright brass that adds much to the warm strings of the rabag, and “Khabaram Raseeda” follows with a cozy mood that benefits from fluid drumming thanks to Mario Calire.
In the middle, “Lal Meri Pat” welcomes Sandeep Singh’s rich dilruba and David Sharma’s dholki for the cultured climate, while “Jo Manghe” makes great use of Yuka Tadano’s precise upright bass amid the cozy mood.
Near the end, “Pavan Guru” recruits Robin Ryczek’s meticulous cello that suits Essar’s flowing rabab and Singh’s well timed trumpet, and “Kajawe Wo Shahlaila Ro Ro” exits with Essar handling rabab and Singh contributing trumpet and dhol to the thumping traditional.
A worldly effort that blends ancient sounds with ominous melodies, the music here transcends musical, political, and religious boundaries, where the duo use their vision for connection, resistance, and healing.
Travels well with: Diane Coll- Happy Fish; Amjad Ali Khan- Music For Hope