Amir ElSaffar – The Other Shore
Rivers of Sound Orchestra; Amir Elsaffar
Outhere Music OTN 640 (outhere-music.com)
Amir ElSaffar’s exquisite recording begins – most appropriately – in the wispy smoke of a prayer (Dhuha), heralding that time when the sun is at its zenith. The ululations of his near falsetto voice are the perfect setting for this supernatural music. ElSaffar is an astute composer, vocalist and trumpeter who also plays the santur, a Middle Eastern version of the zither.
What is most remarkable about this music is its swirling, alchemical fusion of mugami modes, mystical, microtonal music that stands in stark contrast to the Western pentatonic scale. That ElSaffar has managed to gather together a group of musicians from diverse backgrounds who play his proverbial Zen – or Sufi – creations with idiomatic brilliance is a testament not just to the musicians who play it, but also to the fact that ElSaffar can write music from such a deep niche while still having universal appeal.
Part of the reason for that is that humanity is riven by a universal, existential angst that has literally ripped humanity apart. ElSaffar intends for us to listen with our hearts; to make amends and be transformed into more spiritual beings.
To this end his suite leads us onward and upward. His swirling dervish-like Concentric drives us to what Plato once called divine madness. The composer suggests this magical state may be attained with Medmi, the mesmerizing contemplative finale of this singularly eloquent and symphonic work that takes us to The Other Shore.
