Sunyata

by Jim Brenholts Sunyata is the stylish debut from Vas -- Greg Ellis and Azam Ali. It is an ethnic treasure. Ali's vocal style, in an invented language, is the feature instrument. Ellis' percussion and recording techniques are right on the edge. Bells and gentle strings complete the soundscape. This is a great CD and one of the best debuts of all time. It will appeal to fans of Natacha Atlas and Sheila Chandra. Greg Ellis: The percussion on SUNYATA comprises instruments rarely heard outside of their traditional context. Drums from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as the West, are played in various combinations that transcend regional or traditional styles to create unique rhythms and sounds. These instruments are allowed to interact with the melodies of voice and hammered dulcimer so that the rhythms and tones of the drums become melodic. Azam Ali: Our approach to music is a very unorthodox one. We have stepped away from musical traditions to create a sound of our own. The voice has been taken back to the days when it was used more as an instrument. Free from the constraints of any written language, the voice is capable of sounds no man-made instrument can create. The Music of VAS: All sound is born out of silence. In SUNYATA, the two most primitive instruments –drum and human voice – form an ancient yet timeless marriage of sound. A song begins with an idea, yet the music takes on a life and purpose of its own and moves in the direction it needs to travel. Vas, which means vessel, gratefully receives music, surrenders to it, and is in turn guided by the song. Thus, every element of voice and drum finds balance and harmony – and where there is harmony there is unsurpassable beauty. With a fluidly pure voice that is profound and primeval, Azam Ali composes songs in a language of her own design to express emotions too deep and intricate for the simple patterns of words. The message is more of music and feeling. Greg Ellis draws from his American jazz roots as well as a love of Middle Eastern and African percussion to fulfill his musical vision. His playing implies more than defines structure, yet its visceral pulses and careful embellishments vitalize and convey the songs in the instinctive vernacular of rhythm. Azam Ali: Voice, hammered dulcimer, bendir. Greg Ellis: Udu, dumbek, madal, nagara, bendir, bowls, bells, shakers, tambura, vocal drones, keyboards. All songs written, produced, and performed by Azam Ali and Greg Ellis. Recorded at Soundhouse Studios, Hollywood, CA. Engineer: Greg Ellis. Mixed at Music Grinder Studios, Hollywood, CA, January 1997. Engineer: Dan Harjung. Assitant engineer: Rudy Haeusermann. Executive Producer: Dan Harjung. Mastered by Trevor Sadler, Narada Media.