Tango Perso

Release: 21 March 2009

Format: CD in Digi-pack, digital downloads

Number of tracks: 7

Length: 48min.

Genre: World fusion, EthnoFlamenco

EthnoFlamenco (Persian&Flamenco fusion)

Iranian music is considered one of the oldest musical cultures in the world, originating in Aryan prehistoric times. During its development, Persian music produced special forms (dastgâh) that have the potential of producing a hâl (inspiration or duende), or that can transport both the listener and performer outside the realm of ordinary consciousness.

Flamenco, on its long journey to its home in Spain, absorbed various elements of Indian, Persian, Arabic, Jewish and North African music traditions, that when added to the music of its homeland, became a new, powerful style with the ability to express a very wide range of feelings and emotions. Nowadays, besides the strict traditional flamenco, the new wave of Flamenco Fusionists started to experiment and fuse this music with different elements of other styles like Jazz, Blues, and Classical, as well as other ethnic music. The interesting aspect of world fusion is the dialogue between two different cultures, interacting while each still keeps its own pure personality. Synthesizing Persian mysticism with passionate Spanish fire is a great example of it.

Both of these traditional music forms are mainly based on improvisation. The difference is that in Persian music the form (dastgâh) is mainly based on the scale, but in flamenco it is mainly following the strict rhythm structure (compas).

There is a theoretical footing which is based on an organic connection peculiar to the rhythms of every type of music. There are connections between the typical Persian 3/4, 6/8, 12/8 rhythms and the Flamenco 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. The use of quarter tones, which is specifically very particular to Eastern music, is still rarely found in Flamenco singing techniques.

A special feeling can arise as a flamenco guitar begins to fill with and spill out a very definite Persian flavor. The drama and passion of Spanish music blends with and metamorphoses into the philosophy of Sufism as its fire is intensified by the addition of the special rhythms of old Persian lyrics set to this music. It becomes like molten metal for a sculptor, the musician now having great opportunity for improvisation and creation.

The challenge was, and always remains, to find the proper balance, how much of each element to add, when, where and how to add it. The goal is to create a musical fusion that is easily understandable and enjoyable for both eastern and western audiences, but at the same time stays true to the rich legacies of both heritages.