Ragas From Lahore: Improvisations With Jaubi

Opening track ‘Shalah Bagh’ is inspired by the Mughal gardens in Lahore they visited. It is a fully improvised track guided by Kashif Ali Dhani on table and vocals, with Tenderlonious on soprano saxophone. Raga Chandrakauns acts as the basic framework, evolving into a free conversation between tabla and saxophone.

‘Azadi’ is the Urdu word for freedom and is a pure raga composed in the beautiful and devotional pentatonic Raga Bairagi, also based in the 12-beat rhythmic cycle (Ektaal). Like everything during these sessions, this raga was shown to Tender moments before the one take recording and what ensued was an improvised conversation between the musicians. Featuring Jaubi members Zohaib Hassan Khan on sarangi – Zohaib is a 7th generation sarangi maestro and one of only 5 professional sarangi players left in Pakistan practicing this ancient art form. Plus Jaubi guitarist and band leader Ali Riaz Baqar, providing the guitar accompaniment.

Other tracks include ‘Kirwani Part II’ is an alternate take of the original, this time featuring Tenderlonious on soprano saxophone in conversation with Kashif Ali Dhani on tabla.

Marek Marek Pedziwiatr, from EABS & Astigmatic Records, provides the synth drone back drop on all tracks.