London-based Palestinian musician musician Faris Ishaq showcases his uniquely impactful solo sound on new album JASAD, playing the traditional reed nay alongside a leg-mounted frame drum. From the atmospheric breath dynamics of opener “ARD” and the unadorned phrasing of “Incense Trail” to the rhythmic pauses of “Carved” and closing shifts on “Twilight,” Ishaq merges Arabic Maqam scales with jazz improvisation, crafting fully acoustic textures anchored strictly by physical technique and cultural heritage.
“ARD” is a captivating, dynamic opener. Its soundscape traverses from initial rhythmic breathiness into a full embrace of the nay, which moves with dreamy entrancement amidst a shaking rhythmic cadence and breath-driven adornments. “Incense Trail” ensues and places immediate emphasis on the instrument, slithering with a lovely mystique across its ravishing solo entry. Whereas the opener delights in its textured details and expanse, “Incense Trail” thrives on a lusher, reed-centric minimalism.
“Carved” arrives next, proving particularly immersive through its artfully placed pauses and eclectic tones, ranging from caressing woodwind lines to more guttural glimpses and snake-like effects. His interpretation of “My Favourite Things” captivates as well, shifting between hypnotic rhythms and flute-led movements. Elsewhere, album finale “Twilight” showcases the instrument’s shift between introspective and heightened pitches, bringing a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to an impressive album from Faris Ishaq.
—
“Ard” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
