This is just the merest sampling of the huge amount of music available east of NATO territory... I can hardly claim that this is a comprehensive, or even representative, sample of what's available. Nonetheless, these are some of the albums which have leapt out at me over the last few years -- hopefully you will find these records as striking as I have. And keep checking this site for more reviews-- it is sure to expand over time. This is the first page covering the letter "L"...
Lalezar "Music Of The Sultans, Sufis And Seraglio, v. 1: Sultan Composers" (Traditional Crossroads, 2000)
The first two of a four-CD collection of Ottoman Empire music, recorded by one of Turkey's premier folkloric ensembles. This series should appeal to world music enthusiasts and early music fans alike, as the music's antiquity is balanced by the passion and grace of the performers; also appealing are the exotic sounds of unusual instrumentation and the fascinating historical presentation. Volume One concentrates on the compositions of royalty -- formal court music written by various sultans during the 17th- 20th centuries. The Asiatic nature of Turkish classical music has never been more apparent, as well as the European influences that intertwined it during the heyday of the Empire. At least as the Lalezar ensemble performs it, this resembles a mix of Japanese classical with medieval liturgical vocals. The second disc has an even more colorful story behind it -- it is kocekce music, which was written for an unusual group of performers, the cross-dressing "dancing boys" of Istanbul. The dancing boys were a drag variant of the female erotic dancers of the time. Originally, the kocek were a respected part of Turkish cultural life, a professional performing class supported by the largesse of the Empire itself. However as the Ottomans lost ground militarily (and economically) in the 19th Century, many of the dancing boys lost their patronage and turned to more explicit prostitution in order to survive. This in turn led to their being banned, and their music suppressed by the sultans; elements of the kocekce music were gradually re-integrated into Turkish popular music, but this CD concentrates on the original versions. A little less accessible than the first volume, but fascinating nonetheless.
Lalezar "Music Of The Sultans, Sufis And Seraglio, v. 2: Music Of The Dancing Boys" (Traditional Crossroads, 2000)
Runa Laila "The Teenage Prodigy" (EMI-Odeon, 1970) (LP)
My first exposure to Bangladeshi playback singer Runa Laila (identified here as being from "East Pakistan," which was soon to be an international sore point..) As the album title implies, Runa Laila hit the Asian pop scene young, and with a big bang... The music has a classic Bollywood feel, though the arrangements stick closer to more controlled, ghazal -based arrangements and at least here the music doesn't go off on the same wild, erratic flights as Indian film music. This is a collection of early works from 'Sixties films such as Aasra, Hum Dono and Gharonda -- her first full LP, I believe. Her voice is quite nice -- pure, confident tones and measured delivery, the music is solid, with hints of a more experimental side in a few of the arrangements. Nice.
Asian & Islamic Albums: Letter "M"
Asian Music Index
World Music Index
