Dozan: Introducing Dozan

opis:
www.multikulti.com
Założony przez charyzmatyczną wokalistkę Shireen Abu-Kader zaspół Dozan bazując na elementach na Bliskim Wschodzie bardzo ważnych w pełen akustycznej magii sposób tworzy porywającą, wielobarwną opowieść.
Nad wszystkim unosi się duch międzykulturowego porozumienia. Dość dodać, iż muzycy pochodzą z Syrii, Jordanii, Libanu i Palestyny.
Trzy elementy odpowiedzialne są za muzyczną wyjątkowość albumu: pierwszy to instrumentarium, z których Lutnia Arabska/Oud i instrument perkusyjny Daff/Tar pojawiają się nieomal zawsze w składach bliskowschodnich zespołów.
Drugi to mistrzostwo wykonawcze członków zespołu, z których część to klasycznie wykształceni muzycy, a Shireen Abu-Kader to najbardziej charyzmatyczna z wokalistek/animatorek współczesnej Jordanii.
Trzeci element to skrząca się bliskowschodnią wielobarwnością kobiercowa muzyka, w pełni akustyczna, z dochowaniem niezbędnej uwagi każdemu brzmieniowemu szczegółowi.


Editor's info:
CELEBRATING ARABIC FOLKLORE
An innovative acoustic ensemble celebrating Arabic folk culture, Dozan was founded by Jordanian vocalist Shireen Abu-Khader and the Dozan wa Awtar Establishment. Featuring renowned musicians from across the Middle East Introducing Dozan showcases mystical Sufi influenced songs handed down through the generations, alongside beautiful Arab classics and a smattering of haunting contemporary compositions.
This modern folkloric chamber group consists of incredibly gifted Arab musicians, all based in Jordan. The ensemble represents all ages, origins, training and experience, accomplished in combining western and eastern instruments and singing techniques. Each of the three singers and four instrumentalists from Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon represent a unique flavour of their own Levantine heritage and musical treasures.
Boasting a masterful blending of voice and instrumentation, Dozan perform songs they grew up with, handed down by teachers and grandparents alike, at schools and family gatherings. Founder Shireen Abu-Khader is also the Director of Dozan wa Awtar Music Establishment, an arts organisation devoted to the promotion and preservation of Arabic choral music. With Dozan she has succeeded in creating an informal ensemble of Jordan's top musicians with an exceptionally intimate sound. The group has performed at some of Jordan's most inspiring locations: Amman's Roman Odeon Theatre, the shores of the Dead Sea and ancient Petra.
Dozan revives the pleasure of hearing the traditional songs afresh with the help their new arrangements, while respecting the beauty and authenticity of the originals. This recording is mostly about vocals: Jordanian tradition includes hymns from both the Christian and Muslim traditions, and female singers remain immensely popular in the region, whether they perform traditional songs or pop music. Dozan's songs have very simple but beautiful lines, reflecting the group's musical style: linear and profound, with lyrics narrating day-to-day stories with quirky humour. What makes the recording particularly unique is the added element of harmony, which is new to Jordan's secular music tradition.
True to the music's vocal nature, Dozan's arrangements rely mainly on two of the portable instruments that Arab people have always used for percussion: a large hand drum-tambourine called a daff or tar, and the traditional Arab stringed instrument, the lute or oud. String instruments have long been part of the Arab tradition, and Dozan have added two instruments that complement human voices - the viola for sweetness and the cello for richness. Unlike classical Arab orchestras which can be large and incorporate violins, keyboards and other compatible instruments, Dozan embraces an altogether more intimate effect, closer to an informal evening than a concert performance.


www.popmatters.com - by Deanne Sole, RATING: 6/10
[...] Dozan's seven Jordan-based musicians come from Palestine and Syria, as well as Jordan itself. The group is named for the Dozan wa Awtar Music Establishment. Its founder and lead female singer, Shireen Abu-Khader, is also the director and founder of Dozan wa Awtar. She is the woman holding one hand to the side of her head on the front cover of Introducing Dozan. Abu-Khader also heads the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at King's Academy in Madaba, directing choirs, composing music, and running workshops. The photograph on her Academy web page makes her seem less mysterious than the one on the front of the album. On the album she appears to be a representative of the sandy, antique building behind her, a thoughtful, prophetic woman. On the website she looks like a chirpy drama teacher.
[...]
The music is primarily, strongly, but not exclusively, Arabic. Outside influences segue in. There are times when the musicians decide to give their Levantine heritage a jazz moment. Near the start of "'Ajga" it sounds as if the instruments might be about to launch into the overture of an opera, perhaps a minute or two of incidental Western classical music. This impression flashes past, then we're back to the oud. The neatness of the arrangements, and the way the voices come together, suggest madrigals. It's this easygoing combination of Middle Eastern and European sounds that make Introducing Dozan a good bridge, a useful album for someone from a Euro background who wants to feel her way into Middle Eastern music but isn't sure where to start. An urbanely cultured folk music disc. [...]

worldmusiccentral.org - by: TJNelson
[...] Opening with the elegant "Lamma Bada Yatathanna," Dozan proves straight off that traditional Arab folk music needn't be seen as staid or merely quaint. Dozan vocalists Shireen Abu Khader, Nadine Shahuan and Rashwan Sabbagh sit squarely center stage throughout the CD, including the playful version of "Ya Jarati," the spare, mystical "Ya Layl" and the classically stunning "Hal Asmar Allon."
[...]
The crystalline vocals of Ms. Abu Khader and Ms. Shahuan against the richly wrought vocals of Mr. Sabbagh on "Tal'a Min Bayt Abuhu" bring to mind sitting a courtyard with a glass of tea surrounded by birds singing in the trees, the effect is charming. It is instrumental track "Ajga" that allows the musicians of Dozan to really spread their wings. Plumy with viola, oud, cello and daff, "Ajga" starts out a mysterious journey with dark turns of phrase before leaping headlong into a Middle Eastern jazz riff that is simply electrifying.

Putting a fresh face on the traditional, Introducing Dozan points Arab folk music in an entirely new direction without losing its simple beauty or elegance, so with its wealth of remarkable talent, Dozan is set for a remarkable journey. [...]

www.411mania.com - by Michael Adler
[...] there's not much to recommend here unless you're already in to Arabic folk music. It's not going to set the world on fire, nor is it particularly innovative. It's a collaboration of musicians who set out to make some solid compositions, and it's exactly what they did. [...]

Independent - by Michael Church


[...] Singer Shireen Abu-Khader fronts an ensemble of musicians from across the Middle East in a series of songs drawn from both Muslim and Christian traditions: the effect is interestingly unplaceable, and Shireen's voice has irresistible charm. The ensemble's desire to win new audiences for their traditional songs leads them to experiment with new modes, without erasing what makes their music special. [...]