By Keith Walsh
Bringing the sounds of other continents to sound systems in the Western world, The Shadow Majlis mix Eastern scales and modes with instruments from India and the Middle East and dance beats into a popular format with a spiritual inflections.
The just released lyric video for “Mazdur,” features band leader Ali Jafri on multiple instruments, including guitars, bass, synth, frame drum, and vocals. Added to the mix are David J (Bauhaus, Love And Rockets) on bass, Rakesh Tawari on drums, Anne Boune on cello, Ravi Naimpally on tabla, and David Bottrill on synths. The result is an intoxicating track that finds Jafri searching for his beloved, while dreaming and while awake, in a fusion of world beat, rock, and trip hop.
“I’m in the dark/I’m catatonic/Mouthing the words we’ll never say/I hear your whispers louder than a scream/When I’m alone, I hear you call me/When I’m alone, I know you’re near me/Out in the field, we are together/But it’s only a dream.”
From “Mazdur” by The Shadow Majlis
On “Mazdur,” Jafri plays guitar in the Locrian mode, a minor mode which serves the mysterious beauty of the track well. World music/rock hybrids were previously heard on college radio and in the collections of curious music seekers who craved something beyond boring commercial tunes. Artists like Dead Can Dance and Peter Gabriel helped bring some of these sounds to a wider audience,and the addition of Shadow Majlis to this roster brings tunes with skillful songwriting and performances to the West. Jafri is located in Toronto, Canada.
“Mazdur” is from the newly released album The Departure which explores aspects of a quest for truth and peace, as Jafri grieves the loss of his young son Oisin, who passed in 2022 at the age of 7. In addition to David J on bass throughout, The Departure features other special guests including the phenomenal drumming of Rakesh Tewari, Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy, Tricky, The Mission) on guitar, and Soriah with Tuvan throat singing and flute. The album combines popular song forms with instruments not always associated with rock formats, in a rich ten track set that delivers soul transporting vibes. The Departure was mixed by Grammy winner David Bottrill, who has produced and/or mixed Peter Gabriel, Tool, King Crimson, David Sylvian, and Muse, among many others. It’s the debut release from The Shadow Majis.
The Shadow Majlis Dot Com
The Shadow Majlis On Bandcamp
‘The Departure’ On Spotify
‘The Departure’ On Apple Music
finis