Words by Justin Turford
The always fearless Brighton label Hive Mind Records remains true to form with this new collaborative release from young Bengali migrant Mohammed After Hussein and Italian electronic artist Andrea Rusconi (aka Paq). Once again, the story behind the record is as interesting as the music contained within. Fleeing Bangladesh in 2015 and then having to escape again across the Mediterranean from the lawless mayhem of Libya, Md. After managed to make it to Italy where finally he found safety as an asylum seeker in Rimini's Associazione Ardea. It was here in this hard-earned place of sanctuary that he met Andrea who is involved with 'Ardea Recordings' - a project aiming to create an archive of songs, stories and sounds by some of the people who spent some time with Ardea's refugee programme.
A beautiful collision of cultures and spiritual sounds was about to occur. Md. After was invited by Andrea to sing and play the folk and village songs he knew (folk songs that derive from the ancient travelling Bengali mystics - the Bauls - whose search for divinity and transcendence meant offering ecstatic sound and dance in return for food from villagers) on the harmonium and pakhawaj (two headed drum). Though not from the Baul tradition, Md. After knew these songs well like most people in the Bangla region. Meanwhile, Andrea, with spectacular restraint and sympathy to the songs, added layers of drones utilising the Italian analogue Crumar synth and the the gorgeous resonance of the Veena zither, creating a wonderful harmonic fullness and the perfectly judged recording that we are discussing right now.
Joined on the recording by Daniele Tizzano (drums), Alfonso Fortino (harmonium, vocals) and Claudio Pianelli (percussion), together they have concocted a beautiful record of deep, meditative, cosmic spectacle. Sounding like a recording that could have appeared at any times since the 1960s, the alchemy of retro psychedelic synths and earthy truth-seeking songs of a time and place obstructed by conflict and history is a golden balm as evocative as the more contemplative experiments of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. ‘Matir Gaan’ is a warm bath of hypnotic melodies and gentle repetition and may just save your day.
The artwork absolutely rocks as well. A masterly release that gives and gives. 9/10
OUT NOW ON HIVE MIND RECORDS.
BUY HERE! https://mdafterhussainpaq.bandcamp.com/album/matir-gaan