"Ya Ali" is the 2nd Single by Atlas Maior and Pakistani vocalist Ali Pervez Mehdi (1st Single NAZUK released 9/25/20). Song “Ya Ali,” sung in Panjabi is a tune originally inspired by Ali Farka Toure, a musical influence on Ali Pervez Mehdi at the time.
Atlas Maior composed a 12/8 section using the Colombian currulao, as a nod to the African Diaspora, but very different from a Farka Toure song energy wise. “The idea here was to write an Atlas Maior piece for Ali to sing, in a way, and in a context that was very different for him. "We wanted to create a song for him to improvise within, that challenged him musically and the entire band. I think we achieved that,” states Thomson. "Ya Ali" is a tune that draws on multiple music traditions and uses tools found in Pakistani ghazal, Colombian, Afro-Cuban, and progressive jazz.
Recorded in December of 2019 at King Electric Studio, “Ya Ali” was arranged & written by Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone), and Josh Peters (oud - Middle Eastern fret-less lute). and features traditional Pakistani poetry sung by Ali Pervez Mehdi. The track is bolstered by a rhythm section that includes the talents of Gary Calhoun James (double bass), and Aaron Parks (drums). “Ya Ali" was co-produced by Peters, Pervez Mehdi,, & Thomson, mixed by Gary Calhoun James, & mastered by Carl Saff.
credits
released October 16, 2020
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Ali Pervez Mehdi - vocals
Joshua Thomson - alto saxophone
Gary Calhoun James - double bass
Aaron Parks - drums
Josh Peters - oud, piano, percussion
Recorded by:
Gary Calhoun James at King Electric Studio - Austin, TX
Mastered by: Carl Saff at Saff Mastering - Austin, TX
Produced by: Ali Pervez Mehdi, Josh Peters, and Joshua Thomson
A lost classic of Greek jazz, this collection of songs threads snakelike melodies through a bubbling cauldron of drums. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 8, 2019