Wahid - Inside Silence
Had a massage lately? How about shopping. Been to Hot Topic? Maybe Ten Thousand Villages? What about Earthbound Trading Company? You may have heard the music of Wahid and didn't realize it. Just who are these guys?
Wahid is a duo consisting of Dimitris Mahlis (oud) and Chris Wabich(frame drums). The word "wahid" means "one" and in this case, represents the joining of instruments and music from the East and West. Mahlis is the composer and has the distinction of having significant selections of his work taught as a regular part of the curriculum at the LA Music Academy. They have played together for over a decade in ensembles and as a duo.
"Inside Silence" is both the title and opening track and is a testimony to the value of the lack of sound. Like the importance of negative space in a photographic print, the silence between notes and phrases is pointed out here in a composition that is truly representative of the thoughts and emotions of the
composer, Mahlis. "Trust and Enjoy" is a totally improvised piece and perhaps the favorite of this reviewer. I listened to this album while editing photos for my website and this piece as much as any on the CD held my attention and came out of the background making me listen closer.
This album was recorded in a manner that brings out the unique sounds of each of the instruments which predate this project by hundreds of years. One example is that no less than five mics were placed inside the oud (shown here) to capture the wooden tone and richness of the instrument. The recording was done not in a studio, but a wooden room, a cathedral in fact. The end product is pleasure to enjoy with the full sound of a component system, not an iPod or laptop. Put this CD on your best equipment and share an in-the-moment experience with the artists.
Inside Silence was released in January 2011 and is available by download (Amazon).
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