"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
Atlas Maior composed a 12/8 section using the Colombian currulao, as a nod to the African
"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.
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.