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Best Of - Vol I: 1994-2009 2021

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Best of Emam & Friends albums from 1994 to 2009: Indian Dream Is This Real? Instruments of Devotion Sacred Insanity Voices of the Goddess Jai Ganesha

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1) Sacred Insanity (Emam) The title song of the album "Sacred Insanity". The name comes from the insane rhythm cycle of the song! These melodies were originally composed in a 9 beat (or 18) rhythm cycle which is subdivided 4+4+4+6. That version is called Dance of the Hermit. Here we do the same melodies, except instead of three 4 beat phrases, we use 5 beat phrases, which makes it 5+5+5+6 (21)! Sivamani drums George Brooks sax Matthew Montfort guitar Emam tabla Moses Sedler cello

2) Maha Maya - Part I (Emam) A "Chill out" piece perfect for quiet moments. A nice change after the sacredly insane! From the album "Is This Real?" Matthew Montfort guitar Leroy Critcher electric guitar Paul Grant santur Emam nylon string guitar

3) Peace Please (Emam) Eastern Europe meets middle East in India! A masterful violin solo by Zoltan over a middle eastern groove created by Emam using dumbak, tabla, and by Taufiq on timbale. From the album "Indian Dream". Zoltán Lantos violin Taufiq Qureshi timbale Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam tabla, dumbak Babu Lal dholak

4) Jai Ganesha (Emam) A song dedicated to the elephant headed deity "Lord Ganesh", son of "Lord Shiva". It brings together Indian classical music with Eastern European and Middle Eastern music. Mukesh Sharma sarod Asif Ali Khan sarangi Moses Sedler cello Taufiq Qureshi dumbak Emam dumbak, percussion Dave Lewis drums

5) Come to Poland - Bansuri Mix (Emam) Written for my ex who used to keep asking me to "Come to Poland" when we first met! From the album "Jai Ganesh". Mukesh Sharma sarod Deepak Ram bansuri Asif Ali Khan sarangi Indu Prakash vocals Robert Szydło bass Dave Lewis drums Emam tabla

6) Oh Mata (Trad/Adapt.Emam) A devotional melody dedicated to the Divine Mother. It is a kirtan song popular with the devotees of Maha Avatar Babaji. From the album "Instruments of Devotion". Zoltán Lantos violin Naushad Ahmed tabla Emam dumbak Matlub Hussain Khan sitar Sami Khan sarod Ravi Rohtgi dholak

7) Step into Your Future - Part 1 (Emam) A two part futuristic song packed with improvisations by Deepak on bansuri and Zoltan on the violin. From the album "Jai Ganesh". Zoltán Lantos violin Deepak Ram bansuri Kai Eckhardt bass Artur Dutkiewicz keyboards Emam tabla, percussion Dave Lewis drums

8) Step into Your Future - Part 2 (Emam) A two part futuristic song packed with improvisations by Deepak on bansuri and Zoltan on the violin. From the album "Jai Ganesh". Zoltán Lantos violin Deepak Ram bansuri Kai Eckhardt bass Artur Dutkiewicz keyboards Emam tabla, percussion Dave Lewis drums

9) Artichoke (Emam) A song written for Gari who used to own a music store in Portland (OR), called "Artichoke Music". From the album "Is This Real?". Emam tabla Geoff Johns dumbak Gari Hegedus oud

10) Ode to Zanko (Emam) Originally created as a lullaby, written for my partner at the time who's initials were "KML" (see last song on this album) while we lived on a street called "Zanko". Eventually, we recorded this version which is upbeat and groovy! Also ended up changing the name. From the album "Voices of the Goddess". Irina Mikhailova lead vocals Suzanne Sterling vocals Tytus Wojnowicz oboe Kai Eckhardt bass Matthew Montfort guitar Gari Hegedus oud Emam bayan, ghatam

11) Dancing Fairies (Emam) The same melodies as the piece Artichoke which is in a fast 7 beat rhythm cycle. Here it is performed in a 4/4 rhythm. From the album "Sacred Insanity". Matthew Montfort guitar Manose bamboo flute Sivamani drums Moses Sedler cello Emam nylon string guitar Narottama bass

12) Smile My Friend (Emam) Another song written for my friend Gari Hegedus who brings it to life with his amazing oud and mandocello. The addition of Moses Sedler on the cello is the icing on the cake! It is in a fast 5 (or 10) rhythm cycle. From the album "Sacred Insanity". Emam tabla Moses Sedler cello Gari Hegedus oud, mandocello

13) Think of Me (Emam & Suzanne) Lyrics by Suzanne Sterling & Emam: Think of me and I'll be there, I'll be there to heal you. Think of me and I'll be there, I'll be there to feel you. When the wind is blowing, When the day is long, When your heart is yearning, When you dream of home, Think of me............. Think of me, when the sun stops shining, Think of me, when the lightning strikes. I am near as the breath you're breathing, Think of me, I'll be by your side. Think of me............. I'll be there to feel you. I'll be there to feel you. Suzanne Sterling vocals Kai Eckhardt bass Matthew Montfort guitar Steve Robertson drums Emam ghatam, nylon string guitar

14) With All Your Heart (Emam) Lyrics by Emam: Sing to the Spirit, with all your heart with all your heart, with all your heart. Suzanne Sterling vocals Kai Eckhardt bass Matthew Montfort guitar Steve Robertson drums Moses Sedler cello Emam ghatam, dumbak, percussion

15) KML (Emam) A lullaby dedicated to my dear friend Kathleen who's initials are KML. Two tracks of nylon string guitar playing the simple melodies and the twelve string guitar providing the harmony. The added voices create a dreamy effect. From the album "Indian Dream". Turkantam 12 string guitar Emam nylon string guitar Farhad Dadyburjor keyboard (voices)

All compositions by Emam, except #6 Trad./Adapt. by Emam. Produced by Emam for Eternal Music. Published by Emam & Friends - (BMI). © Emam