presents

Sacred Insanity Re-Mastered 2019

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A World Beat album with influences from Jazz, Rock, Indian, Turkish, Eastern European, Spanish, New Age, Folk, and Devotional music.

We remastered a great album and made it sound even better!

Reviews

"Simply put, when truly gifted performers gather together in the spirit of total creative freedom, magic happens." PJ Birosik, nationally syndicated reviewer

"Classically trained tabla expert and percussionist Emam has augmented original compositions with a worldly ensemble. Sacred Insanity is an uplifting, introspective fusion of jazz, rock and folk music with influences of Indian, Turkish, Spanish, and Eastern European cultures, and brings out many of the historical connections between them. There is nothing nuts about everyone getting along, if even only on a CD." Dirty Linen Magazine - August/September 2000

"Sacred Insanity by Emam & Friends is an amazing stew of multi-ethnic instrumentalists and vocalists. The mandala on the cover is a visual indicator of the music - colorful, circular and in motion. Some great fusion drumming by Sivamani as well as Emam's tasty tabla and percussion." David Licht - Modern Drummer (March 2000)

Click one the song names to listen.

1) Dancing Fairies (Emam) This is one of my compositions that was originally in a fast 7 beat rhythm cycle and it was called Artichoke. Here it is performed in a 4/4 rhythm. The melody was composed for my friend Gari Hegedus (AKA Gary Haggerty). Matthew Montfort guitar Manose bamboo flute Sivamani drums Moses Sedler cello Emam nylon string guitar Narottama bass

2) Om Namah Shivay (Jillian Speer) This is Jillian's interpretation of the Sanskrit mantra Om Namah Shivay presented in a World Fusion style. Jillian Speer vocals, nylon string guitar Phil Baker bass Matthew Montfort guitar Kip Richardson drums Emam tabla

3) Sacred Insanity (Emam) The title song of the album. 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 which is the last song on this album. 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

4) Angel Among Us (Jillian Speer) Another of of Jillian's beautiful songs dedicated to healers (angels) who live among us and help us heal our wounds. Jillian Speer vocals, nylon string guitar Geoffrey Castle violin Tom Grant piano Phil Baker bass Emam dumbak Kip Richardson drums

5) Spanish Trance Part 1 (Traditional) This is a traditional Spanish song presented here in a completely new style which is Jillian's interpretation.

6) Smile My Friend (Emam) Another song I composed 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. Emam tabla Moses Sedler cello Gari Hegedus oud, mandocello

7) Gayatri (Jillian Speer) This is Jillian's interpretation of another powerful Sanskrit mantra known as the Gayatri Mantra presented in a World Fusion style. Gayatri Mantra is a highly revered mantra from the Rig Veda. Jillian Speer vocals, nylon string guitar Tom Grant piano Phil Baker bass Matthew Montfort guitar Emam tabla Kip Richardson drums

8) Gypsy Song (Traditional) This is Gari's interpretation if a Turkish traditional gypsy song presented here with the addition of the Indian tabla. It is in a fast 7 beat rhythm cycle. Emam tabla Gari Hegedus oud, violin

9) Spanish Trance Part 2 and 3 (Traditional) Another presentation of the same Spanish song from track #5, here it is presented instrumentally in a World Fusion style. Emam tabla Gari Hegedus oud, violin

10) The Rejected (Jillian Speer) Another one of Jillian's wonderful compositions dedicated to the unseen and untouchable people who live among us. Jillian Speer vocals, nylon string guitar Geoffrey Castle violin Phil Baker bass Emam dumbak Kip Richardson drums

11) Tinkers Dance (Traditional) Gari's interpretation of a traditional Macedonian folk song. This song was the inspiration behind my composition Smile My Friend (track # 6 on this album). It is also in a fast 5 rhythm cycle. Emam tabla Matthew Montfort guitar Gari Hegedus oud, mandocello

12) Dance of the Hermit (Emam) If a hermit was do dance, this is the kind of music I imagine they would dance to! This is in an Indian classical rhythm cycle called Matta Tal. The song goes through 4 different complete changes: starts with an Indian classical vocal section, then to a Jazz improve section, then back to an Indian classical section with the Bansuri and finally back to Jazz! Manose bansuri George Brooks sax Sivamani drums Shabda Kahn vocals Matthew Montfort guitar Moses Sedler cello Emam tabla Gari Hegedus oud

Produced by Emam for Eternal Music. Published by Emam & Friends - (BMI). Album notes by Emam.

Mandalas created by Emahmn - MagicMandala.net.