MAMAK KHADEM: Jostojoo Forever Seeking

Mamak Khadem

Jostojoo Forever Seeking

© 2007 Banyan tree Production (837101392617)

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a seamless tapestry from different cultures unified by Persian poetry and centered around the theme of love

notes

Mamak Khadem is a classically trained Persian singer who has studied her art extensively in both Iran and the United States. The lead singer of the cross-cultural Persian fusion ensemble Axiom of Choice, she has performed in many venues, including the Skirball Cultural Center, the Greek Theater, the Smithsonian Museum, and the House of Culture (Berlin), as well as at many festivals, including the Voices of Women Festival (Greece), and the World Festival of Sacred Music - Los Angeles. She has been a featured performer on numerous film and television scores, including those for the feature films “The Peacemaker”, “Traffic”, and “Dracula 2000,” and “The Profiler”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and “Battlestar Galactica” TV series. She has also recorded with Turkish singer Omar Faruk Tekbilek on the album Alif, with Jamshied Sharifi on A Prayer For The Soul Of Layla, and with Tulku on Season of Souls (later compiled on the Buddha-Bar series. Mamak also sang the music composed by Eve Beglarian in the production of the "Libation Bearers" directed by Lee Breuer at Patras Festival in Greece.

In her new solo recording “Jostojoo” (Forever Seeking), produced by Jamshied Sharifi, she aims to create music that is deeply connected to the Persian classical and folk music she has studied most of her life, but liberated from dogmatic considerations of form, instrumentation, and lyrical content. Inspired by Mamak's travels throughout the Middle East, the music is based on melodies from not only various regions in Iran, but from related musical cultures that share similar tenets and timbres. Mamak adapts Persian poetry to carefully chosen melodies from her country's folk and classical repertoire. The roots of her work are in the soil of tradition; its diverse melodic sources branch out across time periods to create a canopy of fresh interpretations. Jamshied contributes arrangements that respect the origin of the melodies, but look afield to orchestrations both simple and rich. He adds to this a production concept that adds breadth and depth to the essentially acoustic character of the recording. Musicians participating in the project include traditional performers from Iran and the Middle East, as well as world-aware instrumentalists living in the West.

reviews

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  • Jostojoo
    author: Antonio Manzone

    Mamak you are a great singer, I loved your album! By the way, the shipment by CDbaby was lightning-quick.

  • Jostojoo Forever Seeking
    author: rkritema

    Her voice does not become overshadowed by the musicians backing her up. This world-music album was exceptionally well-crafted. It's a listen that transports your emotions and imagination.

  • author: Mazyar Manshaei

    AMAZING VOICE!!! amazing lyrics... already excited about the follow up...:)

  • jostojoo
    author: yasi fillion

    This album is definately world music nomination material. Mamak Khadem is one of the rare persian vocalists that has managed use the elements of traditional persian music and give a contemporary sound to these lost folkloric songs. It's an album filled with rich emotions and colors. Yasi Fillion

  • jostojoo
    author: yasi fillion

    This album is definately world music nomination material. Mamak Khadem is one of the rare persian vocalists that has managed use the elements of traditional persian music and give a contemporary sound to these lost folkloric songs. It's an album filled with rich emotions and colors.

  • Mamak Khadem Jostejoo
    author: Natasha Schwartz

    Mamak Khadem has a remarkable voice and I have waited years for a new CD from her. This is magnificent and well worth the wait. The songs are rich and Mamak truely shines!

  • Passionate and Profound
    author: Ronda Berkeley

    Mamak Khadem artfully explores universal themes with depth and grace melding traditional sounds and a contemporary aesthetic - a joyful journey!

  • jostejoo
    author: hooshang ghahramanlou

    Thank you for your CD, you have used a lot of initiatives in this CD specially some of your songs vocal was more dominated and music was not strong to back of your vocal.the "Hydar" song was good and the excellent was #2 song which seems was folk from south east of Iran wich musicians never paid attention up to now and you did. overall I congeragulate you for your excellent work

  • author: saed sf

    Hi there I started with unfolding and was told by the lady Alma that had used one of the song for her openning, I like the unfolding specially track#7,and I like nyayesh and the Golnesa. I have some on ordered and I am sure that I will like them. keep on the good work. thanks sam

  • Brilliant
    author: SR

    It's a beautiful album. Although the first time I had the chance to hear her music was at Joe's pub at NYC , and that's really something you can't ever forget.A unique expeirence...

  • A masterpiece
    author: hamid kazemi

    Mamak and her music are more an experience rather than just music. It's trasformational. This CD is a perfect reflection of her true talents and passion. Get this CD. It is one of her best works.

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