A Flower In Bloom

In the course of our journey of musical discovery around the globe, we recently discovered a jewel on the Caspian Sea: Sevda Alekperzadeh. “Sevda has a sensual voice, of the kind we have been seeking for a long time. Brilliant in the high registers, then, after dynamically balanced transitions, warm, sometimes even smoky in the lower registers.” She is already a star in her own country, and she literally charms her audience during her numerous exciting concerts. The musical world of Azerbaijan is strongly influenced by the classical Mugam tradition. Because of the great scope given to improvisation in that tradition, it is a marvellous breeding ground for outstanding musicians. Some of the best of them make up Sevda's illustrious band. Their multifaceted repertoire is chock-full of surprises, ranging from modern renderings of serene Mugam pieces to jazzed-up ballads and Afro-Cuban rhythms to unique Caucasian salsa sounds. The Flower in Bloom CD, which contains many new recordings, is a world premier, Sevda's first introduction to an international audience.