A Prayer For The Soul Of Layla
Iranian-American keyboardist Jamshied Sharifi has the right idea, trying to make his keyboard sound like a "natural" instrument in this ambitious album that blurs the line between world music and New Age. With some strong guests like MoroccangimbriplayerHassan Hakmounand singing starPaula Cole, he uses Middle Eastern rhythms and ideas as his framework to take his music to another place that exists outside geography. The album is often stunningly beautiful, as on the luminous title track or on "Ammeh Kimia," with the lush voice of Marie Afonso contributing. It's an example of the best worldbeat with Sharifi leading from the back, using his keyboard to sketch the colors while the others provide the detail. Projects like this walk a tightrope--they can either be absolute triumphs or pure slush and Sharifi makes sure his falls in the former category. Spiritual and haunting in the best way,A Prayerrepays repeated playing.--Chris Nickson