DESCRIPTION
Live from the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music this year, this exquisite kanun solo piece, ‘Taqsim’, takes the most subtle longings of the soul and turns them into sound. Ethereal and and intensely beautiful, this evocative instrumental is masterfully performed by Onur Cicin in maqam Nahawand with allusions to Bayati.
CREDITS
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
DESCRIPTION
Recorded live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June 2019, Sami Yusuf’s latest single ‘The Key’ is based on a famous centuries-old Andalusian folk song. This musically rich piece is beautifully performed here by world class musicians accompanying Sami Yusuf’s signature vocals. New English lyrics along with the original Arabic poem weave together seamlessly to create a stunning sound that is peaceful, exotic and centering.
CREDITS
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
DESCRIPTION
‘Hamziyya’ is a multi-layered piece that brings together music inspired by an Algerian mystical chant with a melody suggestive of the English folk tradition. In the interweaving of these musical expressions the listener can hear how traditional music is always in harmony, never dissonant. ‘Hamziyya’ was initially released on Sami Yusuf’s album Barakah, but this is a completely new arrangement with a never-before-heard Taqsīm composition in the Intro.
The Intro was performed for the first time at the 2019 Fes Festival of Sacred Music. In it each solo instrument explores a unique maqam or musical mode: Sīkah (qanun), Bayāti (bağlama), Rāst (ney), Hījāz (oud), and eventually returning to Rāst. Each of these modes is known to have a distinct emotional effect on the listener. Here the transitions from one mode to another are arranged to evoke various stages of an inner journey.
The lyrics come from portions of the thousand-verse Hamziyya (poem rhyming in hamza) by the renowned Palestinian scholar Yusuf Nabhani (d. 1932). Because it describes the Prophet’s life and character, it’s frequently recited during Mawlid celebrations of the Prophet’s (pbuh) birthday.
CREDITS
Music Composed and Arranged by Sami Yusuf
(Refrain based on a mystical Algerian chant)
Words by Yusuf Nabhani
English translation by T J Winter
Additional translation by Yousef Casewit and Saad Ansari
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
Ṣalla l-Lāhu ‘alā Ṭāhā
Khayri l-khalqi wa-’aḥlāhā
God’s blessings be upon Taha,
Best of creation and the sweetest
Khayru l-khalqi huwa l-hādī
Nūru l-kawni bihi bādī
Best of [God’s] creation, he’s the guide
The light of existence shines through him
‘Amma n-nāsa bi-’irshādi
’Azka l-khalqi wa-’arḍāhā
He encompassed all mankind with his guidance
Purest of creation and the most pleasing
Nūru l-Lāhi l-mutaqaddim
Qabla l-khalqi l-muta‘allim
The first light of God
He was taught before all other creation
Badru n-nūri l-mutalaththim
Hādi l-khalqi li-Mawlāhā
The veiled light of the full moon
Guiding creation to its Lord
Ba‘da s-sidrati qad sārā
Wa-ra’a l-ḥaqqa wa-’anwārah
Beyond the Sidra* he walked
And saw The Truth and His Lights
Waqafa r-ruḥu wa-ma sārā
Idhhab waḥdaka yā Ṭāhā
The Spirit (Jibra’il) stopped and did not continue
[saying] go on alone Taha
Irża l-Lāha bi-l-ālāf
‘an ’ahli l-bayti l-’ashrāf
May God be pleased with his intimates
from his noble family
Wa-l-’aṣhābi ’ūli-l-’insāf
Nālu l-khulda wa-suknāhā
And his companions, the people of justice
Who gained eternity and its dwelling
Malīḥun lawnuhū**
Kahīlun ṭarfuhū
Jamīlun na‘tuhū
Ṣalla l-Lāhu ‘alā Ṭāhā
Of fine complexion
His eyes, dark and wide
Of beautiful face
The guide, with whom God is satisfied
Qamarīyun wajhuhū
Bahīyun shakluhū
‘Aẓīmun khuluquhū
Ṣalla l-Lāhu ‘alā Ṭāhā
His face is like the moon
His form is resplendent
His character is mighty
Taha, the chosen one
Rahīmun qalbuhū
Ṣadūqun wa‘duhū
‘Amīmun jūduhū
Māḥin muntaqā
His heart is kind,
His promises are kept
His generosity is vast
The effacer (of sins), the chosen one
Ṣalātu Rabbī
Ma‘a s-salāmi
‘Alā Muhammad
Zaynu l-’asāmī
The blessings of my Lord
And His peace
Upon Muhammad
The most beautiful of names
Maqām: Bayātī
Commentary: “Ṣalla l-Lāhu ‘alā Ṭāhā” was written by the Sudanese/Egyptian Shaykh Salih al-Ja’fari (d. 1979) who taught and lived at the famous al-Azhar University in Cairo and was also the Imam of the al-Azhar mosque. He was a Sufi shaykh in the lineage of Ahmad ibn Idris of Fez (d. 1837) and a prolific author of works on the Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic law and Sufism. He also wrote a celebrated collection of poetry, from which this song is taken. The end section incorporates the blessed names of the Prophet (pbuh) taken from the Diwan of the famous Moroccan Sufi saint Imam Mohammed Al-Jazuli’s (d. 1465), Dala’il al-Khayrat.
*The Sidra is a reference to the “Lote tree of the furthest boundary” (sidrat al-muntahā) mentioned in the Qur’an (53:14) and described by the Prophet on his night journey to heaven (mi’rāj). The sidra marks the outer boundaries that separate the created world (‘ālam al-khalq) from the spiritual world of the divine command (‘ālam al-amr).
**This section is an original composition with words provided by Mohammed Ali El Oumari and Abdel Ilah Ikhal. The inspiration behind the melody comes from an old Kurdish folk song heard by Sami Yusuf when he was a child.
Words by Shaykh Salih al-Ja’fari
Music: Traditional Islamic (unknown provenance)
Performed and arranged by Sami Yusuf
Recorded at Andante Studios
Ya Rasul Allah Pt 2, the latest release from Sami Yusuf, is a beautiful devotional piece that originated in Kurdish mystical circles. The piece is masterfully performed, and lovers of traditional music will be captivated by the subtle longing in the melody and the rhythm that is reminiscent of circles of remembrance. This new arrangement was recorded live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.
Ṣallū ‘alayhi shafī’ l-’ummah
Send salutations upon him, the intercessor of the Muslim nation
Bi dhikri r-Rasūl tushḥadhu l-himmah
By mentioning the messenger we sharpen our zeal
Yā Rabbi bi-jāhin Nabī ’azihi l-ghummah
O God, for the sake of the prophet, clear the adversity
Ṣallū ‘ala l-Hādi l-Bashīr*
Send salutations upon The Guide and Bearer of good tidings
Ḥabībī l-Badri l-Munīr
My beloved the luminous full moon
Shafī’ī ‘inda l-Qadīr
My intercessor with the All-Powerful
Ṣallū ‘alayhi
Send salutations upon him!
Ṣallū bi-’aḥla l-kalām
Send salutations upon him with the sweetest of words!
Ṣallū ‘ala l-badri t-tamām
Salutations upon him, the full-moon
Rasūlī, khayri l-’anām
My messenger, the best of mankind!
CREDITS
Words by Dr. Imed Nsiri
Music: Traditional
Additional Composition and Arrangement by Sami Yusuf
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
I am walking, burning, burning,
Love has stained my heart with yearning,
Neither crazy nor discerning –
Come, see, what love has done to me.
Gel gör beni beni aşk neyledi
Derde giriftar eyledi
Come, see, what love has done to me.
One day like the winds I’m blowing,
One day like the roads I’m going,
One day like the floods I’m flowing.
Come, see, what love has done to me.
Take my hand and keep me staying –
Take me else, to You conveying,
No more tears, for laughs I’m praying.
Come, see, what love has done to me.
Walking round with Majnun’s madness,
Seeing Her in dreams my gladness,
Waking up again in sadness.
Come, see, what love has done to me.
I am Yunus, poor and stricken,
From my exile my steps quicken,
Head to toe I hurt and sicken.
Come, see, what love has done to me.
Ben yürürüm yane yane
I am walking, burning, burning,
Aşk boyadı beni kane
Love has stained my heart with yearning,
Ne akilem ne divane
Neither crazy nor discerning –
Gel gör beni aşk neyledi
Derde giriftar eyledi
Come, see, what love has done to me.
Come, see, what love has done to me.
DESCRIPTION
Makam: Segah
‘Come See’ (Ben Yürürüm Yane Yane) is a Sufi song that is very popular throughout Turkey and the Balkans. Its lyrics come from a poem by the 13th century Turkish poet and mystic, Yunus Emre, whose poetry speaks to the human longing and love for the Divine. This song has been sung for centuries in Sufi ceremonies in Turkish-speaking lands and it continues to be a source of inspiration today. The English translation was provided by Dr Timothy Winter. In Makam Segah, this new arrangement was performed live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in 2019.
CREDITS
Words by Yunus Emre
English translation by T J Winter
Music: Traditional
Additional Composition and Arrangement by Sami Yusuf
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
Sami Yusuf’s new arrangement of ‘Ilahana’ is performed here live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (2019). The opening vocal solo sets a mood of intense longing and divine separation. The percussive, energetic melody and sparse instrumentation of the piece underscore its ecstatic vocals, leading the listener to a trance-like state. A sophisticated work, composed in Maqam Sīkah with allusions Rahat al-Arwah and Shad ‘Araban, this stands as a tribute to the enduring legacy of traditional music with its many nuances. The lyrics are by the much-loved poet Abu Nuwas (8th/9th c.). The renowned Moroccan singer Ismail Boujiya joins in this powerful piece, which will be included in Sami Yusuf’s forthcoming album, ‘Ecstasy’.
إلهنا.. ما أعدلك
O our God, how just You are,
مليكَ كل من ملك
You are the King of all kings [or Owner of all who own].
لبيك قد لبيتُ لك
Here I am, I answer Your call,
لبيك إن الحمدَ لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
والملكُ لك، يا مولاي
And all sovereignty, O Master.
الله يا الله، يا مولانا
Allah, Allah, O our Master.
سبحانه ما أعظمه
How great is His glory,
والملك له، لا شريك له
And there is no partner in His sovereignty.
لبيك إن الحمدَ لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
والعز، لا شريك لك
And You have no partner in glory.
الله وحده.. لا شريك له
Allah is One, He has no partners.
الله الله الله
Allah, Allah, Allah,
لا إله إلا هو
There is no god but Him.
الله الله الله
Allah, Allah, Allah,
لا إله إلا هو
There is no god but Him.
إلهنا.. ما أعدلك
O our God, how just You are,
مليكَ كل من ملك
You are the King of all kings [or Owner of all who own].
لبيك قد لبيتُ لك
Here I am, I answer Your call,
لبيك إن الحمدَ لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
و هو أول و هو آخر، الظاهر والباطن
He is First, and He is Last, the Outer and the Inner,
و الوالي ما أعظمه
And how great is the Friend and Protector,
والملك له، لا شريك له
And He has no partners is His sovereignty.
لبيك إن الحمد لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
والعز، لا شريك لك
And You have no partner in glory.
الوكيل، القوي، المتين، الغني،
The Guardian, the Possessor of all Strength, the Impassible, the Rich One,
اللطيف، الخبير، الحليم
The most Subtle and Gracious, the All-Aware, the Forbearing,
سبحانه، ما أعدله
How just He is,
مليكَ كل من ملك
You are the King of all kings [or Owner of all who own].
لبيك قد لبيتُ لك
Here I am, I answer Your call,
لبيك إن الحمدَ لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
ارحمنا، واسترنا، واحفظنا من كل بلوى، الرحيم، يا مولانا
Have mercy on us, and help us, and save us from every calamity, O our Master.
إلهنا.. ما أعدلك
O our God, how just You are,
مليكَ كل من ملك
You are the King of all kings [or Owner of all who own].
لبيك قد لبيتُ لك
Here I am, I answer Your call,
لبيك إن الحمدَ لك
Here I am, verily all thanks are due to You,
سبحانه
Glory be to Him.
CREDITS
Composed and Arranged by Sami Yusuf
Words by Abū Nuwās
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing & Postproduction by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
PERFORMERS (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: daf, bendir & vocals
Ömer Avci: bendir, tef, kudum & vocals
Onur Cicin: qanun
Sezgin Yaman: oud
Emre Kayacan: kemanche
Hasan Kirkisoglu: ney
Mahyar Toreihi: santoor
Hüseyin Can Pala: bağlama
AND
Sami Yusuf
Special thanks to Ismail Boujia & his group for joining as guest vocalists (From right to left):
Mostafa El Lachkar
Ismail Boujia
Elouafi Mohammed
Hamza Idrissi
Mohammed El Alami
Abderrazak Idrissi
Sami Yusuf’s ‘Live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music’ is an album of new compositions and unique arrangements by the celebrated musician. Recorded at the 2019 Festival, ‘Live at the Fes Festival’ is a celebration of sacred music inspired by a rich legacy of mystical poems, rhythms, and melodies that span centuries. Here Sami Yusuf is accompanied in these new works by master musicians from around the world performing on traditional instruments, and is joined by the renowned Moroccan singer Ismail Boujiya and his group.