Arooj Aftab
Album: Bird Under Water
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 5
Website: https://soundcloud.com/aroojaftab

It's funny how some things ring bells and artists appear where you don't expect them. I was aware of Pakistan born US based and Berkley educated Arooj Aftab, via the obscure, at least on this side of the Atlantic, collaborative project, "The Julius Eastman Memorial Dinner". The project teamed Sufi influenced Arooj with DJ Rupture and ended up being one of Time Out's top classical albums of 2013.

Until now it is the classical arena where Arooj has forged her reputation. She was listed in NPR's list of the Top 100 composers under 40and was recognised by the New York Times for one of their best concerts of 2012. With that sort of history I'd been convinced that there were releases in her own name that I missed, but no, "Bird Under Water" is her debut album, but at 5 tracks and thirty minutes, I think I'd prefer the term mini-album, but however you interpret it, it's a real cracker.

Both Sufi and classical influences come through with a sound that really captures a fusion of the two into a whole that genuinely does feel like it's bring world influences into a single beating whole. It's also an album where you very quickly learn to expected the unexpected. I had been expecting to hear most of the sections of the orchestra across the tracks, really hadn't expected to hear accordions, particularly on the track called "Lullaby".

There is a real sense of cool, almost to the point of chill about the whole project. Arooj has a really strong vocal, though by and large the voice is used as an instrument rather than a purveyor of lyrics, though it does carry out that function as well.

It would be impossible to review, "Bird Under Water" without the use of the word depth, it's an album that works on body, spirit and soul. The hooks want to transport you off to other places, the sort of places where unicorns drink from waterfall fed pools. A real album of imaginings and reimaginings.

"Bird Under Water" has been a long time coming, but it would definitely be worth the wait. Arooj Aftab has delivered an album that is both eclectic and soothing. The arrangements are a real marriage of sounds and the result is an album that is going to have a very long honeymoon period.

Neil King