Azam Ali- Portals of Grace

Artist:: Azam Ali

CD Title: Portals of Grace

Label: Narada World ( www.narada.com)

Review by Julie Johnson

"Portals of Grace", by Azam Ali teleports you back into an ancient mediecal world. This is essential world music with ethereal touchs. This is a CD that reminds me of music on Peter Gabriel's Realworld label. While listening to the album, you can use your imagaination a lot, especially maybe walking down streets or pathways in India or Eygpt. The album also takes you into a world of culture and beauty. Each song takes on a new world vibe direction from La Serena (Sephardii Judeo) Spanish to O Quanta Qualis (12th Century Latin) or Sackpipslat (instrumental from Sweeden) just a few of the highlights of this record. The feel of this CD is somber, and a feel of reflection that is given off by the careful instrumentation of various classical instruments. This is not a pop sounding CD, this a very mature artist and album. The music creates moments that will make you think about the world and cultures around you.