Persian-Jewish singer, composer and anthropologist Galeet Dardashti collaborated with the voice of her late grandfather the late, Iranian singer Younes Dardashti on her latest album Monajat (released September 9, 2023). Sampling from an audio artifact that her grandfather recorded in Iran, Galeet artistically interpreted the Persian-Jewish Selihot ritual and crafted a call and response dynamic like time and space traveling on a set of music recorded and produced in a modern mode with the backing of Middle Eastern and jazz musicians in New York. The single “Melekh” puts the elder Dardashti’s vocals front and center in impassioned performance, the newer musical recordings setting a deep mood like a mix of alternative jazz lounge and Middle Eastern devotional music. The blend makes both somehow more accessible, the more traditional with a hip modern flavor like a new form of jazz rooted post-punk. Its a vibrant hybrid sound that both Dardashti’s sustain across all of Monajat. Listen to “Melekh” on Spotify where the rest of the album can be found as well for your listening pleasure.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
You must be logged in to post a comment.