Katayoun Goudarzi & Shujaat Husain Khan: Spring

If you want to try to open your ears to “world” music, this might do it for you. Sitarist Shujaat Husain Khan teams up with Ajay Prasaana/fl, Abhiman Kaushal/table and vocalist Katayoun Gourdarzi  to mix sounds of Persia and India. Gourdarzi has a wonderfully enticing nasal sound to her voice, weaving in and out of moody pieces such as “Sanama” and “My Insane Heart.” The themes here are subdued, and the pace is quite patient. The half tones and harmonies may take a bit getting used to, but that’s just like trying food from a new restaurant as well. If you’re up for an adventure, here’s a good place to start.

www.shujaathusainkhan.com