Khamira have released a live album to celebrate their 10th anniversary as a band. Having self-released their first album Khamira (Bopa 003) in 2017, and then releasing Undod/Unity on the Tŷ Cerdd label, Yn Fyw / live' has been self-released digitally only on the Bopa label. Khamira's characteristic sound is to be heard on Yn Fyw / Live as they blend Welsh folk tunes, Hindustani classical music and jazz. The album is a celebration of World music from Wales and India.
The album was recorded over two different tours, one in
2022 and the other in 2023 and both concerts were recorded at the Lost ARC, a
brilliant art space in Rhayader, mid Wales.
Khamira was created when the jazz/folk band Burum
traveled to India in 2015 as 3 members of the band (Tomos Williams, Aidan Thorne
and Mark O'Connor) joined three musicians from India (Aditya Balani, guitar,
Suhail Yusuf Khan, sarangi and voice, and Vishal Nagar, tabla and voice). The
intention was to create a cross-cultural band based on Welsh folk tunes and
Hindustani classical music blended through a jazz aesthetic. Since 2015 Khamira have performed world wide - from the Kolkata Jazz Festival, to the Hay
Festival, from the Ulsan Jazz Festival in South Korea to Goa Jazz Festival.
Khamira coined the term 'Improvised World Music from Wales and India' to
describe their music.
Yn Fyw / Live is released to celebrate the band's
birthday and also to mark the determination and tenacity it takes to enable a
trans-continental band to last for 10 years! It also comprises a collective of musicians.
In preparation for the Welsh tour of 2022, Khamira had a
number of problems with the UK visa system - Aditya Balani and Suhail Yusuf
Khan received their visas too late - a month after the tour had finished! There
was a disagreement between the UK and Indian governments at the time - so at
the very last minute Dan Messore joined on guitar (from Pembrokeshire) and the
brilliant Jonathan Mayer joined on sitar. I have had the pleasure of seeing
Jonathan play live on a number of occasions in Liverpool and Manchester. The
sound of the sitar enhances the music and is the
first time the sitar has featured on any of this band’s albums.
The sitar and the tabla intertwine perfectly, as they do
in Hindustani classical music. A highlight for me on this album was Vishal
Nagar's incredible 'konnakol' singing on the final track Y Gwydd.
Three of the tracks were recorded in 2022; Pan O'wn y Gwanyn, Marwnad yr Ehedydd, and Y Gwydd. Then in
2023, Aditya Balani and Suhail Yusuf Khan managed to reach Wales, but
unfortunately Vishal Nagar was unable to join this time, so Khamira performed
as a quintet. Mark O'Connor's amazing drumming replaces the tabla, while Suhail
Yusuf Khan's sarangi and voice are world class. Included from this tour are;
Undod/Unity, Dod Dy Law/Nāyakī Kānrā and Basant.
Throughout the album I found the trumpet playing of Tomos
Williams thrilling, his trumpet often soaring above both sitar and tabla. I found the music exciting, joyful and a
completely fresh sound crossing several genres. The fusion of western and
Indian musicians and instruments provides a completely unique sound in world
music. The track Undod/Unity is a cover of the Miles Davis song that was the title
track of the band’s last studio album which I really enjoyed.
Both live concerts were recorded at the Lost ARC,
Rhayader, mid Wales. Khamira will be promoting 'Yn Fyw / Live' with a
tour of Wales in October, which has been funded by the Arts Council of Wales .
For more information visit Khamira’s website: www.khamira.net
The album will be available on Khamira's BANDCAMP page and all
streaming platforms from Oct. 10. Richard Morris
Pan O'wn y Gwanwyn; Basant; Marwnad yr Ehedydd; Undod/Unity; Dod Dy Law/Nāyakī Kānrā; Y Gwydd
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