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Reviews

Richard Horowitz & Sussan Deyhim — Majoun
(Sony Music SK 62721, 1996, CD)

by Mike Ohman, Published 1999-01-01

Majoun Cover art

To me, Majoun is everything “world music” ought to be, but usually isn't. This collaboration between composer / multi-instrumentalist Richard Horowitz and Iranian vocalist Sussan Deyhim is a resolute musical statement of kaleidoscopic outlook, a nearly complete cross-section of Earth culture. Just a glance at the lineup (including members of Living Colour, Tackhead, and other rock bands, plus Iranian trance musicians and members of the Moroccan National Radio and Television Orchestra) looks impressive. And it doesn't get more impressive than the title song, which opens the disc; made up almost entirely of layered samples of Deyhim's voice. Her voice is effortless, yet emotional, and a joy to listen to. It's the perfect complement to Horowitz's evocative music, which knows no borders. Building on a Middle Eastern base, all manner of other instrumentation is used; rock bass here, sitar there, snippets of gamelan-like percussion and an assorted confetti of who-knows-what else. If you must have a comparison, Dirk Campbell's Music from a Round Tower comes to mind in terms of scope, but this one really hangs on Deyhim's haunting vocals. It sounds like something someone might want to do a dance remix of, but to my ears it's fine as it is. A music of strange magic and allure.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 16, 1996 releases

Related artist(s): Sussan Deyhim & Richard Horowitz

 

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