In the Footsteps of Rumi

The 13th-century mystic Jalaluddin Rumi has become the most famous of Sufi poets as his lyrics chime with a modern, pluralistic mentality. Still today, his verse is a mainstay of Persian music, but he wrote not only in Persian, but also in Arabic. With Tunisian-born singer, Ghalia Benali, the Constantinople ensemble explore both languages on this remarkable album, often alongside each other in one track with similar reflections on the divine. Benali has a rich and grainy alto voice which pushes and pulls against the mainly drone accompaniment of the opening track ‘Awatadhkourou / Poushideh Chon Jân’ (Do You Remember / Invisible as Soul). ‘Awatadhkourou’ is an Arabic poem written by Salamony Ahmed in 1979 over which Iranian-born Kiya Tabassian sings a Rumi lyric in Persian. As always with Constantinople, the instrumental playing is outstanding with plucked setar (Kiya Tabassian), oud and kanun, bowed kemençe and some powerful percussion. It’s just drums that drive the vocals in ‘Fatwa for Love’. Most songs begin with a substantial mood-setting instrumental and ‘Mawlay’ (My Lord), the standout track, is a thrilling ride of rhythmic intensity.