Gulab Afridi & Murad Afridi perform Raag Yaman, from their new album The Colours Of Rubab.
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Audio Recording: Sharoon Bhatti
Video Recording: Imran
Mixed by Qais Essar
Masted by Eric Zang
Hailing from Peshawar, Gulab Afridi is one of the most celebrated folk and classical rubab artists of Pakistan. His style is rooted in the traditional music of the Pashtun regions of Pakistan, which is evident in his sparkling ornamentation, and the sound of the instrument itself, which is smaller than Afghan made instruments.
But we can also detect the influence of Afghan classical music, particularly in Raag Yaman (I), where we can’t help but be reminded of the virtuosic, ground-breaking playing of Homayoun Sakhi, whose influence can be found both in Afghan and Pakistani players, thanks to his time in both Kabul and Peshawar. The result is a fusion of styles and influences woven from across the region which, all combined, constitute Afridi’s unique approach to the rubab.
We hope music lovers from across the world will enjoy this deeply touching, peaceful album from one of Pakistan’s most accomplished rubab players.