Hedûr: Solace of Time

If you have seen Aynur in Crossing the Bridge, the successful 2005 documentary by Fatih Akin about music in Istanbul, it's unlikely that you have forgotten her voice, and if you haven't seen it, you should. The Kurdish singer has developed her career since then and this is her seventh album. Things do not begin auspiciously however, with the syrupy piano and strings arrangement of the first track, but get more lively with the title-track featuring the singer herself on tanbur, and even better with the traditional dance ‘Govend E’, with brilliant percussion in the spotlight.

The high points of the album are the ghazal ‘Halil Kurban’ and the interpretation of the classic Sivas folk song ‘Ezim Ezim Eziliyor’ by aşik Zarali Halil, illuminated by Erkan Oğur, whose instrumental countermelodies on kopuz (fretless lute) and guitar provide depth. The considerable interpretive talent of Aynur and her powerful and expressive voice seem presented at best when not constricted by orchestral settings, and this mixed offering seems uncertain in its direction, resulting finally successful only in parts. I'd recommend instead Keçe Kurdan, her 2005 album on Kalan, featuring resolutely contemporary versions of Kurdish folk songs.