"Shamans" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. In general, the CD is made up of my
compositions, my piano and vocals, and sometimes a little drums, which I also perform.
The main piece, of course, is called "Shamans". It's a capella - just vocals, no instruments
except a little support from percussion. "Endless Power" is about the spiritual power of my
father. "Strange Mood" is also dedicated to my father. "Holiday Blessings" tries to express
that life is a great gift from God.
One of the improvisations on the CD is based on one of my favorite mazurkas by Chopin. I also sing a piece by Bach in a kind of scat style, which is my way of singing. I love Bach; so did my father. He used to say that Bach was a super jazzman.
Why did I name the CD "Shamans"? Shamans are very special human beings, but not just because
they can heal you physically. There's a spiritual dimension to their work and for me, the
spiritual part of life is the most important.
I am somehow related to these types of healers on both sides of my family: my great-grandmother
on my mother's side, Maryam, and on my father's side, my uncle Agha Mir Movsum, was revered
as a holy man [his shrine is in Shuvalan]. His great-grandfather was the legendary figure At
Agha [literally translated as "Mr. Meat or Flesh" because his decalcified bones left him
unable to walk]. At Agha was a legendary seer whose shrine is in Buzovna, a seacoast town
on the Azerbaijan Peninsula.
Maryam was educated as a medical doctor but she did much more for people than provide physical
treatment. She knew many secrets of healing and how to fathom the nature of many illnesses.
And so on this CD entitled "Shamans" I want to remind people that they should never forget
about their spiritual side. If we are aware of what we are doing, then we won't feel ashamed
later on about what we have accomplished. We should never lose our sense of purpose, our
dedication in life.