4/7/2025
I was always skeptical about traditional Indian music. I never even tried to delve into ragas and such, but today i found myself listening to this record which was sitting on my spiritual jazz chart. I'm.. Fascinated, to say the least. Executed by the Pakistani quartet Jaubi, composed by Latarnik and gently accompanied by Tenderlonious and his flute, "Nafs at Peace" demonstrates to be a peculiar and unique gem. The instruments are mainly Hindustani and they find each other collaborating in the realization of spiritual greatness that spans from track to track, yet leaving a little space to shine for every instrument. The ruthless sound of the Sarangi blends itself with a choir of solemn voices in the first track, "Seek Refuge", which serves as a meditative and environmental initiation to the path of redemption to reach peace. Immediately after the first track we can immediately sense change with the insertion of the first percussion instruments in "Insia", especially the Tabla, which serves as the main rhythmic base and which is wonderfully executed by the skillful Kashif Ali Dhani. From now on the record turns into something more fusioney and boppy, creating a sense of surprise and will of discovery in the listener. This peculiar instrumentation reminded me a lot Don Cherry, one of the absolute masters of spiritual jazz, which took a lot of influence from Indian and African music whilst composing his beautiful trumpet tunes. We seem to go back to traditional indian music with the "Raga Gujri Todi", which starts off as a simple raga, but that completely changes around the second minute, when it completely switches to an intense and funky track. Despite the intensity of instruments like the previously mentioned Sarangi, the album has also some really great chillout tracks, like "Straight Path", which features some really great percussion moments. The album surprised me the most with the song "Zari", which in my opinion is the best one. The song features some really interesting R&B chillout elements that reminded me of Grover Washington Jr's magnum opus: Winelight. The track also has some really impressive sax moments, John Coltrane's influence is blatant and undeniable. In the end, the record is all about finding yourself throughout the concept of "Nafs", which means "Self" in Arabic culture. To reach the final state of nafs, you need to seek redemption in it, even though starting with an evil one.
Favorite tracks
Nafs at Peace
5/28/2021
