Looking at Earth from Space, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe all come together in the Mediterranean, literally meaning "the Middle Earth." The immense liquid entity of the Mediterranean Sea has blended these different cultures for millennia, and Turkey, situated at the Eastern Mediterranean, has long been a geographical and cultural crossroads.
So it is fitting that on Alif such a world class musician as Omar Faruk Tekbilek would serve as a transdimensional ship, traveling from port to port, history to future, style to style, sharing his immense gifts and reminding us that art is a glimpse of the Divine. For perhaps more than any other art, music supercedes social differences by showing the similarities in humanity. Musical notes don't represent nationality, but rather express emotionality.
Born of Turkish and Egyptian parents and currently residing in the U.S., Omar Faruk--a multi-instrumentalist par excellence--personally symbolizes the Mediterranean's diversity-in-unity. Still, he is a citizen of the world, and Alif is proof positive of the worldly nature of Omar Faruk's musical talents.
Alif is the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and it also signifies the first letter for Allah, the Maker, the Cause of All Existence, and the Divine Realization of Love. The seventh song and title track, "Alif," is a Sufi masterpiece of Devotional love, and love in all its forms - divine love, love of life and romantic love - is the theme running through all of Alif's twelve songs. Like adding fresh ingredients to an already delicious dish, a group of internationally acclaimed musicians add their unique spice to Omar Faruk's story of love: multi-instrumentalist /producer Steve Shehan, Greek singer Glykeria, Israeli singer Zahava Ben, Persian singer Mamak Khadem, Bulgarian singer Galina Durmushliyska, Turkish singer Suzy and Spanish guitarist Jose Antonio Rodriguez Munoz.
With its international talent, emphasis on contemporary realizations of traditional songs, accomplished singing, and focus on love, the album you have in your hands is yet another milestone in Omar Faruk's distinguished career. From the stunning simple beauty of the title track, to the syncopated sophistication of "Laundry Girl," Alif is bursting with inviting and rewarding music.
Enjoy this joyful listening journey, for on Alif Omar Faruk and friends embody the thoughts of the great Sufi seeker Rumi:
Welcome, melody--you are that melody which has brought a sign from the spiritual world. Pass the ear and strike upon our souls, for you are the life of this dead world.
(David Lynch, Austin Chronicle
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