Talafawa

f rhythm is motion, then Talafawa takes flight – a sensuous, rhythmic journey of discovery. Talafawa immediately takes us away from our noisy, relentless world into wide open spaces. You cannot listen to this music without feeling the walls around you disappear – transporting you to new worlds. Writer/producer & percussionist Julian Douglas & his exceptional collaborators weave texture, harmony, and rhythmic shapes from diverse influences into each piece, forming a compilation of New World Music. The discerning listener may hear striking South African vocal harmonies, haunting Middle-Eastern melody, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, but for the exception of one piece, Douglas borrows no folk songs from Africa, the Middle East, Cuba or elsewhere. This music is original, paying homage to – but not derivative of – world music traditions. Talafawa masterfully harnesses all of this, and is at once contemplative and a joyous celebration. Douglas’s voice is timeless, and, as rhythm carries us through it all, Talafawa beckons the listener to pause and listen!

 

 

Cover Art, photography, and Layout: David Gittens

Produced by Julian Douglas except Nanga Mai Produced by Kyle Quass and Julian Douglas

Recorded at Resonantmind Studios, Sarasota. Fl

Additional Recording of Nanga Mai at Farm Fresh Studios, Bloomington In.

Additional Recording of Subaha, Talafawa, Nanga Mai, Tiempo Azul at Quass Studios, Bloomington In

Copyright: 2010 Resonantmind (BMI)

1. Talafawa – featuring Stephanie Heidemann

Written and Arranged by Julian Douglas
Lead and choral vocals: Stephanie Heidemann
Additional Vocals: David Gittens, Charles Gibson, Michael Rutherford, Julian Douglas
Percussion, Programming: Julian Douglas

 

2. Ozlem – featuring Dena El Saffar

Written by Kyle Quass, Julian Douglas, Dena El Saffar
Arranged by Julian Douglas
Violin, Viola, Joza: Dena El Saffar
Oud: Tahja
Ney: Juan De La Sierra
Percussion, Programming: Julian Douglas
Programming: Kyle Quass

3. Nanga Mai – featuring Tom Walsh

Written and arranged by Kyle Quass and Julian Douglas
flute: Thomas Walsh
violin: Mallory Hamm
violin: Garrett Semmelink
viola: Kasia Bugaj
cello: Jaehee Ju
Berimbau – Micheal Rutherford
Percussion, programming: Julian Douglas

4. Akasha

Written and Arranged by Julian Douglas
Percussion, Programming: Julian Douglas

5. Tiempo Azul – featuring Cory Smythe

Written and Arranged by Julian Douglas and Kyle Quass
Piano: Cory Smythe
Percussion: Julian Douglas
Programming: Kyle Quass

6. Devotion – featuring Stephanie Heidemann

Lyrics/melody: Trad. O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti/Cantiga 189
Written and arranged by Julian Douglas
Additional vocal arrangment: Stephanie Heidemann, Julian Douglas
Vocals: Stephanie Heidemann
Additional Vocals: Michael Rutherford, Charles Giibson, Julian Douglas
Santur: Michael Rutherford
DwijVeena: David Gittens
Tampura: Linda Maree
Percussion, Programming: Julian Douglas

7. Subaha – featuring Dena El Saffar

Written by Julian Douglas and Dena El Saffar
Arranged by Julian Douglas
Viola: Dena El Saffar
Percussion: Julian Douglas
Programming: Julian Douglas

8. Talafawa – Reprise

Written by Julian Douglas
Arranged by Julian Douglas
Vocals: Stephanie Heidemann, Charles Gibson, Michael Rutherford, Julian Douglas
Percussion, Programming: Julian Douglas