Sevara Nazarkhan: Tortadur – review

When the Uzbek star Sevara Nazarkhan released her last album, Sen, four years ago, it sounded as if she was trying a little too hard to live up to her billing as a global diva from central Asia, by matching folk songs from the region against a swirl of beats and keyboard effects. I suggested that for her next album she should experiment by switching off the electronica and using only traditional instruments. Now she has done just that, with compelling results. Recorded in Uzbekistan, but mixed at Abbey Road, this is an album dominated by pained love ballads and Sufi devotional songs that date back to the 15th century, performed live by a group of leading traditional musicians, seated in a circle with the singer. The lineup includes the dutar and tanbour lutes, ney flute and qanun zither, and the delicate instrumental work is dominated by Sevara's thoughtful vocals. The songs range from the charming, hypnotic Aylagach to Qarghalar, a lament written by an anti-tsarist Russian being sent to Siberia, and performed solo with quietly threatening percussive backing that sounds like a clattering train. An intimate, gently emotional set.