Najma
Country of origin:
India (sound), though Najma was born and raised in England
Type of music generally:
Ethnic Indian/world pop. (Neile)
Status:
Most recent album, Rishte (2009)
See also:
Najma's site
Comparisons:
Indian pop music
Covers/own material:
Own; sometimes writes with others
General comments:
Najma has a lovely voice which matches Indian music well. The overall sound is traditional Indian/Indian pop, but lovers of world pop music (and of course anyone who loves great voices) will enjoy her music too. (Neile)
Comments about live performance:
Her set was a lot of fun. I'd never heard any of her music before, but found it immediately catchy. Since the set was largely Indian film music, songs that were supposedly standards on the order of "Summertime" and Gershwin tunes, it shouldn't be surprising that they were really catchy. It was fun watching all the people in the audience who could sing along to many of the songs.
She didn't have the crystaline voice or experimental nature of Sheila Chandra, but performed what seemed like great Indian summertime bubblegum pop. (7/99, neal)
Recommended first album:
Qareeb. (Neile)
Recordings include:
- Ghazals by Najma (1988)
- Qareeb (1989)
- Atish (1990)
- Forbidden Kiss: The Music of S.D. Burman (1996)
- Pukar (Calling You) (1998)
- Vivid (2003)
- Fariyaad: A plea to the creator (2008)
- Rishte (2009)
Ghazals by Najma
Release info:
1988—Nivako, Nivako House, 16 Station Road, London, W7 3JE, U.K.—N LL CD 001
Availability:
U.K., and can be found in the U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended if you like other Najma recordings or are interested in Indian music. (Neile)
Group members:
Najma
Guest artists:
Ravi
Comments:
Music on this is composed by Ravi, Najma sings (and wrote) the ghazals (an eastern poetic form). Traditional-sounding instrumentation and singing. Lovely. (Neile)
Qareeb
Release info:
1989—Shanachie Records—SH 64009
Availability:
U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended if you're at all interested in ethnic music. (Neile)
Group members:
Najma Akhtar—vocals, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Naushad Sheikh—tabla, cholak, madhal, percussion
Navazish Ali Khan—violin
Ray Carless—soprano & tenor saxophone
Kiran Pal Singh—santoor
Lazar Der Gregorian—fretless bass
Ian Terry—keyboards
Produced by:
Ian Scott, Bunt Stafford Clark
Comments:
This is a wonderful album: good music, and Najma's voice is in great form. If you like Indian music at all you will love this. (Neile)
Forbidden Kiss: The Music of S.D. Burman
Release info:
1996—Shanachie Records—64063
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for fans of Indian pop music
Group members:
Najma Akhtar—vocals, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Chris Rael—voice, guitars, sitar, lapsteel, dulcimer, mandolin, E-bow, keyboard, bass
Steve Gorn—flutes
Bob Muller—tabla, darbuka
Jonathan Feinberg—hand percussion, drums, keyboards, backing voice
Joe Quigley—bass
Mark Feldman—violins
Gregor Kitzis—violin, viola
Sarah Hewitt—cello
Aaron Heick—tenor sax, clarinet, oboe, flute
Steven Bernstein—trumpet
Dan Levine—trombone
Ed Pastorini—keyboard
Brian Woodbury—keyboard, backing voice
Produced by:
Chris Rael and Najma Akhtar
Comments:
S.D. Burman wrote songs for Indian films from the 1950s to the 1970s. These are American pop interpretations of the songs though they still sound very Indian. Great fun! (Neile)
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