Album Notes

Many will recognize Armen Chakmakian's keyboard style as a signature of his former group Shadowfax. But on "Ceremonies," his solo debut, Chakmakian has moved beyond the jazzy and sometimes eerie style of the group to produce the best of many world music styles. "Gypsy Rain" has the distinctive rhythms and melodies of Armenian music, layered with non-traditional string sounds and driven by Chakmakian's piano. And the plaintive voice of the synthesizers on the title track is hauntingly human. The artist calls his music New World Jazz, and though it may not be as spontaneous as jazz, the music does draw from many cultures. Hints of Quali melodies and Arabic rhythms appear as do snippets of raga and motifs not unlike the classics of Western music. Chakmakian's music is supported by beats created on many exotic percussion instruments. In making the music, he rediscovered his ethnic roots and experienced catharsis, which is the point of all ritual and ceremony. Ceremonies is