Album Notes

SECOND PRINTING: IMPORTED FROM NEW ZEALAND

Music from the Crossroads of the World.

The word "Hamsa" means, simply, five. It is believed to be the hand of some great holy lady of miraculous power such as Fatmeh, daughter of The Prophet Miriam, or the sister of Moses. But to whomever the hand belongs, it has one purpose: it keeps away the Evil Eye, reflecting back the envious green-eyed glances of the stranger. Ironically, as protection against the outsider, it has become a signpost to the great crossroads, a symbol of that place where East and West touch.

Five of the pieces of music on HAMSA take their names from the Kabbalistic tradition. Each is located in the centre column of the Sefirot, the Tree of Life. In order of appearance, they descend from the highest branch to the roots and from there, to a transcendence. The other pieces of music speak to the meeting of East and West, Life and Death, Past and Future.

Carvin Knowles recorded HAMSA in Hollywood, California between 2001 and 2004, near the old landmark "The Crossroads of the World." The album weaves together influences from Los Angeles' varied Middle Eastern communities. It contains elements of Armenian, Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Persian, Sephardic and Klezmer music, with a smattering of modern beats. If you like to dance, you'll love HAMSA.

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Composer Carvin Knowles' most famous piece of music plays during the "pie scene" in Universal's "American Pie." His work may be heard in John Waters' "Cecil B. Demented" and Steve Martin's "Novocaine" among others. Since 1989 he has been involved in the world-music scene in L.A., combining the styles of East and West into his own unique mix. Carvin Knowles currently lives in Auckland New Zealand.