Album Notes

This is the first CD from the Eastern fusion group JAFFNA. The 1996 version of the group features Roger Mgrdichian (oud, sarod), Raji Malik (guitar), Branavan Ganesan (tabla, kanjira, cajon), and Joe Tayoun (dumbek, riq) with David Edelman on violin. This recording is from the early years of the group, centered around the legendary Middle East Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA. Roger and Joe were the in-house musicians who often played host to a variety of world music fans and instrumentalists who came in to jam over the years. A love for Indian music made the collaboration with Branavan and Raji a perfect fit, while David Edelman added a completely unique sound with his electric violin. Dave, who has an amazing ear, quickly found himself at home with the mid-eastern music Roger and Joe played, and was able to add his own style to the Jaffna pieces he contributed to, having a strong background of jazz and bluegrass music.

All of the elements that would come to define the group's sound are present in this recording, among them eastern modalities, unique time signatures, shifts in dynamics and explosive percussion.

The group's newer recording, Mandala, has been available on CD Baby for some time now. Acousic Allies is being offered due to growing demand (and at a discount!) in appreciation of all the fans who've supported Jaffna over the years.