Customer Reviews

Qareeb

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Najma is an Apsara, a divine musician from beyond this world. As her pure and melodious voice soars upwards to the heavens, you too will be swept away in her embrace. In the same way that there is only one Enya, Najma is a completely singular artist. But that is not to compare their sound. These are traditional ghazals, songs of love and longing, sung in an Indian tongue. But the heart hears and understands all. I listen to a wide variety of music: jazz, traditional and contemporary Indian, Indonesian gamelan, African kora & drum music. But "Quareeb" is one of my absolute favorite CDs. If I could only own 5 CDs, this would be one of them. (The others? probably Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" live in Copenhagen, Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Shaka Zulu," Liz Story's "Solid Colors" and John McLaughlin's "My Goal's Beyond"--but that would leave out Hamza el Din's oud playing...). Her voice renders audible the slowly burning desire to become lost in union with the Beloved. Listening, you will be transported into an eternal realm beyond the senses, yet deeply rooted in the voluptuous traditions of sublimated Indian sensuality. Listen, and be transformed.

I tend to like moody, passionate vocal music -for instance I love Joni Mitchells Blue, John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman, Robbie Robertson and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Najma has a beautiful voice that she really knows how to use. Her voice is supported by the tabla drum which weaves and melts in and out of the melody. Najma's Qareeb has ended up being the most played of all my music in the last 5 years. It is very peaceful and stirring at the same time. I love it and recommend it.

I heard this album for the first time in 2007 on radio and instantly fell in love with it. Have ever since bought it and played it countless number of times. It is one of those albums you dont get tired of listening to.

Najma's vocal are fabulous. She has a very soothing and to some extent a rustic voice which I find very appealing. Qareeb has an interesting collection of songs with varying pace, but mostly towards a slower side. The music has a western jazz influence to a predominantly south east asian rhythm. The lyrics generally talk about love and lost love.

My fav tracks in the album are 'Apne Haathon' and 'Zikar Hai Apna'. I like this version of 'Apne Haathon' more than any of the other versions (most notably the Jagjit Singh version). 'Zikar' is essentially a qawwali kind of song but a very noticeable western touch towards the end of the song.

All in all a neat album.

My brother's roommate in Xian had this record, so my brother sent it to me in the US. It's great. Definitely in the Indian tradition, but with fascinating rhythms. Very accessible for a westerner like myself.

My own Asian Celine Dion. Purest vocals this side of the Atlantic.