AZADI by Tamar Ilana & Ventanas
Azadi means “Freedom” in Urdu and Farsi. This album reflects on the diverse freedoms humanity experiences or longs for—the freedom to sing, dance, express our many identities and be accepted for them. The freedom to be ourselves, speak our languages, compose, perform, work, and collaborate—or choose not to. To celebrate or refrain, engage in public or political life, fall in or out of love, marry or not, have children or not, and live on the land, especially our ancestral lands. It is about accepting each other. Together, we navigate this life and this world, and together, we must help one another be free.
This is Ventanas' fourth album. It features traditional Flamenco, Sephardic, and Balkan songs, alongside original compositions by Ventanas' members, three of which debuted with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra in 2022. The album includes songs in Spanish, Ladino, French, English, Urdu, Hebrew, Greek, Portuguese, and Bulgarian. It is produced by Tyler Emond, mastered by Justin Gray, and distributed globally by LulaWorld Records.
Tracklist
| 1. | Ventanas Altas | 4:15 |
| 2. | Más Que a Mi Vida (Colombianas) | 7:59 |
| 3. | Aurea | 4:52 |
| 4. | Dance With the Sun | 2:21 |
| 5. | Ke na m'agapas! | 4:12 |
| 6. | Noches Noches | 3:49 |
| 7. | Azadi | 5:15 |
| 8. | En Esta Vida o la Otra (Alegrías) | 7:50 |
| 9. | Pile Peje | 1:08 |
| 10. | Eivissa | 4:08 |
| 11. | Ecos do Norte | 3:09 |
| 12. | The Boat Was Empty | 5:45 |
Credits
VENTANAS
Tamar Ilana | Vocals, Footwork, Palmas
Demetrios Petsalakis | Oud, 12-String Guitar, Baglama, Bouzouki, Riqq, Vocals, Palmas
Benjamin Barrile | Flamenco Guitar, Palmas
Jessica Hana Deutsch | Violin, Viola, Vocals, Palmas
Tyler Emond | Double-Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Derek Gray | Cajón, Darbuka, Frame Drum, Shaker, Cymbals
SPECIAL GUESTS
Rosendo ‘Chendy’ León | Cajon, Congas, Clave, Shaker, Cowbell, Djembe, Daf, Cymbals, Bell Tree, Timbales, Bongos, Tamborim, Frame Drum, Palmas, Vocals
Naiko A. Mahabir-Leon | Vocals
Naghmeh Farahmand | Daf, Darbuka
Aline Morales | Alfaia, Pandeiro, Shaker, Snare Drum, Bells, Vocals
Marito Marques | Cajón, Snare, Cymbals, Cowbell
Selçuk Suna | Clarinet
Alexis Baro | Trumpet
Dr. Judith Cohen | Sopranino Recorder
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Tyler Emond
Assistant Producer Tamar Ilana
Engineering by Tyler Emond, Ghost Town Sound
Edited and Mixed by Tyler Emond, Ghost Town Sound
Mastered by Justin Gray, Immersive Mastering
Additional Engineering
Palmas by Demetrios Petsalakis at Zappacat Studios
Footwork by Samantha Selci at Lost Tonic
Cover Photography by Emrah Mihyaz at OBJX Studios, Toronto
Inside Photography by Zahra Saleki an Ali Wasti
Makeup by Aleksewik Oksana
Artwork and Design by Ali Wasti and Oleg Leikin
Project Consultant Dan Rosenberg
Label Lulaworld Records
License
All rights reserved.
Tamar Ilana & Ventanas is aToronto-based world music ensemble fronted by powerhouse vocalist and dancer Tamar Ilana and featuring the city’s finest world musicians. Together, they reimagine Mediterranean melodies and flamenco grooves, and mix contemporary interpretations of ancient ballads with original compositions."I'm a huge admirer," says Leslie Feist.