V.A. - The Rough Guide to the Music of Afghanistan (2010) 2xCD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Afghanistan has barely been out of the news for years, it seems, and during the rule of the Taliban, from 1996-2001, music was banned. Since then it has vigorously returned, and this welcome addition to the Rough Guide series gives a strong indication of the variety of sounds available there, including some that predate many of the troubles. There are several examples of the national instrument, the plucked rubab, and more from the short-necked lute called the dambura. They're all vastly different and quite lovely, giving a sense of true variety. Equally informative are the female singers, like Naghma and Mahwash, a Sufi singer who's highly regarded in the country. Lest anyone believe that Afghanistan is mired in the past, there are several blasts from the present to liven things up, such as Setara Hussainzada, who won the Afghan version of American Idol. There's also another winner in Rafa Naabzada, whose offering is very generic. But the king of all is Farhad Darya, who's given two tracks, one straight rock recorde+d with German music (and sung partly in English), while the other is more rooted, but still definitely modern. Afghanistan still has many problems, but it's a place that's flourishing again musically -- and long may that last. by Chris Nickson  
Tracklist 1 :
1 Setara Hussainzada - Zim Zim Zim 1:36
2 Mahwash - Gar Konad Saheb-E-Man 5:21
3 Ghulam Hussain - Ba Ayadat Beya 5:19
4 Ahmad Zahir - Leili-Jan 3:26
5 Naghma - Meena Dakhklo Sanga Kaygi 5:05
6 Farhad Darya - Salaamalek 4:48
7 Safdar Tawakuli - Dobaiti Hazaragi 2:44
8 Mashinai - Logari Tunes 4:07
9 Ustad Rahim Khushnawaz, Gada Mohammad & Azim Hassanpur - Jâm-e Nârenji 3:52
10 Mahwash - Mola Mamad Djan 4:29
11 Homayun Sakhi - Kataghani 3:56
12 Mehri Maftun - Dar Khyal-e Ishq-e Khuban 3:39
13 Farhad Darya - Salaam Afghanistan 4:24
14 Rafi Naabzada & Hameed Sakhizada - Sabza Ba Naaz Mea Ayad 3:15
15 Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawwali Group - Rae Maykhana O Masjid 6:38
Tracklist 2 :
Bonus CD: Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawwali Group
1 Rae Maykhana O Masjid (The Way To The Mosque And The Winehouse) 8:00
2 Zikre Tu Chee Shireen Ast (Your Prayer Is So Sweet!) 6:40
3 Mar DarDo Jahan (I'm In Two Worlds) 5:39
4 Sare Buredae Ma Ra (My Decapitated Head) 7:36
5 Choon Nai Ba Nawa Amad (Since The Reed Began To Sing) 5:03
6 Beshnaw Az Nai Choon Hekayat Mekonad (Listen To This Reed Forlorn) 5:05
7 Ay Sholae Hazeen (Oh Desolate Flame!)    6:18
8 Dunya Kisa Ke Pyar Main (The Earth Is The Place Of My Love) 5:08