About Aphrodite – “Songs Without Words”
About Aphrodite did something special with Songs Without Words. The duo, Gilda Razani and Hanzō Wanning, put together an incredible album that mixes different musical traditions without any boundaries. You can hear Persian folk melodies blending right into European jazz harmony and electronic textures.
The instruments they chose are a massive part of why this works. Gilda plays the soprano saxophone and the theremin, which is an incredibly rare combination. Hanzō matches that by holding down the harmony on the piano. On a few of the pieces, guest percussionist Fethi Ak joins in on the darbuka, adding a Turkish and Kurdish rhythmic pulse that locks everything into place.
Every single track has a specific story behind it. The first song, Sartschubeh, gets its name from the Iranian word for turmeric, which people place on newborn babies for good luck. Loretta’s Sinfonia builds beautifully, starting out slow before shifting into a traditional Iranian dance rhythm, and another standout is Newrusi Cats, a track named after the small worms that emerge during the Persian New Year on March 20. It captures the massive energy of a holiday where people jump over fire and exchange gifts.
The later tracks keep that momentum going. Taraneh honors the short, courageous life of a woman from Iran, while Heroine of the Night brings a quiet, late-night atmosphere. The whole experience wraps up with Reverie, a track that lets your thoughts drift completely free.
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