Vahagni
Imagined Frequencies (Vahagni Music, 2015)
Imagined Frequencies is an extraordinary album by Los Angeles-based Armenian guitarist Vahagn Turgutyan, better known as Vahagni. The recording features an exciting mix of flamenco, Armenian music, classical music elements, sound design effects and jazz.
Vahagni plays flamenco Spanish-style. He fell in love with flamenco at a young age and studied classical music first. Later, he sought the source and moved to southern Spain. He learned from guitar maestro Paco Serrano in Seville.
While most of Imagined Frequencies includes outstanding guitar performances rooted in flamenco and Armenian music, Vahagni enjoyed adding some special studio effects and samples at times throughout the album including the voice of the great Spanish painter on the piece titled “Sketches of Dali.”
Vahagni has some high profile guests on the album such as Afro-Spanish vocalist Buika, percussion master Arto Tuncboyaciyan, flamenco cajón wizard Ramón Porrina, and pop singer Sebu (Capital Cities).
The lineup on Imagined Frequencies includes Vahagni on guitars, sound design, samples and palmas (handclap percussion); Ruben Harutunyan on duduk; Ramón Porrina on cajón; Artyom Manukyan on bass; Gavin Salmon on drums; Jimmy Branley on percussion; Kassandra Kocoshis on palmas and cajón; Buika on vocals; A.chilla on sound design and samples; Rob Amjrov on live sound processing; Artyom Manukyan on cello; Tigran Hamasyan on piano; Eeva on sampled vocals; Arto Tuncboyaciyan on percussion and vocals; Norayr Kartashyan on blul (Armenian flute); and Sebu on vocals.
Imagined Frequencies is an impressive release by a highly creative skilled guitarist who bridges the European continent, connecting southern Spain’s passionate flamenco with the mesmerizing Eurasian sounds of Armenia.
Digital download version: Imagined Frequencies. There is also a CD version available.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
