Damir Imamović – The World and All That It Holds (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2023)
Damir Imamović, an acclaimed Bosnian artist renowned for his previous album ‘Singer of Tales,’ released his highly anticipated new recording titled ‘The World and All That It Holds‘ on May 19, 2023. The eminent Smithsonian Folkways Recordings label proudly presents this impressive album, expertly produced by Joe Boyd (known for his work with Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, and Pink Floyd) and Andrea Goertler. With the assistance of multi-GRAMMY winning sound engineer Jerry Boys, the album was meticulously recorded in Sarajevo during May 2022.
The Harmonious Fusion of Literature and Melody
Damir Imamović’s ‘The World and All That It Holds’ is an enthralling creation born from an artistic collaboration with Bosnian American author Aleksandar Hemon. This harmonious union follows the release of Hemon’s epic novel of the same name, a literary triumph that premiered on February 2, 2023, under Picador’s publishing banner. The novel, replete with linguistic beauty and lyrical depth, now finds an equally captivating sonic counterpart in the form of Damir Imamović’s resonant and tangible soundtrack. Music and literature intertwine, coalescing into a new and celebrated masterful work.
Transcending Cultural Boundaries: A Musical Tapestry
‘The World and All That It Holds’ presents an exquisite array of original compositions and meticulously arranged traditional songs performed in both Bosnian and Ladino. The latter language, brought by the Sephardic Jews upon their exodus from Spain centuries ago, weaves an intricate thread throughout the album.
Imbued with heartfelt emotion, the music gives voice to the profound and intricate relationship between two men of disparate Sarajevan origins: the introspective pharmacist Rafael Pinto and his fellow soldier Osman, hailing from Sephardic Jewish and Muslim backgrounds, respectively. In the novel’s acknowledgments, Hemon eloquently conveys the significance of Damir’s contribution, stating, “Without Damir’s brilliance, Rafo and Osman’s journey would have unfolded differently, and his album…is an audacious masterpiece.”
A Poignant Voyage Amidst Turbulent Times
The novel takes its protagonists on a journey from the heart of the World War I outbreak, a narrative that resonates deeply with the plight of contemporary refugees. Brody, one of the cities they traverse, now resides in western Ukraine, bearing witness to the shifting tides of history.
Bereft of their beloved city and armed solely with their unwavering love and a collection of enduring ‘sevdalinka‘ (songs of sevdah) and Sephardic melodies passed down through generations, the two lovers embark on a perilous odyssey to escape the horrors of conflict.
These traditional songs, evocative of forbidden love, loss, and yearning for home, serve as the perfect conduit through which the pair communicate their profound love and aching homesickness. Reflecting on the sevdah genre, Damir poignantly remarks, “For those of us raised with it, sevdah possesses an infinite array of shades of sadness.” Aleksandar Hemon provides further insight into the emotional depth, declaring, “Sevdah is not merely melancholic music but a vehicle for transforming longing for the absent into a celebration of the present.”
Buy The World and All That It Holds
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.