Rite of Strings – Dust and the Moon (Bright Shiny Things, 2026)
Dust and the Moon is the debut album by a remarkable act called Rite of Strings. The international ensemble includes Iranian-American composer and santoor (santur) master Ehsan Matoori, virtuoso bassist and composer Edward Perez, Australian drum luminary and composer Engin Kaan Günaydın, and brilliant violinist and composer Eylem Basaldi. In addition, celebrated clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski appears as a special guest.
The music on Dust and the Moon is dazzling and spectacular. The quartet interlaces elegant Persian traditions, Mediterranean influences, contemporary jazz, chamber music, accessible improvisation and a powerful rhythm section with inventive rock style drumming. The album contains original compositions by Ehsan Matoori, who delivers memorable santoor work, as well as material by Edward Perez, Eylem Basaldi, and French classical music composer Erik Satie. The result is a deeply collaborative recording that feels timeless, both ancient and contemporary, rooted in tradition while speaking with a distinctly modern voice.
Matoori’s composition, “Dust and the Moon” combines traditional roots with contemporary improvisation.
“Lunar Transit” takes its title from the shift between Earth’s and the moon’s gravitational influence. Perez translates that idea into musical contrasts and competing forces.
“Sorood-e Tanhaie” (“Song of Solitude”) treats solitude as a private space dominated by memory, longing, reflection, and unanswered questions.
“Qeshm” takes its name and inspiration from Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. Matoori imagines a bicycle journey through the island that ultimately shifts from physical travel toward freedom and departure. Lumanovski adds clarinet to the quartet.
“Gnossienne No. 1” offers the album’s sole composition by an outside composer. Perez chose Satie’s familiar work as an entry point into the quartet’s unusual instrumentation, with the melody shared among violin, santoor, and bass.
“Xur” honors Lebanese multi-instrumentalist Bassam Saba, whose planned collaboration with Matoori never took place after Saba died from COVID-19. The title refers to a tidal inlet or coastal creek. Lumanovski again appears on clarinet.
“Ağıt (Lament)” responds to the suffering of civilians affected by war, occupation, and unrest. Basaldi leaves the final harmony unresolved.
“Polaris” dates from Perez’s pandemic-era plans for a santoor, bass, and drums trio and his search for a new musical direction beyond jazz. The piece later required violin to become workable, which transformed the original trio concept into music for the full quartet.
“Ballad for Margot” is Perez’s tribute to his aunt Margot and to the losses that strengthened their relationship. Inspired by her life, musical taste, and the deaths of her son Joey and husband Joe.
The album was recorded on May 13 and 14, 2026, at Pinch Recording in Long Island City, New York, a studio renowned for its exceptional acoustics and world-class listening environment designed by Wes Lachot. It was engineered by E. Scott Lindner and mastered by Camilo Kratz at Soundworks Recording Studio LLC.
Album Launch Concert: Joe’s Pub, New York — September 30, 2026
https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2026/r/rite-of-strings-dust-and-the-moon/
Buy Dust and the Moon.
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.