SAMI YUSUF – Ecstasy: A Sonic Odyssey Toward Unity
The pioneer of global musical traditions returns with a masterful concept album—a true mapping of the soul in motion.
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SAMI YUSUF: THE MAESTRO OF CULTURAL BRIDGES
Hailed as a "megastar" by the BBC and "the most accomplished musician of our time" by MyLondon, British artist Sami Yusuf is a pivotal figure in the global musical landscape. With over 45 million albums sold and one billion downloads, he has revolutionized the dialogue between sacred traditions from Qawwali to Persian music, Sufism to Flamenco and contemporary innovation.
Born in Tehran to Azeri parents and raised in London, this exceptional multi-instrumentalist and composer built his body of work on a profound mastery of both Eastern and Western classical languages. Following a period of creative retreat dedicated to the study of philosophy and sacred music, his return to the stage with the When Paths Meet series marked the pinnacle of his artistry. From the Philharmonie de Paris to the Royal Albert Hall, Sami Yusuf does more than perform concerts: he creates immersive experiences where music becomes a universal language of beauty and depth.
A NEW ALBUM, “ECSTASY”: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE FOUR REALMS OF BEING
ECSTASY" is more than an album; it is a visionary sonic experience in nine movements, conceived as a seamless journey of inner transformation. Entirely acoustic, shaped by the human hand and voice, this project invites the listener to traverse four symbolic realms:
The Realm of Creation: The journey opens with Voices of the Earth, a primordial vibration where Native American chant, Azerbaijani mugham, and Mongolian throat singing intertwine. In Between Sea and Sky, the driving rhythm of percussion and Moroccan dhikr celebrates the visceral joy of the present moment.
The Realm of Love: Here, the heart becomes the guide. Lifting the Veil slows down time to the sound of the balaban and sitar, while Eterna sets the soul ablaze with fiery flamenco, capturing the flame of eternal longing. The Cup of Love, carried by Guo Gan’s erhu, invites a total surrender of the self.
The Realm of Knowledge: In In That Ocean, an epic orchestration featuring masters from Turkey, Iran, and Europe unveils inner clarity. Music here becomes pure intuition, transcending words to reach the very essence of being.
The Realm of Union: The odyssey culminates in the dissolution of dualities. The track Being, performed a cappella by the ensemble VOCES8, transforms the human voice into a field of sacred resonance. Finally, Amada seals the union with the Beloved, merging Argentine tango, the verses of St. John of the Cross, and the shared fervor of Sami Yusuf and flamenco singer Israel Moro.
"ECSTASY" is a "world-work"a fluid architecture where every note is a step closer to Unity. As the artist himself remarks: "This is not something to be understood; it is something to be experienced."
Featured Collaborations:
- A.R. Rahman (Vedic Chants)
- Homayoun Shajarian (Persian Lyricism)
- Alim Qasimov (Transcendent Vocals)
- Guo Gan (Erhu)
- VOCES8 (A Cappella Choir)
Download the single "Voices of the Earth" by clicking here!
Discover the preview of the project "Voices of the Earth":
