Release date: September 6, 2024
Ali Riaz Baqar, a 35-year-old Pakistani-Australian guitarist and composer, has dedicated himself to mastering the ancient Indian classical form of the raga. Initially captivated by the intricate acoustic guitar arrangements of jazz pioneer Joe Pass, Baqar independently released several solo guitar improvisations. In 2013, he founded the fusion quartet Jaubi, blending his diverse musical influences into a distinctive sound. Since then, Baqar has skillfully merged the spiritual tradition of raga with improvisation, creating a unique fusion of these two art forms.
Baqar grew up in a religious household, where he was exposed to Sufi qawwals from an early age. He began his musical career within the Western jazz tradition, producing solo acoustic guitar pieces that seamlessly combined alternate tunings, nimble fingerpicking, and improvisation.
Jaubi has crafted a distinctive sound at the crossroads of Indian classical music and jazz, drawing inspiration from the legacies of greats such as John Coltrane, Don Cherry, and Yusef Lateef, all of whom were influenced by South Asian music. United by a shared love of raga, Baqar and Khan began improvising together, blending a variety of styles, including North Indian classical music, jazz, and hip-hop. They later enlisted tabla player Kashif Ali Dhani and percussionist Qammar Vicky Abbas, and the quartet went on to record ten compositions that would become their debut album.
The album’s title references a verse from the Qur’an that encourages individuals to approach God with a sound heart, or “qalb” in Arabic. Baqar describes the ten compositions on the record as a journey of pure intention, emphasizing the importance of connecting with a higher power rather than seeking to be flashy.
The result is nothing short of virtuosic. The album opens with the vibrant big band swing of “Lahori Blues,” featuring a searing soprano saxophone solo by Cawthorne. A Sound Heart encompasses a wide range of styles, from intricately arranged tributes to jazz legends—such as “Misunderstood (Blues for Mingus)”—to energetic jazz-funk fusions like “Wings of Submission,” poignant sarangi ballads like “Forgive Me,” and reflective, piano-led pieces like “Reflections of God.”
This album, featuring Baqar’s father on the cover and dedicated to his parents, represents a significant step forward for the group. It highlights the warmth and immediacy of their signature raga-jazz sound, showcasing their evolution as artists.
