 Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the creation of new nations in regions rich in history and the increasing openness toward the West, new bands are appearing in the market here and presenting their lively music with a mixture of folklore hundreds of years old and modern pop sound. The group Avesto comes from the distant Tajikistan and plays ethno-pop at its very finest. Asian melodies mixed with pop arrangements, played on a great variety of very different instruments from electric guitars and keyboards to traditional doira and tablak: stated succinctly, Drum & Bass Meets Asia. Avesto is a term from an ancient religion in the area of today’s Tajikistan and the neighboring countries, which first appeared 2,700 years ago – the "Holy Book of Avesto", which made sons into gods. The band has won numerous prizes in Tajikistan as well as in neighboring countries such as Kirghizia since its founding in 1997. The Culture Ministry in Tajikistan honored Avesto three "Grammys": as the best band, for the best arrangements and as the best musicians of 1998. The greatest share in their success certainly belongs to the enchanting singer Takhmina Ramazanova, who masters the daring balancing act between folklore and pop excellently, and Jasur Khalilov, who is responsible for the arrangements in addition to keyboard instruments. Each of the six musicians has solid training in music. During their studies, they not only dealt intensively with the folklore of their country, but also with music of big names from the “West” such as Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Sting, Deep Purple, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others. Avesto provides simply sensational music on their third album. The opener “Falak” already makes the region, which the band comes from, very clear. Asian-Arabic melodies and voice lines combine with rock-pop elements as in a fairy tale from 1001 Nights. “Hudowando” is arranged completely in a style of the West. A certain influence of Sade is obvious, although the use of traditional instruments gives the piece its own flair. While this title song is more ballad-like, Avesto picks up the tempo with “Shohi Nuriyon”: a hot dance between bazaar and disco with lots of joyful expressive power. “Sarvinoz”, “Tojikiston” and above all the funk-heavy “Omadi” are additional pure fast-paced numbers, which would fit well on every dance floor here. The ballads “Yodam Kun”, “Kujoi” and “Kabki Dari” have a completely different flair, but are just as beautiful and inspired and seduce you to enter into a dreamy fairyland. And – of course – the three declarations of love by Avesto to their native land, the dreamy folk songs “Savsan”, “Ai Oshikam” and “Dilbar”. Avesto is an insider’s tip of the ethno-pop scene.
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