Mah-Ze-Tar (Maz Karandish) is a true student and devotee of music. Allow me to share his impressive background before I touch on his newest piece of music, Liquid Lotus.
As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Maz has been studying music since a very young age with extensive periods of time learning various styles of within the context of their respective traditions. With approximately 12 instruments in his arsenal, Maz understands Raga, Maqam, Dastgah, Harmony, Jazz and Opera. He aims to fuse Indian, Persian and Eastern music styles with modern sounds. His most recent focus has been exploring the sitar within the Imdad-Khani tradition.
He currently plays Oud, Persian Tar, Turkish Saz and Ney with the Santa Barbara Middle Eastern Ensemble. When not performing with the ensemble, he spends his time focused on Mah-Ze-Tar which is the alias for his fusion project. This gives him the freedom to explore combinations of world instruments with synthesizers and electronically programmed beats. Incorporating vocal styles ranging from West African folk melodies to to Tahrir-based Persian classical singing as well as Indian syllable-based Dhrupad/Tarana, I can guarantee you that Mah-Ze-Tar is a truly unique listening experience; one you more than likely have not experienced before.
Liquid Lotus is not necessarily a set of songs in the traditional sense of an album but it is definitely a journey led by sound. Matching 9 songs to particular Indian Ragas, Maz sings in Hindi, Farsi and English while using the Dhrupad syllabic vocal style mentioned earlier to add more nuance and texture to the composition.
One moment you find yourself in a trance-like, ambient state of being before being awakened by intensifying, hypnotic rhythms that make your body want to get up and dance…whether you are prepared for it or not. The music video further brings the song to life through serene, meditative landscapes with a heavy focus on water and it’s liquid state of being.
Mah-Ze-Tar is one of the most intriguing, fascinating musicians I have come across in quite some time. Liquid Lotus is an adventure; one that hits you deep down and takes you to sonic places you weren’t aware existed.
Watch the video for Liquid Lotus below or subscribe on YouTube.
You can also listen on Spotify.
Connect with Mah-Ze-Tar on his website, FB or IG.
