Ahmed, Ilyas – “Between Two Skies/Towards The Night ” – [Digitalis Industries]

In 2005 Ilyas Ahmed released these two CDs from a Minnesota farm where he was holed up. Read the liner notes for enlightenment. This is a re-release. Pakistani-born but U.S.-raised, Ahmed is portrayed as a loner, and these CDs are his postcards to the world. CD1, ???Between Two Skies,??? is a subdued, gentle collection of guitar strummings occasionally accented by piano, bells, and Ahmed???s unintelligible vocalizations (yes, they are eerie, but not overpowering). CD2 is more spare and intense than CD1 in that it features mainly guitar. It???s pretty guitar, but the overall mood of both CDs is contemplative and sad (although I???ve starred some more upbeat pieces). This is good for an injection of mellowness or as bed music. PGM: CD1, track 7 ends at :13. CD2, track 4 ends at :11. All other tracks end as early as :07.