WELCOME TO ATTAR MEDIA
We live in a world in which the marketplace, money, status, power, and opinions shout at us so loudly, yet ultmately offer so little. In this world we need quiet, heart-felt, considered, subtle, and stimulating work that talks to our highest hopes and deepest selves.
Attar Media brings you music, literature and films by artists who explore and express their sense of what is is to be spiritually alive in the twenty-first century. Drawing on a diverse range of traditions, embracing Western and Eastern philosophies, exploring ancient and contemporary worldviews, Attar's artists nurture our heart and soul, stimulate thought about our religious and spiritual outlook, and dramatize the deepest aspects of the human condition.
This is work you have slow down for, before you can catch up with it.
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LATEST RELEASE
ECSTASY was composed by Jonathan Besser to celebrate the 800th birthday of the Sufi master and mystical poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi. Written in an inspired eight-day rush, the music draws on the rhythms of ancient Persian Sufi poetry and reflects the intoxicated spinning of the whirling Dervishes as they enter otherworldly states.
Exploring Rumi's love ethic, the album is a suite of nine pieces that celebrate the lover’s journey towards the Beloved, evoking the longing, joy, sorrow, struggle and ecstasy of anyone who seeks – and finds – love.
World music ensemble, Bravura, perform with their typical deep feeling, invention and verve. They combine Western and Eastern styles to produce a lyrical, melodic, passionately engaging album.
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"An album of spectacular beauty." Gary Steele (Metro, April 2008)
"With their minor-ish modes and Moorish melodies, “Doubt” and “Atonement” conjure up a dark and ancient East. But there are sunny, playful moods as well, such as the delicious “Promise”, in which Besser drapes a beautiful folk tune across the type of rolling irregular rhythm that his group plays as naturally as breathing." — Nick Bollinger (NZ Listener, 15 Dec 2007)
"Brilliant, restful, enchanting, moody, raucous, sweet and romantic. It's like Rumi and Hafiz got together for a stroll and ended up in a cafe where they started with figs and ended with plum brandy." — Tom Ives (USA-NZ)
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To stay in touch with our forthcoming releases, and to receive news regarding Attar artists as well as free materials on aspects of contemporary spirituality, e-mail us: info@attarmedia.com
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RECENT RELEASES
THE GARDEN is classical guitar with a difference. While drawing on classical, jazz, folk, Spanish, Renaissance and Middle Eastern musical styles, Ross has filtered them through a unique sensibility to produce uncluttered compositions that are musically sophisticated, yet remain atmospheric, emotionally direct, and very engaging. This is the gentlest, most captivating music music you will hear this year.
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"Ross Hill’s music originates from a place of peace, an enclosed garden. True music communicates a unique, magical experience through its universal language. By entering this quiet space the listener will fully appreciate the nuances of The Garden." — S.G. Steff (NZ)
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Peter Haeder's EMERALD consists of melodic layered guitars transport the listener into a place of mystery and myth. A long-time Buddhist and meditator, Peter is a multi-instrumentalist whose music lyrically and emotionally evokes his spiritual aspirations. Performed with mastery and passion, this album lifts classical, flamenco and jazz guitar into a higher realm.
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"On Emerald [Haeder] pulls up a rack of mostly acoustic guitars and sits down for some fire-side melodies which are as enchanting as they are interesting. He never abandons the listener to become indulgent, and keeps the focus on developing his gentle tunes and teasing out their harmonies. Think Julian Bream rather than massage music -- although these tunes are certainly also restful." - Graham Reid, Elsewhere (NZ)
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Keith Hill's debut collection consists of original mystical poetry. Drawing on the Psalms, the Book of Isaiah, and the Song of Songs, Keith has created a sequence of 40 poems that tell the story of an exile in Babylon who escapes into the wilderness, overcomes many obstacles, and finally reaches his home in Jerusalem.
Reflecting his spiritual quest, psalms of longing, lament, gratitude and celebration mark his journey. These are coupled with a series of profound love poems for his beloved, with whom he is re-united while travelling through the wilderness. An illuminating afterword relates the poems to the mystical traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
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"Beautifully produced book of writing inspired by the original Hebrew poetry of the Psalms and Song of Songs. Hill's first collection of poems follows the trials of an exile who eventually triumphs. Intriguing work, uplifting and worth reading. Hill's poetry refreshes the meaning of ancient works while relating age-old struggles to the present day. Much here to consider and enjoy." - Raewyn Alexander, Magazine (NZ)
"In a time which seems spiritually dry for so many people this book of psalms is water in the desert. They challenge, terrify, comfort and call us to a deep humanity." Alan Jones, Grace Cathedral (USA)