About Cross Current
Cross Current is a studio album released in 2001 by Ross Daly, Djamchid Chemirâni, and Irshad Khan. The album features collaborative performances blending elements of Greek, Persian, Turkish, and Indian classical music traditions. PAN Records issued the release in CD format.
Ross Daly, an Irish-born musician and composer, contributes lyra, laouto, and saz performances. Djamchid Chemirâni, an Iranian percussionist, plays the zarb (tonbak). Irshad Khan, an Indian classical musician, performs on the surbahar and sitar. The album integrates these instruments to explore cross-cultural improvisation and composition.
The tracklist includes eight pieces. "Kurdilihicazkar saz semaisi" showcases a Turkish classical form with saz accompaniment. "Syrtos Dance of Western Crete" presents a traditional Greek dance rhythm. "Zarif" and "Akyel" feature modal improvisations with Persian and Turkish influences. "Iptidadan yol sorarsan" is a Turkish folk song arranged for the ensemble. "Dance Tunes From the Black Sea" combines regional melodies from the Black Sea area. "Ro ro keda / Naoum jaffani" merges an Egyptian folk song with a Levantine melody. "Folksong From Azerbaijan" adapts an Azerbaijani traditional piece.
The album emphasizes improvisational interplay among the musicians. Each track maintains distinct regional characteristics while allowing space for individual expression. The release does not include liner notes or additional contextual documentation beyond the track titles and artist credits.