Raga: Yaman (Aalap)

Yaman is a studio album centered on the North Indian classical raga Yaman, released on September 1, 2011, under the label Aimrec. The recording features a single extended track titled Raga: Yaman (Aalap), spanning 25 minutes and 7 seconds. The album adopts the CD format as its primary medium.

Sitarist Ustad Hidayat Khan performs the alap, the unmetered introductory section of the raga, establishing its melodic framework through gradual exploration. Tabla accompanist Enayet Hossain provides rhythmic support, though the track remains focused on the alap’s meditative and expansive development. The recording captures the instrumental interplay without additional embellishments or overdubs.

The album title directly references the raga Yaman, a foundational raga in the Hindustani tradition often performed during the evening. The release date aligns with Aimrec’s catalog of classical Indian music, though specific production details or additional session contributors remain undocumented. No alternate editions, digital reissues, or supplementary liner notes are confirmed in available sources.

The track Raga: Yaman (Aalap) serves as the sole composition on the album, emphasizing the raga’s slow, introspective unfolding. The duration reflects the alap’s role in classical performance, where melodic phrases are methodically introduced and elaborated. The absence of a jor or jhala section distinguishes this recording as a focused study of the alap form.

Critical reception, commercial performance, and live iterations of this recording are not recorded in public archives. The album’s distribution appears limited to physical CD sales, with no verified streaming or digital platform releases. Aimrec’s involvement suggests a specialization in traditional Indian classical music, though the label’s broader discography is not fully cataloged in this entry.