Najma Akhtar Najma Akhtar London Based on subtle combinations of Delta blues, World Jazz, Western Folk Music, Irish / Celtic Folk Music, Rock, North African Blues and Sufi, Najma comfortably explores a few selected classic covers with an Indian Vocal twist. 'Five Rivers’ is a musical journey that starts in India with the Ganges, to Africa the River Niger, to the UK with the River Thames on to Ireland with the River Shannon and finally ending at the Mississippi Delta. Jac Holzman, who signed the band ‘Love’ in the sixties and former owner of Elektra Records, upon hearing Najma’s take on the song ‘Old Man’ wrote, ‘Najma, I so enjoyed what you did with Bryans song, one of the unsung gems on Forever Changes. Your take is original, understated and true to the spirit of the original. Most important -- it works!’ 'Five Rivers' includes imaginative interpretations of compositions by Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, Bryan Mclean & Donovan. Donovan has also expressed his delight at having his songs included in the 'Five Rivers' project. The breadth & depth of Najma's vision of universality is exemplified by her beautiful rendition of Yeat's,"The Song of Wandering Aengus,' (inspired by Donovan's arrangement) Donovan's 'Young Girl Blues’ & Jagger / Richard's ‘As Tears Go By'. Some Collaborations ‘Rishte’, with Grammy nominated guitarist, Gary Lucas. The Optimist with Stan Harrison. Dot Com with Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. Basement Jaxxs co-wrote Mere Paas with Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe the single, Good Luck. MTV Unplugged with Led Zeppelins Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for the album No Quarter. Toured with Page & Plant in the USA, Ireland / UK. Liquid Days with Philip Glass accompanied by the Crouch End Choir, conducted by David Temple. Take Me To God with Jah Wobble. The Golden Wire with Andy Summers of The Police. Black Science with Steve Coleman. Divas with Steve Copeland. Colonial Cousins with Hariharan and Leslie Lewis. In my Mind with the Armenian / Persian Singer Andy Madadain.
