Simin Tander - The Wind (2025) [Hi-Res]

German Afghan, internationally celebrated singer and composer Simin Tander, known for her expressive and emotionally evocative voice, received the Annual German Record Critics‘ Award in 2016 for her ECM album with pianist Tord Gustavsen. Recently nominated for the German Jazz Prize 2024 in the „Vocal“ category, Tander continues to captivate audiences with her powerful yet delicate timbre.

Her new album, The Wind, released by Norwegian Jazzland Recordings, features collaborations with Swedish bassist and ECM recording artist Björn Meyer, Swiss drummer and ECM recording artist Samuel Rohrer, and Oslo-based Indian violinist Harpreet Bansal. Together, the quartet weaves a rich, global musical tapestry influenced by Tander’s Afghan heritage (via her father) and multicultural upbringing, creating an ethereal yet grounded soundscape.

To bring her sonic vision to life, Tander partnered with two-time Grammy nominee Joshua Valleau, who mixed the album in New York, and Grammy winner Daddy Key, who completed its masterful finishing touches in Los Angeles. Drawing on the folklore and poetry of Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, England, and Norway, the album’s title, The Wind, symbolizes the merging of contrasts—gentle breezes and storms alike—while evoking transformation, freedom, and unity.

The Wind represents both a continuation and evolution of Tander’s artistic journey. It balances a spectrum of dynamics and moods, from soft, flowing harmonies to energetic, danceable rhythms, all unified by themes of devotion and longing. Tander’s unmistakable voice effortlessly transitions from dark and tender to playful and bold in 5 different languages, while Meyer’s resonant basslines, Rohrer’s intricate grooves, and Bansal’s raga- inspired violin lines add layers of texture and emotion.

Simin Tander ́s The Wind is a masterpiece embodying the timeless and unifying power of wind, an element that transcends boundaries, connecting cultures and eras in a seamless, magical flow.

Simin Tander – voice
Björn Meyer – six string electric bass & effects
Harpreet Bansal – violin
Samuel Rohrer – drums, percussion, electronics