Born in 1957 in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, Alim Qasimov studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Music College and the Azerbaijan University of Arts under mugham singer Aghakhan Abdullayev. He is widely regarded as the leading living performer of mugham, the Azerbaijani classical vocal and instrumental art form inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and received the International Music Council-UNESCO Music Prize in 1999. He frequently performs with his daughter, Fargana Qasimova, and has recorded with the Silkroad Ensemble.

Mood and energy: Soaring, improvisatory, vocal-led. Recommended uses: reflection, meditation.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 4 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: The pre-eminent living tradition-bearer of Azerbaijani mugham, a UNESCO-recognized art form, whose inclusion prevents this collection from defaulting to instrumental music alone.