Fire on the Water braids folk, Americana and country, together into a classic sounding collection infused with Michael Dane Hager’s unique musical personality and sensitivity. His dense and cathartic prose is woven throughout his songs starting with the lonesome nostalgic song Smoke & Mirrors. Hager makes the most of this sprawling canvas with his impassioned, textured voice that fills every forlorn lyric with the feeling of what would an echo of our inner thoughts sound like. He’s a songwriter determined to imbue each song with a kind of hard-won authority while not afraid to show his vulnerability, as best reflected in his song Dazed & Confused.

In 2022 Hance signed with X DOT 25 Music. The production of his debut album Ancient Voices completed in 2022 which brought his musical visions into life. Ancient Voices released on December 9, 2022, worldwide through The Orchard/Sony Music Group.

Hance Marchal was born and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Music has always been his passion since he started playing the Panflute at age 7. He started producing his own music four years ago and calls his musical style "Electro Ambient" where he loves the fusion of mystic sounds into electro ambient soundscapes.

Ancient Voices (Single) by Hance Marchal
The title track of Ancient Voices album is also called Ancient Voices, a single which was released as a single and distributed worldwide by The Orchard/Sony Music Distribution in May 2022.

Legend of Azhidahak by Yussi & Django. To mark the 25th year Anniversary release of the debut album by Yussi & Django, X DOT 25 Music is releasing “Legend of Azhidahak” by Yussi & Django. This EP, includes songs which were performed and recorded, featuring Pejman Hadadi, the Persian Master Percussionist (Tombak and Daf).

The over 20 minutes EP, audibly depicts one of the most well known stories in Persian Mythology from “Shahnameh” (Book of Kings) written by a famous Persian Epic Poet of the 10th century, Ferdowsi. It is the story of the Serpent King Zahhak (or Azhidahak). X DOT 25 Music is working on an animation project bringing this Epic story to life. Stay tuned.

Here's an article review published on Music Insider about Echoes Across the Divide:
Michael Dane Hager's Album 'Echoes Across the Divide' Changing Lives

In a world threatened by so many troublesome issues, The Age of Indifference challenges us to take action and not be indifferent to the problems we all share as humans.

Special Note
All the artist's proceeds from the sale of the album Echoes Across the Divide go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Please support this important cause.

10/15/2023: Songs from the album “Echoes Across the Divide” by “Michael Dane Hager” just passed 40,000 streams on Spotify. Songs Swept Away has over 28,000 streams. Over 1300 radio airplays and songs are being featured on radios stations in New York City and other major cities. They are in over 500 playlists and few songs are being featured on some major playlists and the streaming is still on an upward rise.

Leonard Cohen Song Remake

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes …..Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows

“Ultimate Reality Towards Divinity” by “Arash Adelpour” (Ashavahishta) is a story, a path, a step by step self-experience of a being from initial consciousness towards divinity. The genre therefore can be called “Mystical.” Persian Folk music and its rich traditions have influenced some of the melodies but the music itself is original. The band is an acoustic band using folk instruments as well as modern instruments to create a sound that is divinely unique. Arash Adelpour plays the guitar in the band and it is inspired by his experiences around meditation.

The World Trance Group Ashavahishta's album Awakening was released with 12 songs covering words and wisdom of Rumi in a trance-ambient environment. This work includes soaring and sonorous vocals (two females and two males) and master musicianship, mesmerizing, lush, dense, textural, dark, mysterious soundscapes with global rhythms, contemporary sounds, that constitutes a groundbreaker compelling new release, combined with innovation and genre creation (X DOT 25 Music’s signature).

Eastern Constellation by Emad Bonakdar, is a fusion of Jazz, Flamenco, Indian and Persian music, "Eastern Constellation" is a journey through the Eastern lands where it meets the Western harmonies.

A project by “Emad Bonakdar”. Alpine Jazz performed with several fusion Persian musicians at the Niavaran Palace in Tehran. This improvisational album captures the collaboration between Westerns Jazz and Eastern Progressive Musicians. This rare fusion masterpiece includes; Trombone, Acoustic (Flamenco) Guitar, Persian Setar, Tombak, Daf, Alphorn, Hammered Dulcimer, Bass Hammered Dulcimer, Percussion and Drums.

“Audible Visions” by “Payman Abdali”. Payman has been fascinated by the give and take between different types of arts. Music for him is not only what you hear but what pictures it creates in your mind. There are many genres of music that do not dictate what you feel or understand from music, they just flow inside your mind and create colors, shaped and shapeless visions. There are visions with sound, thus "Audible Visions".

“Angel of Thoughts” by Peyman Abdali rock fusion, instrumental album is a powerful sonic story that will take you to distant Persia. Payman started writing music on synthesizers and computers, honing his personal musical vision. Here he paints a picture of a land and culture torn between the ancient and the modern, and shares with his listeners his gift of harmony and rhythm. Accompanied with the guitar mastery of Aldoush, this epic album will take you to a journey through time and dimension.

“Lonely Voyager” by Johnny smith shares with the listeners a message of hope and concern around important issues of our time and invite us to contemplate our daily lives from a compassionate perspective. Conveyed in simple yet eloquent rock and folk settings, this song combines Johnny Tillman Smith's powerful vocals and Michael Dane Hager's complementary songwriting skills and Aldoush Alpanian's typically attentive production.

In “Saa’ateh Pandge" by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh, you will find beautiful melodies and words, expressing artist's emotions and feelings in Persian. Ahmadreza Nabizadeh is a singer-songwriter who has been enriching the Persian community with his musical contributions for many years. His 90’s hit: Azizam is a classic Persian pop song.

In Azizam by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh, you will find beautiful melodies and words, expressing the artist's emotions and feelings expressed in Persian. Music by Siavash Ghomayshi, one of the most sought after contemporary Persian Songwriters. Ahmadreza Nabizadeh is a singer-songwriter who has been enriching the Persian community with his musical contributions for many years.

“Like the Dust” by
“Haunted by Waters”

Haunted By Waters is a group of San Francisco Bay Area musicians and artists who have created an exciting and powerful blend of music which is truly -cross cultural. Fusing together sensual Middle Eastern melodies, Celtic vocals, driving rhythms, & soaring synth sounds, "Like the Dust" is a unique album which celebrates spirit, unity and diversity.

“Beyond Denial” by
“Axiom of Choice”

Axiom of Choice - Persian Émigré Artists rooted in Radif Tradition, risk going beyond the familiar to create new haunting melodies of the desert storm within.

“Mythos” by
“Mythos”

Music of Mythos is a beautifully produced and utilizes hypnotic dance grooves that churn beneath elegant melodies, and it moves impressively through different styles marked by cool, dark synth textures, outstanding classical and acoustic guitar work, thick, punchy bass, and sensuous, chanting vocals.

X DOT 25 MUSIC JAZZ SAMPLER I

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA JAZZ ARTISTS

The best of Jazz from X DOT 25 Music label. Enjoy this collection of compositions from X DOT 25 Music's World Class Jazz Musicians.

Enjoy this collection of compositions from immensely talented Jazz artists. With this extraordinary anthology in hand, you are standing on the proverbial  tip of the iceberg, for beyond the twelve tracks gathered here looms a massive music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area. ...an exemplary batch of equally gifted contemporary innovators... the advance guard of what Ornette Coleman once prophetically called  "The Shape of Jazz to Come." --- Derk Richardson San Francisco Bay Guardian

Artists in this collection: Claudia Villela, Vijay Iyer, Dred Scott, Jeff Massanari, Wally Schnalle, Dann Zinn, Paul Mousavi, Andre Bush, President's Breakfast, 3 Bean Salad, Ann Dyer & No Good Time Fairies, Hafez Modirzadeh.

“This Life” by
“Aldoush”

East meets West on the new release from composer/producer Aldoush Alpanian. A newline up and a different perspective on this album where progressive world fusion crosses rock boundaries and is influenced by Middle Eastern textures. This work is enhanced by Aldoush's expressive vocal work, lyrics of depth and intensity in English, and a band that cooks.

“Longing” by
“Habib Khan”

A World/Indian fusion CD project with tabla master Swapan Chaudhuri, saxophonist extraordinaire George Brooks, famous jazz drummer Danny Gottlieb, Persian santur master Alan Kushan, scalloped fretboard guitar master Matthew Montfort of Ancient Future, Windham Hill/Narada pianist Ira Stein, Drumer Danny Gottlib of Pat Metheny Group, Hans Christian of Rasa on cello & Bass, Saxophonist George Brooks who has accompanied Zakir Hossain and others. "Longing" shows its roots in the music of India with strong Jazzy compositions by Habib Khan.

“Bandidos De Amor” by
“Yussi & Django”

Yussi & Django is a guitar duo that blends Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin rhythms, backed up by bass, drums and percussion. Their Exotic style of instrumental music is spiced with fiery improvisation in a world beat gypsy guitar style

“Ecstasy” by
“Habib Khan”

Habib Khan is regarded as one of the best sitar players in the USA today. He has carved out a distinct style of his own which is a blend of his father's traditional techniques and his own imaginative inventions. He performs classical Indian music with the unusual distinction that it is between sitar and guitar. Ecstasy showcases the jazzy, improvisational side of Habib Khan's music.

Phantom Radio by Yussi Wenger, is a genre bending blend of harmonically rich acoustic compositions, progressive guitar works and complex electronic musicianship with futuristic cryptic vocals.  This album will continue Yussi’s exploration in the same sound space as Atomik Inferno and Galactic Vampire. Phantom Radio is Yussi’s 7th full length album on X DOT 25 Music.

Yussi is currently in Los Angeles, just completed Phantom Radio, a 9 song album released Worldwide on November 6, 2020. Distributed by The Orchard/Sony Music Group.

Ghost XX

Yussi’s Ghost XX is a medley from Atomik Inferno.

L. SHANKAR

X DOT 25 Music Signs with L. Shankar. L. Shankar is one of the best Violinists in the world. New album by L. Shankar, “Over The Stars”, is released on August 16, 2024, Worldwide through The Orchard/Sony Music Group.

New album by L. Shankar with be released on September 20, 2024. In this album L. Shankar is accompanied by Abhijit Banerjee on percussion.

Ahmadreza Nabizadeh

New Album Releases

“Parvaz Dar Ghafas” album by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh released on August 30, 2024 on all Digital Distribution Platforms.

Tabe Kavir by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh is scheduled to release on October 25, 2024.

“Mar Jangeh”, “Sooteh Delan” and “Amoon Az Dele Mo” albums by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh are in final mastering stages and will be released in November and December 2024.

Yar Simtan

The long awaited “Yar Simtan” single, Produced by Simon Phillips (Wiki) was released worldwide.

DJ NUUSH

The Melodic House DJ, NUUSH, is currently working on a remix of a song by “Payman Abdali”. The name of this song is Tehran Midnight, written by Peyman and Max in 1990. It will be released shortly.

Please visit DJ NUUSH Instagram page here.

DJ NUUSH LIVE

Michael Dane Hager

After successful release of the album “Echoes Across the Divide”, Michael Dane Hager just released “Fire On The Water”, the follow up album, released on December 7, 2023.

On this album some of the most prestigious seasoned award winning musicians are collaborating with Michael. Musicians like:

Zach Balch, an award-winning singer/songwriter, arranger guitarist, record producer, recording engineer and music executive (formerly at Universal Music Group).

Steve Eaton, Guitar Maestro/Song Writer, who has written hits for The Carpenters, Art Garfunkel and Lee Greenwood and made it to Billboard Magazine Top 20 on Capital Records and RCA/Victor.

Jeff Gross (Foley Mixer - Sony Pictures Entertainment), Mastered the 11 songs on this album.

Hance Marchal

In the news: In March 2022, X DOT 25 Music signs Hance Marchal the Panflute maestro from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Hance is working on the follow up album to Ancient Voices and has finished four songs for the new album which will be release in Fall of 2024. Stay Tuned.

His debut album Ancient Voices, all produced in Amsterdam and is released on December 9, 2022. At X DOT 25 Music, he will be collaborating with some of the most accomplished X DOT Music’s seasoned producers: Arash Adelpour and Payman Abdali to bring his musical visions into life.

The title track of Ancient Voices album is also called Ancient Voices, which is released as a single and distributed by The Orchard/Sony Music Distribution, Worldwide on all Digital Platforms on May 27, 2022. Please visit your favorite Digital Services Platform.

Ahmadreza Nabizadeh

New English Songs

Sweet Memories in the title of a new upcoming full English album by Ahmadreza Nabizadeh. X DOT 25 Music has obtained the rights to reproduce some of the most beautiful all time English popular songs. These songs are currently in production and 2 of these songs are already produced. We will be releasing few singles from this collection in he next couple of months before the full album is released. First 2 songs in his collection will be the “Windmills of Your Mind” and “Dance Me to the End of Love”. Stay Tuned!

Banafsh

Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen Project

A remake of Everybody Knows song by Leonard Cohen was released by X DOT 25 Music and was well received (over 50,000 YouTube views). Banafsh was always fascinated by Leonard Cohen, even before he started singing. The poetry, the drama, and the sarcasm with occasional proverbial references to the scripture, all in all perfected the fascination.

Currently Banafsh is currently in Greece and is working on continuation of the album “Blue Raincoat”, which includes, in addition to Everybody Knows, remake of over 13 other Leonard Cohen’s songs (under license from Harry Fox Agency). This album is due to release Early 2025, and a follow up concert tour.

Roots by banafsh

The long awaited album “Roots” by Banafsh is going through final stages of production. This album that will include several masterpieces by Banafsh, which he has been performing them on Stage for the last many years. Songs like Roots, In Peace, Soul Man of the East, Man Agar Barkhizam, Simple Pleasures, A Shade in the Fiied, Manifest and many more. We expect the work on this Masterpiece be completed in the early 2024 and possibly release it on March 1, 2025.

X DOT 25 Music turned 30 in 2020.
Here is a music video presenting X DOT 25 Music’s productions throughout these years. We also like to thank all of our listeners and fans who supported us for the past 3 decades help bringing our great music to you.

Planning is under way for a Concert/Festival in San Francisco around October 2022 to celebrate 30 years of exceptional music creation.

X DOT 25 Music have completed a full renovation of its YouTube Music Channel. We have added tens of new HQ videos and currently have close to a hundred beautiful videos to watch. We have also created several Playlists for your convenience to enjoy our core music genres (i.e. World Trance, World Ambient, World Fusion, Flamenco, etc.).

Additionally each of our artists now have their own Playlist with their Official Videos followed by links to every song in their repertoire on X DOT Music label. A great place to visit and spend some time listening to our artist’s exceptional works and support them. All free!

We appreciate your visit to our YouTube site and Subscribing.

Ashavahishta

Ashavahishta's 2nd full album release “The Ring”, is at the last stages of production and is scheduled to release in Winter of 2024. This album promises to continue the rich sound of the debut album Awakening. Stay tuned for more information.

Payman Abdali

Payman Abdali is currently working on several album releases.

He is working on 2 new projects that will be available in 2025. Back in early 1990 he created the “Shirin and Casra” operatic piece of around 10 minutes. This piece which is based on an old Persian mythical story is full of passion and beautiful melodies. Finally this year, this work is being arranged and produced in a Trilogy masterpiece collection called: “The Operique”, and is expected to complete by Q2 of 2025.

Another project is an electronic retro album that takes you back to the electronic music of the 80’s in the same genre as Jean Michel Jaar, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and Michael Garrison.

Zoobeen BANAFSH

After 30 Years the original group Zoobeen BANAFSH, a group which started the X DOT 25 Music label back in 1990 are back together and are working on several releases that will cover the original music written in the 90’s. More to come on this project.