'Jirga' is a 2018 Australian drama film written and directed by Benjamin Gilmour and produced by John Maynard.

It stars Sam Smith as a former Australian soldier returning to Afghanistan to seek forgiveness from the family of a man he killed while serving in the war.

The film was shot under extreme circumstances, in dangerous locations and with assistance from the local people of Afghanistan.

Deemed too politically divisive to be produced in Pakistan the film moved production at the last minute to Afghanistan and shot in one of the most dangerous regions in the world, Kandahar Province.

The brand new soundtrack to Jirga is composed by AJ True, a Sydney, Australia-based musician known for his work as a co-founder and drummer of Psychobilly band Zombie Ghost Train from 2002-2008.

Indeed, as a composer, producer, and musical director his music has been used in film, TV, radio & theatre.

1. 'Arrival' (1:12)
2. 'Walk to Hotel' (1:09)
3. 'Hotel Money Mystery' (2:16)
4. 'Safar Sandara' - Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad (1:01)
5. 'Meeting with the Colonel' (1:19 )
6. 'Hotel at Night' (1:14)
7. 'Hotel to Lakes' (1:21 )
8. 'Road to Kandahar' (1:27)
9. 'Dand Sandara' - Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad (0:32)
10. 'Roadblock' (3:08)
11. 'Lost in the Desert' (4:31)
12. 'Bonding at the Lakes' - Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad & Sam Smith (1:05)
13. 'Execution' (2:19)
14. 'Confession' (1:23)
15. 'Walk to Ruin' (2:22)
16. 'Lakes Solo' - Sam Smith (0:47)
17. 'Cave Montage' (1:32)
18. 'Walk to Village' (1:33)
19. 'Mike Rolls Over' (0:50)
20. 'Da Oor Sandara' - Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad (1:00)
21. 'Widow' (2:14)
22. 'Jirga to Sacrifice' (2:03)
23. 'Going Home' (1:48)
24. 'Adhan' (featuring Mu'aḏḏin) (1:10)
25. 'Midnight with Moroder' (Bonus Jirga Pitch Track) (2:44)

The first track 'Arrival' sets the atmospheric scene just perfectly and segue ways seamlessly into two of my favorites, 'Walk To The Hotel' and 'Hotel Money Mystery.'

The Eastern tone to the tracks - that includes the use of Cello, Harmonium, Violin, Viola and amongst others Rebab, Acoustic Guitar and Electric Bass - is simply stunning and shines bright in other tracks such as the stern 'Meeting with the Colonel,' the hypnotizing 'Road to Kandahar' and both the long-trek-in-the-hot-sun journeyman feel of 'Walk to Ruin' and pained 'Jirga to Sacrifice.'

The two tracks featuring Britain's Sam Smith are beautifully unique in their own ways. The first, 'Lake Solo' finds Smith on acoustic guitar for just 47 seconds, the latter 'Bonding at the Lakes' a slightly longer meditative guitar amalgamate session.

Rounding out with the yearning of 'Going Home,' the street sounds of 'Adhan' (featuring Mu'aḏḏin), and then the ambiance-induced synth bonus pitch track 'Midnight with Moroder,' Jirga is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most endearing and scenically-sculptured soundtracks that I have come across in the past decade.

Featured Musicians: Qais Essar: Rebab - Ali Sarshar: Harmonium - Heather Lindsay: Cello - Veronique Serret: Violin and Viola - Sayd Sarshar: Tanbur - Farman Khan: Additional Rebab - Dirk Kruithof: Additional Acoustic Guitar - Michaela Davies: Additional Electric Bass - AJ True: Synthesizers, Guitars, Additional Harmonium.

Official CD Purchase Link

www.ajtrue.net