Kourosh Yaghmaei - Back From The Brink - Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock From Iran: 1973-1979
Artwork: Kourosh Yaghmaei
Back From The Brink - Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock From Iran: 1973-1979 is a unique musical witness of that said period, an album which had been banned in Iran for a long time. Its composer Kourosh Yaghmaei is arguably one of the most important modern musicians of Iran. Discovering the original tapes of Kourosh, opened up a significant opportunity to rediscover some of Iranian history which wasn’t accessible for over 17 years due to the bans. His songs got reproduced by Now Again Records specializing on re-releases and rarities.
So, one could say that this LP works like an historical document tracing back a time and place which was long unacquainted for many, in particular witnessing Iranian’s diversity in rock music. Kourosh himself hid his recordings once the Iranian Revolution had started. The government which came to power in its wake, following religious and socially conservative as well as an anti-Western policies, banned amongst others any kind of western music from national radio and television. For the government music was considered a threat towards supposedly “corrupting Iranian youth” and robbing them of their “strength and virility”.
Most of Kourosh’s songs are a combination of Persian classical poems, his own lyrics, and contemporary poems all put together with Persian traditional music, Iranian folk, blues and psychedelic rock. Between 1975 to 1979, Yaghmaeis recorded 24 songs in total. 17 of those songs were collected in two albums named Hajm-e Khali (1975) and Sārāb-e Toe (1977) released in cassettes. The remaining 7 songs were recorded in the pre-revolution riot period between 1978 to 1979. With no right to carry out his work he was seen as a state enemy and wasn’t allowed to record or perform his music. However, he instead composed music for children and taught music lessons, both undercover. Only in 1997 restrictions began to loosen and access to western music was possible again, thus Yaghmaeis released 5 records in a very short period of time. In 2005 with no particular reason Yaghmaeis Music got prohibited again and his latest album got confiscated by the government. Due to his records being under heavy censorship in Iran until now, Kourosh now runs a private music school and studio in Tehran.
Even though not being able to understand a word, while listening to the songs you will perceive and understand exactly what the songs want you to feel. I find it ever so fascinating that the combination of the music playing, thus its harmonies, the tone and intonation of the voice will normally accomplish the same reaction or feeling at its recipients without having to understand the language.
Most of the tracks leave one dreamful and bewitched. His songs contain lovely piano melodies, easy guitar jams, always accompanied with Kouroshs’ trademark singing. The first track will probably demonstrate this the best: Yole Yakh; it was written by Mahdi Akhavan Langeroudi, who was Kourosh’s friend at university and is one of the most significant modern Persian poets. It carries oneself away through the playfulness of the piano, the floaty guitar and Kourosh’s poetical singing.
Saraabe Toe and Leila belong to the same sound spectrum, thus two great lyrical songs coming along with a deeply heartbreaking note, which is noteworthy on a first listen.
Saraabe Toe:
Leila:
At the same time however, there are also electric guitar jams, thus purer rock tracks, such as shown in the track Gazhal: it contains some vivid electrical riffs, “tablas” drums and a tambura, followed up by the track Tavalode Yek Seda, in which Koroush almost showcases any genre that he was influenced by - combining funky elements with psychedelic guitar melodies. However his lyrical way of singing never changes. It is the key to his music and recognition value.
Gazhal:
Tavalode Yek Seda:
A lot more tracks could get pointed out of the 21 tracks in total, however it is still best to put the record on, leading you to some really great jam, devoted lyrics, being able to catch a sight of a different Persia in contrast to the picture that might have stuck in our heads.
Listen to Kourosh Yagmaei on Spotify:
