Kourosh Yaghmaei - Back From The Brink

Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock from Iran: 1972 – 1979. ‘Back From The Brink’ is the only legitimately licensed collection of the godfather of Iranian psychedelic rock, Kourosh Yaghmaei, whose recordings were thought lost after Islamic fundamentalists took control of Iran. They weren’t: Kourosh had protected them, and their collection here - spread over three LPs or a limited quadruple 7-inch box set - bolstered by Kourosh’s first person recollections of Iran’s ‘70s rock scene and its death after the Khomeni Revolution, tells the story of an immensely talented artist’s desire to persevere in the face of terrible adversity. Kourosh and his brothers Kamran and Kambiz were amongst the few inspired Iranian musicians determined to change Tehran’s musical landscape in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The trio, armed with rented, second-hand instruments and records by The Ventures, The Kinks, and The Doors, merged Western garage rock, psychedelia and Iranian folkloric music to create a sound unlike anything that came before them. Later, inspired by the unlikely duo of Elton John and James Taylor, Kourosh’s music took a sophisticated turn, and he churned out funky, progressive rock that is as imminently enjoyable as it is impossible to categorize. But while most Pre-Revolution musicians – including his brothers – fled Iran in 1979, Kourosh stayed, loyal to the country of his birth. He has suffered a performance and recording ban for 22 of the last 32 years. Yet he remains stoic and resolved to continue bolstering Iranian musical tradition. This essential piece of Iran’s musical history is available on 21 track Deluxe Triple Gategold LP Set with 28 page full color booklet, or limited 4 x 7” Box Set with 44 page full colour booklet, containing an extensive, first-person treatise by Kourosh himself, plus rare photos and ephemera of Iran’s 70s rock scene, many never before seen. All tracks are fully restored from Kourosh’s original master tapes.

Tracklist:

3LP    A1. Gole Yakh   A2. Dar Enteha   A3. Hajme Khali   A4. Paiz   B1. Leila   B2. Del Dareh Pir Misheh   B3. Akhm Nakon   B4. Shirin Joon   E1. Saraabe Toe   E2. Reyhan   E3. Baroona   F1. Khaar   F2. Havar Havar   F3. Ashiooneh   C1. Ghazal F4. Bachehaye Khoobe Koocheh   C2. Tavalode Yek Seda   C3. Mosafere Shar Baran   D1. Saghe   D2. Entezar   D3. Niyayesh

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