This week on Sound Travels we'll continue our Best Of... tendencies for ending a year with another Best In Seven list; this week, it's the best re-issues of vintage and lost musics from around the world. Today we heard #7 and #6...
#7 - Kourosh - Back From The Brink - Pre-Revolutionary Psychedelic Rock From Iran
Iran gets the nod at number seven for the cosmic psychedelia of Iranian composer Kourosh. A dude so important to the discussion of vintage Iranian rock that he gets by on only one name. Now And Again Records is at it again with this fine release of ballads, grooves and rockers from a cat who hasn't been able to play in his home country for decades due to censorship. Really, it's amazing this work has even survived given the edicts of Iran's Islamic Revolution in the 70's. But it has and now, it's clear that the world needs to hear this important artist. Back From The Brink - Pre-Revolutionary Psychedelic Rock From Iran is exactly what it says, what it doesn't say, is how effin good that sound is. I had no expectation of what this would sound like until I heard it. For fans of psych rock, especially akin to the mojo of the 70's Turkish scene, this is your record. Just don't try to take mine...
Kourosh "Dar Enteha"
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Kourosh "Ghazal"
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#6 - Black Truth Rhythm Band - Ifetayo
The folks at Soundway Records get the honors for the number six spot on this countdown as they return to the Caribbean to present Ifetayo by Black Truth Rhythm Band. Originally released in 1976 and led by the charismatic Oluko Imo, IIfetayo was the only release from the Afro-centric, Trinidadian band and has been re-issued for the first time by Soundway. While most of the Caribbean music of the 70's was looking to the funk of the USA & James Brown for inspiration, Black Truth Rhythm Band looked to Africa, fusing rhythms from Africa & the West Indies with elements of jazz, funk, calypso and soul. These influences are what set Black Truth Rhythm Band apart from other West Indian bands. Formed in 1971, the group looked further a field than the USA for their influences, more specifically to Africa, even going as far as giving themselves African names and dressing in African clothes. But far from just looking the part, these cats crafted a classic afrobeat recording unlike many that I've heard. The fact that this came out this week, and still made my best of, speaks volumes...
Black Truth Rhythm Band "Imo"
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Black Truth Rhythm Band "Ifetayo"
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