The Festival Four

Soon a new music festival will see the light of day in Tehran! In affiliation with United Nation and in celebration of the World Aids Day the five day long event will kick off on December 1. Hosted by Niki Karimi and Mohammad Reza Forootan, performing artists will be Ali Reza Assar, Mani Rahnama, Reza Tazdani and Mehran Modiri. The festival is predicted to be sold out!

Review Update: “Ya Ali” is “Ya Ghali”

I have told you before, I’m getting old! Yep! When I wrote the review on Nooshafarin’s latest, I applauded her decision to give credit to the original composer of the song “Ya Ali”. Today Ahmad, your fellow reader and one of those who have frequently aided this reviewer in research for his reviews, pointed out to me that this song is actually a cover on the Arabo-Andalusian song “Ya Ghali” by the Alabina inspired band Guitara! He was right and the funny part is that I know that song and have listened to it many times before, yet I wasnt able to recognize it in this particular shape and cover! Which indicates a good cover (and that I’m getting old!). However some suggest that its original is Indian and that it is called “Ya Ali” originally, an answer to the question I raised in the review! Further it has been used in the movie “Gangster”. So whether its Indian or Arabic is not clear to me so far! However as far as Nooshafarin’s version goes its not a rip-off but rather a text book example of how a legal/ethical cover should be conducted! Well done!

Hypocrisy of Piracy

When you visit the many blogfa blogs devoted to piracy and illegal distribution of Iranian music there is one certain behaviour which strikes one as peculiar in that particular context. And that is the choosing and picking of one single singer to endorse and promote in a legal and ethical manner! In the middle of all self-righteous act of wrecking you see a raised sign of sanctioned morality which advocates: “please support X by buying his music and not downloading it!”. And this very contradiction in attitude and action reflects the very hypocrisy that resonates in our culture and society! As long as its “them” and not “us”!

Yeganeh: I did release my songs illegally!

Mohsen Yeganeh whose legal album has sold more than 150.000 copies till this day, says in an interview with Shahrvande Emrooz that even though both his and Chavoshi’s music were recorded in and leaked from the same studio they never met before the actual incident. Unlike Chavoshi, Yeganeh admits that he deliberately released his tracks illegally after having been rejected by Ershaad in the begining. I wanted exposure and feedback, he explains. He says that not all artists are privileged enough to enjoy the support of the state media like Ehsan Khajeamiri does. Someone who Yeganeh doubts would have been the star he is today if he wasn’t favouritised by IRIB. Yeganeh only regrets that his name has been listed with the majority of the undergrounders whom he consider as underachievers! He says that he is getting more and more into ELECTRONICA and that it will put its flair on his future music, his next work however will be a REMIX album.

thanks to Mansour J.

Ershaad: Music is not a “hobby”!

Hossein Arab Assadi of Ershaad said in a press conference that education is considered being one of the fundamental pillars of music and should not be pursued as a “hobby”! Anything but a “professional” approach is considered as undermining and should be reconsidered by those many who take it lightly.

Sepideh on Swedish IDOL

The Iranian/Filipino Sepideh Vaziri is currently one of contestants on the Swedish IDOL. This exotic lady is a perfect specimen of the new generation of Iranians around the world with a multi-ethnic and -cultural background. A beautiful blend of features and talents! She has an amazing voice which has spellbound both the public and jury in Sweden! Here is taste of what she does:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD86puHdkOI

If you like to see more of Sepideh, there are more of her to be found on youtube!

New Release: Saeid Shahrouz - “Bikhaabi”

Few days ago I was going through some of my old mix-discs when suddenly Saeid Shahrouz “Eblis” started playing! Bringing back memories and reminding me how much I really enjoyed and missed his voice and music. I began wondering why we haven’t heard from the man in so many years, while he used to release albums on an annual basis! Coincidentally I was informed today that his brand new album was released without any advertisement a few weeks ago, entitled “Bikhaabi”. Behrooz Saffarian has co-composed and -arranged the album.

Its good to have you back!

A nasty rumour!

I keep getting emails asking me why I haven’t announced the departure of Kourosh Yagmaie! Well to my knowledge the whole thing has been a nasty rumour! Reportedly he is alive and well, working on new material.

The Uncrowned King of Concerts

Hamid Askari is according to several concert arrangers the unofficial record holder of concerts in Iran! This in a time when POP performers are being discriminated against.

And released! …Finally!

Chavoshi’s legal debut is finally released and confirmed available in the stores! The album comes in three different types of packaging, namely wallet, jewel case and digipak. A new website has also been launched, dediacted to the new album:

http://a-lotus-sprout.com

thanks to Mansour J

Saffarian producing Zaman

Hossein Zaman will be back, once again, with a new album called “Gharaare Aasheghi”. A collaboration with prominent creators such as Behrooz Saffarian (pic), Toraj Shabankhani and M. R. Cheraghali.

House of Farhad is being dissolved

House of Farhad is being dissolved due to internal turmoil! So far the indefinite postponing of the long announced Farhad Awards has been blamed on the lack of location, now as the dirty laundry is being aired in Fars News things seem to have a less pleasant explanation. Reportedly there is an ongoing legal dispute between Farhad’s family and the other parties in the board of directors, regarding the legal rights when it comes to the awards. A disagreement which has developed into a dispute in courts and as long as the issue hasn’t been solved the fate of the awards is uncertain. The family however attempts to establish a new independent House of Farhad, as soon as possible.

And postponed! …Again!

As I personally expected the Chavoshi album which was due out today has been postponed till further notice! Rumour has that its due to the label Barbad Music’s problems with authorities!

Chavoshi who is currently the talk of the press in Tehran, has in recent interviews suggested that competing companies have had a role in ruining his reputation with Ershaad and now aim to get their album-releases coincided with his so that they can sell their products when people visit the record stores to get his album. But I don’t mind helping them out, he says to Shahrvande Emrooz.

“Ye Shaakhe Niloofar” features material that is what the fans expect, its commercial in that sense, even though it no longer represents Chavoshi’s personal taste and style. Next album however will. It will be less POP and more experimental and avant-garde. Even though there is TRANCE on the new album I’m more of a soft ROCK fan says Chavoshi. The singer and his arranger Ahari also make sure to let us know that Mohsen Namjoo has expressed request to do a collaboration with Chavoshi. The album is currently under production but he is now more careful to give the new material an early exposure, based on the previous experiences that got his albums leaked and his legal career postponed. All songs leaked were done by the studio owners who recovered those deleted demos from their computers, some even recorded their own voice and made it sound like a duet while it wasn’t (perhaps referring to the Mohsen Yeganeh duet which Chavoshi has always rejected), claims the singer.

Chavoshi assures us that he will never again attend to themes and lyrics with negative vibe and energy, since he didn’t like them even when he made them before and now it doesn’t suit his mentality to sing songs about “hate“ and “suicide“. The early songs were misunderstood explains Chavoshi and unrightfully got to represent my style and music. He admits that the music was a product of a certain musical wave and trend that brought him and others to the musical foreground back then. While he understand that much of his popularity depends on exactly that misunderstanding, he realises that he has changed and feels more socially-morally responsible. He cant stand for such an attitude in general and wishes to promote morality and love. He sees those songs as mistakes and would like to put that part of his career behind him, once and for all, according to the interview with 40cheragh.

I have no issue with Ershaad, Chavoshi says, they rightfully thought that since I didn’t report the leaked songs I myself was responsible for the leakage, while I didn’t know that I was supposed to report such a thing. He realises that many have lost their popularity after legalisation but claims that he wont since he is constantly developing. As an answer to why he is public/media-shy he replies that he doesn’t seek fame while others use him to reach it. By taking pictures with him while he is asleep or present themselves as him in public in order to sign autographs. I try to avoid people and media, in past people have exploited my friendship says Chavoshi.

While he now in retrospect sees his involvement in the “Santoori” movie as a smart move for his career (as opposed to how he has expressed regret last year) he realises that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that he will never again attend to scoring soundtracks. Since any other attempt to surpass will fail and fade in comparison. Mohsen Chavoshi claims that those who suggest that its not his actual voice on the albums are lying and that he doesn’t even use any significant effect on his voice (!) or manipulating it in any other way than applying echoes. His declining of the invitation to perform at Kish Festival was due to him not being ready to give concerts yet, he says, and not that he is scared of people hearing his real voice. In fact there might be no one who is a more solid live performer than I am, Chavoshi confidently claims! Finally he informs that he is not willing to give concerts outside Iran, because that might jeopardise his career inside the country.

A sneak peek at the album cover image, which promises a rather refreshing concept!

Thanks to Mansour J

New Release: Davood Behboodi - “Nazgol”

Davood Behboodi’s new album “Nazgol” is released as a combo CD/DVD package:
http://musicboxla.com/dabenagol.html

First Iranian album composed by a woman

The first Iranian album composed by a woman is released in Iran! Sara Najafi began the creation of “Armin” as part of the soundtrack for the film “Zagros”. The album is instrumental and orchestral with parts featuring a choir.

New Release: Shahram Shabpareh - “Tapesh”

The KING OF POP is back! Shahram’s brand new album entitled “Tapesh”, just like the label and TV he appears on, is an elaborate collaboration with Mohamad Moghadam. Featuring a duest with Andy and a homage to late Pouran Shapouri. Its fun to see Shahram continuing with his colourful and playful album covers a la 80’s (not to forget hot models! Hubba hubba!), in these days where album covers are dull portraits of the singer against a plain background!
http://eworldrecords.com/tapesh3.html

New Release: Babak - “Delhore va Arezooha”

We proudly present Babak’s highly anticipated debut album “Delhore va Arezooha”! Make sure to get this album from our store today, in order to enjoy the Bia2 excluisve tracks!
https://www.bia2.com/store/album.php?aid=7

Santana on Yazdani’s next album!

The Iranian artists’ collaborations with Western artists seem to continue after the ARIAN/de Burgh success. According to Cinemaye Maa now its Carlos Santana’s turn to be featured on Reza Yazdani’s forthcoming album! Yazdani explains that the legendary guitarist decided to perform on the album after having heard and approved the song in question. This unique collaboration will be available on Reza Yazdani’s yet-to-be-titled 4th album!

New Release: Farzad Farzin - “Shock”

Farzad Farzin’s second legal album has just been released. “Shock” which was initially due to be out in 2006 features music by Farzin himself and Mohsen Chavoshi. It should be mentioned that Farzin is one of the few artists, POP artists in particular, to receive a hype and exposure of the new album on states TV! According to the singer the album is supposed to SHOCK the music industry!

Thanks to Richard

Youth Music Festival Cancelled

The Javan music festival which was held last year for the sixth time, after four years of postponing, will this year be cancelled due to lack of budget. Ershaad itself is the organizer of this youth festival.

Kabiri is worried

Mojtaba Kabiri’s third album “Nim Negaah” was approved by Ershaad a while back, however not granted a release permit yet! Kabiri expresses worry and doesn’t know what the delay is caused by!

Newcomers on the new album

Ehsan Khajehamiri is working on his new album in his home studio. For the first time Afshin Yadollahi plays a smaller role in the production, the major parts have instead been given to newcomers.

ICOM opens online music museum

Soon the first Iranian online music museum will be launched by the nongovernmental organization ICOM. The director Peyman Soltani, who is also the kapellmeister of the Nations’ Orchestra, says that around 3000 photos and 5000 audio clips will be available for registered remembers on www.icommusic.ir (alt. .com).

Rajabpour’s New Discovery

Mohsen Rajabpour, the manager of both ARIAN and Benyamin, intends to present a new “star” to the domestic music scene. This young singer by the name of Soheil Tehrani is already being compared to Benyamin in terms of star-quality and music, especially with Nima Varasteh (arranger of Benyamin’s “85″) behind his upcoming debut “Baavaram Kon”. Those who are well-versed in Persian language surely see the irony of combining the word “star” with the name Soheil! Hopefully he wont turn out to be a “Setaareye Soheil”!

New Sadeghi album on the way

Reza Sadeghi’s third legal album will hit the stores soon, called “Cheghadr Sakhte”. In which Sadeghi himself has composed most of the tracks along with compositions by Mehdi Zangangeh.

New Release: Jamshid - “Avalin Negaah”

Jamshid’s new album has just been released, in case you’ve missed it on the main page! Check it out and if you like it get it from your very own Bia2 store:
http://www.bia2.com/store/album.php?aid=6