The Iranian experimental music scene is relatively unknown in the West. To many it may be surprising to hear that electronic composition even exists in Iran. Yet this double disc set aims to rectify this by presenting two artists, each representing a different generation of the Iranian electronic scene. Disc 1 features Alireza Mashayeki, a man considered one of the pioneers of modern music in Iran. He studied in Europe and believes in the multiculturalism of artistic thought. His music draws on elements of musique concrete and sound art creating these extended pieces of highly composed avant garde music. He uses drones, noise, and there are these vaguely Middle Eastern harmonies that occasionally filter through. There’ an intense noise component to some of his pieces with abrupt gestures and visceral stabs, however there’ also extended gentle drones, where thin wisps of melody occasionally float by. The other disc is the younger generation, Ata Ebtekar, also known as Sote, who’ released music on Warp and is probably one of the best known of present day Iranian musicians. Much of music attempts to replicate Iranian music and tunings within the digital realms, which of course takes it into totally new directions. Whilst some of the structures remain similar the timbre of the sounds are totally different which is quite fascinating. This is music that feels somehow pure whilst remaining highly treated. Ebtekar whilst utilising similarly avant garde techniques utilises dsp effects to create a bizarre artificial world filled with incredible textures, high on drama and dynamic developments, yet also infused with a patience and incredibly calming hypnotic quality. It’s an incredible collection that demonstrates the impact culture can have on electronic music and in doing so offers us a peek into a world we know little about.
Bob Baker Fish
