Iranian Funk
Currently up at NPR is a great mini-set of 70s Iranian funk, collected by Egon of Stones Throw Records. It’s part of their ongoing Funk Archaeology series, and features tracks by some folks I’ve never heard (like the sitar-and-Afrobeat-infused Mehr Pooya and beach-psych-y Kourosh Yagmhei) as well as my old favorite, Googoosh (or Googoush, or گوگوش, all of which apparently mean “Swanhawk,” which is extra cool).
Though she’s possibly the biggest Iranian popstar of all time, I first discovered her through the genius video clip for Nime Gomshode, and was immediately smitten by her sultry voice, avant dance moves, and seriously visionary style (I’ve been trying to rock the loose vest/white Keds thing ever since).
Enjoy the acid-disco classic here:
Also a clip from the 1974 movie Hamsafar, where GG takes a romantic B&W motorcycle ride through the mountains:
Update: More Persian funk/psych links here:
Radiodiffusion Blog Iran Posts
Reviews of Persian Progressive & Crossover Music items
Psych Funk 101 Compilation – looks kind of basic but features some tracks