Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian: Noor-e Vojood
From the Press Release:
“Centripetal Force (North America), Cardinal Fuzz (UK), and Radio Khiyaban (Europe) are excited to announce Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian's second album Noor-e Vojood. The album is being presented digtial;y, as well as a 500 copy vinyl pressing. The album will be made available for preorder on January 24. Its release date is March 7.”
Some of you might remember the weekly global music podcast I did for a year, The Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Supershow. Most of you have probably never heard of it. The main idea behind it was that one of the ways we can overcome Xenophobia is by listening to a culture’s music. Over the course of 52 30-minute episodes, we explored music from all over the world. My horizons expanded and my tastes deepened.
I particularly came to love many forms of non-Western classical music such as Indian and Persian. Being a psychedelic fan, I have also been drawn to what many might call psychedelic-adjacent music. This often falls under the category of ritualistic or spiritual music in. many cultures, where repetition plays a key role (think whirling dervishes, etc.). It’s not intentionally projected as “psychedelic music,” but psychedelic music fans will find much to love; particularly instrumental music that is able to communicate deep truths and emotion.
Though I was not familiar with Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian at the time, he certainly would have been featured. Playing the tanbur (or tambur) is a form of long-necked lute used in many folk traditions. While Heydarian’s first album was built largely around improvisation, his second album incorporates tighter structure while still highlighting the playing of a musician at the top of their game.
Noor-e Vojood translates as “the light of existence” and you can feel this theme throughout these six tracks. Powerful, propulsive, and meditative, and joyful. Noor-e Vojood cements Mohammad Mostafa Heydarian’s place as an artist to watch.