Twenty two years after their inaugural release, Leipzig-based label Altin Village & Mine prepare to release the eight-track ‘Hjirok‘ LP – courtesy of Kurdish singer Hani Mojtahedy and Andi Toma, the other half of Mouse On Mars.
A strong-arm dissident since 2004, Hani Mojtahedy left Kurdistan for the untamed utopia of Berlin. Along the way, the encounter with Andi Toma prompted a puzzling ramble around northeastern Iraq. A sonic pilgrimage began with field recordings from Erbil’s surroundings, the setar melodies of Ali Choolaei and the percussion expertise of Hadi Alizadeh, Jawad Salkhordeh, and Serdar Saydan. Subsequently, ‘Hjirok‘ depicts the bliss and struggles of camouflaged identities with spellbinding neo-Sufi chants, dubbed-out rhythms and leftfield oddities.
Our pick for the premiere is ‘Meselek‘ – a mesmerizing blend of Farsi and Kurdish incantations, intricate layers of ancestral percussions and psyched-out recordings from the land of nomad dwellers. An absolute masterpiece to add to your collection right next to Mohammad Reza Mortazavi.
‘Hjirok’ LP is scheduled for release on 8th March via Altin Village & Mine. Order a vinyl copy from Bandcamp.
TRACKLIST
1. Sanandaj
2. Hjirok Rock
3. Yahu
4. Jin Bo Chie
5. Maly Men
6. Meselek
7. Gorman
8. Tehran