Homeyra - Sokoot (Silence)

Shohreh Solati - To Ke Nisti

Ramesh - Mondanam az Boodanete

Marjan - Sekehe Mah

Nooshafarin - Leile va majnoon

Leila Forouhar - Eshgh Mesle Atish

Mixtape #8

We are delighted to be able to share another selection of Persian pearls. This mixtape has been put together by Martijn Busink, and it is a real treasure trove of Persian pop songs. So grab your copy of Pomegranates Vol. 2 - an unofficial sequel and tribute to the excellent and essential compilation issued by Finders Keepers.

And if you would like a taster for what's in store then enjoy this ...

Wigwam feat. Seija Simola & Eero Koivistoinen: A Girl I Knew (1969)

Wigwam feat. Seija Simola & Eero Koivistoinen: Birthday Day (1969)

Blues Section - Cherry Cup-Cake Twist

Blues Section - Semi Circle Solitude

The Creatures - Where Can She Be?

Monica Zetterlund - Trubbel (live 1968)

Monica Zetterlund - Tant Fel (Fantasimissimo 1967)

Monica Zetterlund - Monicas Vals

Monica Zetterlund - En gång i Stockholm (live)

Grynet Molvig - Här sitter jag i värmen

Inger Jacobsen - Kom Sol, Kom Regn

The Pussycats

The Wizards - See You Tonight

Kirsti Sparboe - Gi meg fri

Grynet Molvig - Intet er nytt under solen

Åse Kleveland - Where have all the flowers gone

Åse Kleveland - Gi meg fri

Åse Kleveland - Intet er nytt under solen

Mixtape #7

Here's a special mixtape, Sketches of Iran Volume 1: Googoosh, complete with another gorgeous cover designed by PC. Rather than just collecting funky impressions, hopefully this Googoosh collection highlights the astonishing mix of influences swirling around in Persian pop. Among what I assume are traditional folk and classical elements (and certainly not just from Iran) there seem to be flamenco flourishes, latin touches, spy movie soundtrack dramatics, traces of Bacharach bossa and jazzy arrangements. My own favourite Googoosh moments are less about the dancefloor and more to do with glorious sad ballads with swooping, syrupy strings and that amazing quivery, heartbreaking voice. As ever this mix comes with a huge health warning. These are songs I have stumbled across, ones I have fallen in love with. I have no way of telling how representative they are, but I think they are amazing. There will be many who know much more about these things ...

Beti - Gorge Chanbari

Ahdieh - Chabok Savar

Giti - Lily Hoazak

Giti - Del e Man

Giti - Molana (Molavi)