Ahmad Zahir – "Volume 2: Afghan 70s Psychedelic Folk-Pop" (Guerssen – GUESS093) 2012

 

Ahmad Zahir, the Afghan johnny Haliday(?),was rocking it, Afghan style, from early in the 70's and probably continued around hipsville Kabul well after the Soviet Invasion of 1980. Rumor has it that Osama Bin Liner was a big fan. Doubtless a big hit at those wild Mujaheddin parties in the Bora Bora caves using that Hi-Fi as donated by the CIA, along with all that American ordinance that defeated The Soviets (y'know Jeans and Beatles records), and financed Al Qaeda at the same time. Including, I am told, a merch stall that included Ahmad Tie-Dye Burka's with Ahmad's name emblazoned on the front.......I Want One!

Dunno about this compilation being Psychedelic -Folk-pop, however? Sounds very  folky,but is lacking that certain fried LSD vibe with red zone shimmering tape delay effects that sounds not unlike an overdriven Mellotron in places.

Those platter spinning gen-x DJ's could find 'Psyche-Pop' classix in the dung of a Turkmenistani mountain goat and release this groovy shit on an unsuspecting record buying public well before tea-time,shrove Tuesday 2027.

No doubt Peter Gabriel and David Byrne bought up all the copies immediately(can't find Vol.1 anywhere) so they could plagarise at their leisure, and teach that Paul Simon chap a stiff Lesson or two.

Zahir's career was probably brought to an abrupt end under the Taliban after their flagship policy of Banning Music was enforced, somewhat Harshly, by the Morality Police......in fact I googled it and it turns out the Elvis Of Afghanistan, as he was called...(not Johnny Halliday) met an untimely death even before the Soviets arrived, as he was assassinated by unknown gunman(Lee Harvey Oswald's smarter brother) from the top of a mountainous book depository on 14 June 1979,his 33rd birthday!?

Apparently he didn't get on with the Marxist Government, who denied any involvement. The Commie newspapers reported his death was a car accident....not very original,but necessary when there are no balconies available.

Tracklist:

A1 Agar Ze Khaliq Malaamat (Featuring Hangama) 6:52
A2 Ahange Zindegi 5:17
A3 Az Dozdida Chashm Az Ahoo 3:46
B1 Az Nazo Che Maykhande 5:03
B2 Baduhait Konam 4:34
B3 Begzar Begreyan 9:24
C1 Begzaro Ta Begeeryam 4:05
C2 Behooda Am 4:55
C3 Beya Borim Ba Sangeran 7:28
D1 Che Khoosh Amadi Safaa Kardi 5:29
D2 Dil Ze Sowda 4:28
D3 Awship Shudee Aye Dil 8:08

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