Let No One Judge You - Early Recordings From Iran 06 - 33

Another lavish 2CD collection on the Honest Jon's Label this time concentrating on early rare music from Iran.The two CDs are sumptuously presented in a hard-back gatefold sleeve, with a 26-page booklet containing full notes and marvellous photos, on fine-art papers, stitched not stapled. The music was restored from 78s at Abbey Road studio in London. Ravishingly beautiful, achingly precious songs and instrumentals, ranging from two performances by the Royal Court Orchestra in 1906 - with futuristic, overlapping trumpets and exquisite clarinet improvisation - through to a hauntingly soulful Hafez setting by Moluk Zarrabi of Kashan from 1933. There are eight selections from more than three hundred recordings made in 1909 above the Gramophone Company offices in City Road, London EC1, by the Persian Concert Party.