Persian Melodies, Vol. 2

A small independent label based in L.A.'s suburban San Fernando Valley, Caltex Records can usually be counted on to deliver first-class recordings of Persian/Iranian music. Persian Melodies is no exception. The CD's liner notes aren't great (someone as talented as violinist Parviz Yahagni deserves the type of comprehensive, detailed liner notes Shanachie or Rounder would have provided), but the music certainly is. Yahagni's forte is traditional Persian/Iranian instrumental music, which he delivers in the company of pianist Javad Maroufi and fellow improvisers Jalil Shahnaz, Fazlollah Tavakol and Jahanoir Malek (all of whom play Middle Eastern string instruments). Lovers of post-bop jazz might see some parallels between selections like "Boustan, "Bee Parva" and "Mastaneh" and the music of John Coltrane and Yusef Lateef. The lack of a blues feeling is the main thing that separates this CD from modal jazz, but like Coltrane or Lateef, Yahagni thrives on modal improvisation. Highly recommended.