Dislocated Pulse

The debut album by Persian kamancheh virtuoso and composer Mehrnam Rastegari is a short but sharp statement, brimming with confidence and style. Having established a reputation for pushing Persian music in bold new directions – notably into psychedelic rock and fusion – Rastegari has assembled an ensemble of versatile musicians from her adopted home of New York City. Her main melodic foil and harmonic support comes from Amit Peled on electric guitar, whose Mediterranean-tinged lines and phase-heavy distortion lend the album a raucous edge, particularly on the fiery closer ‘Kabouki’. The odd-time grooves of ‘Naz’ and ‘Velveleh’ are anchored with focused swagger by the rhythm section of Dani Danor on drums and Panagiotis Andreou on fretless bass – the latter occasionally using his instrument to expertly replicate Persian microtonality. Rastegari herself is a compelling frontwoman throughout, both vocally and instrumentally, her overdrive-laden voice at times imbuing the music with punk rock energy. As a debut solo release, Dislocated Pulse makes a striking first impression.