I’m always happy (and honoured) when James G suggests a collaboration. This is our third together, and this time we’re taking over each other’s feeds.
James created The Twelve Inch 103 — highly recommended. For my part, I’ve put together Mixtape 167 - Talaagh Transmission, my personal take on James’s musical universe.
At the heart of this set is one of Iran’s biggest stars, Googoosh. I recently watched a documentary about her life and exile from Iran. One of her most iconic songs, “Talaagh,” feels especially relevant today — exploring emotional separation, shared suffering, and survival through pain.
This mix moves through different landscapes: Middle Eastern influences meet another long-time passion of mine, South American sounds. There’s also a curious mid-section where a ballad meets mid-fifties patriotic film music and Rosemary Clooney’s mambo — before ending with proof that you don’t actually need synths to play Kraftwerk.
