Mohammad Reza Mortazavi - Nexus

Mohammad Reza Mortazavi returns to Latency with Nexus, a full-length album recorded in Berlin that pushes his radical reinvention of Persian percussion into new territory. Known for his groundbreaking techniques on the tombak and daf, Mortazavi here incorporates voice, effects, and electronic treatments for the first time in his discography. These elements extend, rather than depart from, his lifelong exploration of rhythm and resonance.

The album begins with ‘Zendegi’ (‘Life’), built from the rhythm of the chant “Woman, Life, Freedom” as a gesture towards his homeland and beyond. Throughout Nexus, Mortazavi explores connection, transformation, and the unseen forces that shape reality, presenting music as both teacher and guide. The title refers to a meeting point where energies and ideas converge, reflecting the record’s deeply meditative yet exploratory spirit.

The cover features an image by American artist and filmmaker Jordan Belson, whose visionary “visual music” aligns seamlessly with Mortazavi’s trance-like percussion language. His hypnotic live performances have reached stages including the Berlin Philharmonie, Paris Pantheon, and Sydney Opera House, while his rhythmic innovations have drawn acclaim across the experimental and electronic worlds, leading to collaborations with Burnt Friedman and Mark Fell.