Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial

Lloyd Barde, Backroads - Heartbeats 1999
The free-flowing style fits with the groups of similar nature like Dead Can Dance, Vas, Stellamara carving new World terrain.

Product Description
The principal members of this talented 7-member band are all well-versed in classical Persian music, and though the melodies and rhythms of Radif - the Persian classical repertoire - saturate their brooding, deeply moving disc, they are by no means slaves to tradition. Call it experimental Near Eastern art music, infused with overtones of Sufism, not to mention ripping percussion. Leader/guitarist Ramin Torkian plays a nylon-stringed classical guitar, retooled with movable frets, so he can approximate the untempered intervals of Persian music. The effect is utterly beautiful, as is the voice of Mamak Khadem, which rings out through the album like a crystalline bell of despair and pain. On the opening track, "Valeh," she's multitracked over Torkian's descending arpeggios, her "voices" hovering and quivering like unquiet souls suddenly released from this troubled plane.

Beyond Denial is a chronicle of armed conflict in both the inner and outer worlds. It's heavy stuff, though the group does lighten it up a bit on "Rhythm Riddle," a sort of Brazilian Jazz meets Eastern classical romp. Again, Mamak Khadem's voice shines here like a rare, precious stone.

Instrumentation: Female Vocals, Quarter Tone Guitar, Nylon String Guitar, Tar, Tarbass, Daf, Tombak, Nagada, Bass, Drums.

Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial

Tracks:

Valeh
Desert Storm
Kaef
Pulse
Rhythm Riddle
Whisper
Panj
Kashmir
Moon Light

Album Description

The principal members of this talented 7-member band are all well-versed in classical Persian music, and though the melodies and rhythms of Radif - the Persian classical repertoire - saturate their brooding, deeply moving disc, they are by no means slaves to tradition. Call it experimental Near Eastern art music, infused with overtones of Sufism, not to mention ripping percussion. Leader/guitarist Ramin Torkian plays a nylon-stringed classical guitar, retooled with movable frets, so he can approximate the untempered intervals of Persian music. The effect is utterly beautiful, as is the voice of Mamak Khadem, which rings out through the album like a crystalline bell of despair and pain. On the opening track, "Valeh," she's multitracked over Torkian's descending arpeggios, her "voices" hovering and quivering like unquiet souls suddenly released from this troubled plane.

Instrumentation: Female Vocals, Quarter Tone Guitar, Nylon String Guitar, Tar, Tarbass, Daf, Tombak, Nagada, Bass, Drums.

Customer Reviews:

Truly Heavenly Music.......2001-12-07

A great band with great talent! Truly exceptional musicians who were brave enough to experiment outside the realms of Persian traditional classical music and bring the beautiful music, poetry and true spirit of Iran to the world! Afarin!

Powerful stuff!.......2000-11-11

This is a very powerful work, especially pieces such as "Desert Storm" and "Whisper". Beautiful music overall. A very interesting group to watch. Their approach is very innovative.

Blown Away!.......2000-09-04

I was totally blown away by both the recordings (Niya Yesh and Beyond Denial) of Axiom of Choice. This is one of the most original bands to appear on the world music scene. It is rare to find such a respectful balance between the music of the East and the West. I just wish I could see them live in concert. Both albums are highly evocative and well crafted and works of great power. What is interesting, is that while you can immediately recognize the unmistakable sound of the band, the two works differ from one another. For me, Niya Yesh has more peace in it, and Beyond Denial, a certain turmoil, but both are equally compelling and works of great senstivity. Truly, they are a one of a kind band!

Exhilirating.......2000-09-01

As a Persian guitarist who regularly plays Persian/Latin and percussive compositions, I stumbled into this CD yesterday by mere accident. Having now listened to it twice, I am delighted to hear yet another great sample of the marriage between the musical gems of the East and West. I had to have my own copy! (Being a computer science instructor, loved Axioms of Choice too!)

Beautiful Persian-American music.......1999-09-10

Axiom of Choice plays beautiful modern music based on Persian classical music. Note: the music is Persian (Iranian), not Parisian (as a previous reviewer had written).

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