Track Listing

1. Valeh
2. Pulse
3. Rhythm Riddle
4. Kaef
5. Desert Storm
6. Whisper
7. Panj
8. Kashmir
9. Moon Light

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #149391 in Music
• Released on: 1996-06-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

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.

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.

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.

CMJ Magazine 1997
Not restricted to the boundaries of tradition, unique and dynamic artistic vision. Strong new sound, rich vocal textures, excellent musicianship

Customer Reviews

Blown Away!
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!

Beautiful Persian-American music
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).

Exhilirating
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!)