Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial

Axiom Of Choice, Mamak Khadem | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: X Dot 25
• ASIN: B000005J9O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,388 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #39 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Iran

Editorial Reviews

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blown Away!, September 3, 2000

By 

Melissa H. (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial (Audio CD)

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!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Persian-American music, September 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial (Audio CD)

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).

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhilirating, September 1, 2000

By 

Sia Samimi (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial (Audio CD)

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!)