While the core sound of Axiom of Choice was based on the quarter-tone guitar, traditional Persian vocals, and various native percussion instruments, Axiom of Choice always welcomed musicians with different musical and national backgrounds. Their sound was delicately balanced by the usage of many Persian instruments such as the kamancheh (spike fiddle), setar (Persian lute), daf (frame drum), tombak (the Persian goblet-shaped drum) and ney (cane flute), as well as cello, accordion, harmonium, tampura and many other percussion instruments. Axiom of Choice incorporated the sounds of other cultures – broadening the scope and appeal of their music – while remaining loyal to their roots and retaining the originality, distinctiveness and integrity of their sound. As such, their music combines some of the best and most original elements of Persian, eastern, and western music.
The musical director of the ensemble was Loga Ramin Torkian. His original compositions were based on Persian classical melodies and modes. The musicians worked within a unique compositional structure in which both improvisation and personal expression can freely take place. Loga’s innovative quarter-tone guitar retooled with movable frets and sympathetic strings also sets him apart as a guitarist, allowing him to play Middle Eastern scales and create new ornamentation on the guitar. The other core member of the ensemble was vocalist Mamak Mhadem who is trained in the classical-Persian style, which is by nature, poignant. She weaved emotive textures ranging from bliss to pain, which give a mystical and nostalgic bent to the music. In a time when female vocalists have a limited scope in Iran, Mamak Khadem is one of the few women who, while preserving the tradition, has dared to explore further.
The album Niya Yesh was recorded in Iran, India and the United States and extended Axiom of Choice’s collaboration with other musicians beyond their immediate surrounding. Inspired by the city of Pushkar in India, Loga Ramin Torkian collected live recordings of Pushkar musicians and environmental sounds during his regular visits to India and used them to establish a theme for their new work. As soon as the compositions were finished, the vocalist of the group, Mamak Khadem, recruited some of the best musicians of traditional Persian music, and virtuoso setar player, Mas’oud Sho’ari, and recorded them during her visit to Iran.
The remainder of the album was recorded in Los Angeles and combined the talents of Greg Ellis (Vas) with his unique percussion style, cellists Martin Tillman and Cameron Stone, vocalist David Stringer, foremost kamancheh player Saied Farajpouri, and the renowned U.S.-based Persian percussionist Pejman Hadadi. While the inspiration for this album comes from the city of Pushkar, the music remained however firmly rooted in Persian music.
Discography
Beyond Denial (Faray-e Enkaar) (X Dot 25, 1996)
Niya Yesh (Narada World, 2000)
Unfolding (Goshayesh) (Narada World, 2002)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
