Axiom of Choice brings together the sounds of many cultures, broadening the appeal to a wideranging audience while remaining loyal to their Persian roots and retaining the originality and distinctiveness of their sound.

 

NIYA YESH, their second album, means gnosis in Greek - a direct spiritual communication and knowledge. The music was inspired by the city of Pushkar, India. Loga Ramin Torkian, the music director for Axiom of Choice, traveled to Pushkar to collect live recordings of musicians and environmental sounds, using them to establish the theme for the new album. The remainder was recorded in Los Angeles, combining the talents of percussionist Greg Ellis (Vas), cellists Martin Tillman and Cameron Stone, vocalist David Stringer, leading kamancheh player Saied Farajipouri and the renowned Persian percussionist Pejman Hadadi.

"Rich vocal textures, excellent musicianship and an open heart...Axiom of Choice well may move into the front ranks of world music."
-CMJ

"Near Eastern art music...deeply moving...utterly beautiful...Mamak Khadem's voice shines like a precious stone."
-Rhythm