NIYA YESH AXIOM OF CHOICE Narada World reviewed by David C. Roper Inspired by the textures of the Indian city of Pushkar, this beautiful, lyrical disc follows the increasingly common model of genuine "world" music. Firmly rooted in traditional Persian music, the musicians of Axiom of Choice became global citizens after the revolution drove them from their home in Iran in the late 1970s. Recently, vocalist Mamak Khadem and composer Loga Ramin Torkian have begun to return to Iran to record sessions with musicians whose skills on traditional Persian instruments are not always easy to replicate in the West. Their collaboration here yields Niya Yesh, a beautiful collection notable for the absence of electronic musical influences. Almost entirely acoustic, our album of the month showcases the lush, warm tones of the traditional Persian ney (cane flute), as well as the setar, and several types of drums. The quarter-tone guitar provides a lilting rhythm line on many of the numbers. Mamak Khadem's gorgeous vocals flesh out the sound without drowning out the lovely instrumental feast. While the tone of the music is not quite meditative, the emotional quality is serene and subtle. The musicians paint in soft, green hues, with Khadem's vocals offering occasional spikes of bright yellow and subdued, hearty reds. Traces of blue can scarcely be found; the music is more soothing and contemplative than cathartic. This music is not overpowering; it's delicate and attractive, and blends well with fragrant incense and soft candlelight.