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Niyaz [Digipak]

Niyaz
1 disc

1. Ghazal
2. Nahan (The Hidden)
3. Allahi Allah
4. Hunt, The
5. Dunya
6. In the Shadow of Life
7. Arezou
8. Golzar
9. Dilruba
10. Minara
Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 361110
Credits

Producer Azam Ali; Loga Ramin Torkian; Carmen Rizzo; Niyaz
Engineer Loga Ramin Torkian; Carmen Rizzo; Loga Ramin Torkian; Carmen Rizzo
Composer: Azam Ali.
Niyaz: Azam Ali (zills, rik); Loga Ramin Torkian, Carmen Rizzo.
Personnel: Azam Ali (vocals, hammer dulcimer, frame drum); Loga Ramin Torkian (guitar, electric guitar, saz, viol); Carmen Rizzo (keyboards, synthesizer, drums, programming); Jamie Muhoberac (synthesizer); Satnam Ramgotra (tabla); Arach Khalatbari (tombak).
Additional personnel: Arash Khalatbari (vocals, daf, darabukka, tombak); Tony Levin (bass guitar); Andre Haroutunian (darabukka); Jamie Muhoberac, Satnam Ramgotra.
Audio Mixers: Azam Ali; Carmen Rizzo.
Audio Remixer: Carmen Rizzo.
Recording information: Nandi Sound, Los Angeles, CA; Suite 775, Hollywood, CA.
Photographers: Olaf Heine; Dorothy Low.
Translator: Azam Ali.
Arrangers: Azam Ali; Loga Ramin Torkian; Carmen Rizzo.
Vocalist Azam Ali and multi-instrumentalist Loga Ramin Torkian (known for their work with the group Axiom of Choice) and remix producer Carmen Rizzo are the brains behind this visionary world music ensemble. With the assistance of other studio musicians, this self-titled release fuses ancient Middle Eastern musical styles--most notably Persian--with cutting edge electronic sounds.
For example, "In the Shadow of Life" mixes an Iranian melody with droning synthesizers. While this is an ethereal piece, most of the music on NIYAZ avoids spacey sounds and rubato (or open) time. Instead, these compositions are highly rhythmical. For example, "Allahi Allah" sees Ali singing a traditional Persian melody, under which pulses an intoxicating groove (played on a variety of Middle Eastern percussion instruments). Other tracks such as "Dilruba" and "Minara" continue along a similar vein. However, on the former, the electronics become the focus. This selection even contains a strong dance beat. The lyrical content of this album is derived from the ancient devotional poetry of the Sufi. Set against loops and other electronic effects, this music spans the centuries with every measure.