NiyazCountry of origin:Canada, Iran, U.S. Type of music generally:Electronica, traditional/trad-based world music Status:Most recent release, The Fourth Light (2015) See also:Niyaz's site Comparisons:Axiom of Choice, various Azam Ali projects Covers/own material:Own, some based on traditionals General comments:Niyaz began as a trio of Azam Ali, Axiom of Choice's multi-instrumentalist Loga Ramin Torkian, and producer/remixer Carmen Rizzo; Rizzo left the group in 2013. The band's music has been described as "seamlessly blending medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from their native Iran and its surrounding countries in the Persian Gulf, with rich acoustic instrumentation and state-of-the-art modern electronics." (JoAnn Whetsell) Comments about live performance:I got to bring Niyaz to Albuquerque last week! They were stunning. Don't miss them if you get the chance. Azam Ali's voice is so beautiful, and the whole band sounds great. (9/13/05, neal) Recommended first album:Niyaz if you want something more down-tempo; Sumud if you want something a bit faster. (JoAnn Whetsell) Recordings:
NiyazRelease info:2005—Six Degrees—657036 111028 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Comments:Featuring Azam Ali (from Vas and her solo outings) and Loga (from Iranian folk-rock band Axiom of Choice), Niyaz takes classical Persian poetry and sets it to a trippy 6 Degrees electronica groove. (neal) Nine HeavensRelease info:2008—Six Degrees—657036 115026 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Azam Ali Guest artists:Omer Avci—aski davul (dahol), bendir, darbuka, zilli def Produced by:Azam Ali, Loga Ramin Torkian, Carmen Rizzo Comments:The first disc builds on their debut, more pulsating and dance-y. The second disc has acoustic versions of eight of the album's nine songs. I may like it even better than the main album! (JoAnn Whetsell) SumudRelease info:2012—Six Degrees—65703611872 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Azam Ali—voice, santour, percussion Guest artists:Ulas Ozdemir—saz, voice Produced by:Azam Ali, Loga Ramin Torkian and Carmen Rizzo Comments:It's hard to explain how this album differs from its predecessors since many of the ingredients are the same, but it feels like a bright leap forward. I love it! (JoAnn Whetsell) The Fourth LightRelease info:2015—Six Degrees—65703612222 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Comments:Another great album from this band. (JoAnn Whetsell) Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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