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CD Review
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rootsworld.com, CD Review >>
Azam Ali
Elysium for the Brave
Six Degrees Records (www.sixdegreesrecords.com)
Azam Ali has one of those voices that words like
"exotic," "hypnotic," "mesmerizing" and "sensual"
could go a fair distance toward describing. She
was born in Tehran, lives in Los Angeles and has
collaborated with an array of artists in addition
to having her voice heard on numerous movie and
television soundtracks. Perhaps best known as
half of the duo Vas alongside percussionist Greg
Ellis and the voice of Niyaz, an outfit blending
Persian Sufi mysticism and modern sounds, Ali has
also released a previous solo album, 2002's
Portals of Grace. Throughout it all she's shown
an otherworldly knack for singing in multiple
languages (including some of her own invention)
that turns those aforementioned descriptive words
into mere surface-scratchers.
Elysium for the Brave (the title refers to the
belief that there's an eternal reward for those
who persevere), is the second release under her
own name. Musically, it takes the same
ancient/modern approach as Ali's work with Niyaz.
Lyrically, it's the first time she's written and
sung predominantly in English. The general feel
is mainly reflective of Ali's Persian roots, with
most of the tracks settling quickly into a
characteristic rhythmic pulse that thankfully
doesn't meander much. An exception is "The
Tryst," a suitably airy interlude in which Ali's
trembling, silken tones seem to dissect every
word and phrase. Otherwise, tracks like "Endless
Reverie" and "I am a Stranger in This World" give
the endlessly captivating vocals a swaying,
undulating groove in which to radiate, employing
not only programming and synthesizers but the
warmth of acoustic instruments as well.
Two songs feature words "created" by Ali, which
is to say she is once again displaying her way of
connecting emotionally through languages of her
own concocting. It's an effectively recurring
trademark of Ali's, but the English vocals are
likewise enveloped in beauty that's alternately
mighty and fragile. An album of numerous virtues,
Elysium for the Brave works so well primarily
because everyone involved with it seems to
understand that the voice of Azam Ali doesn't
need excessive techno juice to work magic. Modern
though it may be, it's underlying foundations of
voice and rhythm are what really make it essential
listening.
- Tom Orr 10/01/06
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