Here's one of our top picks for the 2000 season -- it's difficult to convey the elegant and delicate beauty of this unusual recording in words, so dial up or download the sound samples! This primarily acoustic ensemble creates cutting-edge Persian cross-over music, with rich instrumentation, emotive vocals, and an array of world percussion -- stylized, poignant and contemplative. The Iran-born, US-residing duo of vocalist Mamak Khadem and guitarist Loga Ramin Torkian are at the group's heart. At a time when female vocalists have a limited scope in Iran, Mamak is one of the few women who, while preserving the tradition, have dared to explore further. Loga's innovative quarter-tone guitar, retooled with moveable frets and sympathetic strings allows him to play Middle Eastern scales and create new ornamentation. (Anyone out there remember Peter Walker's Rainy Day Raga, from late 60's WBAI-FM??) Together they composed and arranged most selections, ranging from evocative and spiritual to upbeat, based on Persian classical melodies and modes but incorporating sounds from India, Europe and

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