Araz Salek - Peripheries of Nahavand (2025) [Hi-Res]

Araz Salek’s new album Peripheries of Nahavand is a richly textured exploration of modal music that bridges Iranian, Turkish, and Arabic traditions. Though trained in Iranian dastgāh music, the Tehran-born tar player expands his sonic palette to include makam influences, inspired by a lifelong memory of hearing makam Nahavand as a teenager.

The six compositions on the album are graceful and deeply expressive, featuring contributions from renowned musicians like Pedram Khavarzamini (tombak), Efrén López (producer/multi-instrumentalist), and guests including Derya Türkan (kemençe) and Houshmand Ebadi (ney). Salek's evolving concept of "transmodality"—a blending of modal systems across cultures—shapes the album’s unique sound.

Influenced by his time with the Labyrinth Musical Workshop and Ross Daly, Salek’s work reflects both deep tradition and bold experimentation. Peripheries of Nahavand is a masterful, emotional album destined to become one of 2025’s standout releases in contemporary modal music.



Tracklist:
1 Goshâyesh 11 & 15
2 Âvâz
3 Âshenâ
4 Chahârmezrâb & Adjem nahâvand
5 Ghazal
6 Reng