DivanOrient ExpressionsOrient Expressions is a collaboration between Can Utkan aka Dj Yakuza (general conjurer, switchman, texturizer), Cem Yildiz (melodizer and troubadour of the dawn of a new tradition, string cartographer, voracious studio-take consumer and sphepard of the endless solo), and Richard Hamer ( woodwindsbellow, melodic/harmonic, contour keeper and nuts and bolts operator), with complementary services of their sound engineer Murat Uncuoglu (sound polisher, beat-approver-chooser, chocolate-powered keeper of the sound).
The music Orient Expressions perform is partly composed, partly remixed music with a groove, using traditional Turkish music elements and instruments (oud, baglama, cumbush, sazbus, and santur, and some other percussion instruments) and singing (6 guest vocalists appear), and with a groovy jazz touch on “Istanbul” with a sax solo by Richard Hamer, or soul pop (on "S.O.S.").
The music is a good example of sophisticatedly mixed stereo-DJ groove music with a Turkish fundament, a modern groove beats reorientation of some Turkish folk music experiences (4 traditionals are used) and a certain reconsideration of how the approach to Arabesque pop usually was orientated. In general, this a very good Oriental groove release for listening & perhaps dance or better lounge pleasure. However the most successful, representative tracks are put ever more forward. The last two tracks are a bit more mainstream. By the last real track, "Taking Live", a pop song, this is a bit disapointing to me, because it does fit less into the rest of the concept. But this doesn't keep me from saying I'm sure this will appeal well to lovers of Turkish grooves. |
