Customer Reviews

Ozlem

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Having owned Turku's first two albums, the surprising Alleys of Istanbul and the, well, rockin' Nomads of the Silk Road, I wondered if their third album would match my expectations. Turku, which hail from South Carolina, play traditionial Turkish instruments (various saz fiddles, tar and ud lutes, violin, and frame and hourglass drums). While the second recordings were more afield in musics of the Anatolian and Caspian areas, the musicians here focus, with one expection, on regions within Turkey. The distinctions of the folk tunes from Istabul, Afyon, Mugla, and Aegean locales provide interest. These are mainly dance pieces, beautifully performed, from stately to spritely in tempo. Some tunes are strangely familiar, for the Ottomans have had musical infuence throughout the Near East and even into Western Europe. Although I still regard Turku's second album as the best of the three, Özlem is still very fine. Listening to it, we can imagine ourselves visiting the various villages and joining in the dances.

I don't know a great deal about Turkish music "but I know what I like." This pulsating collection of classic tunes from the country that is a bridge between Europe and Asia will have anyone shaking their hips.

For those of you "in the know", Turku has set standards for other bands to follow. I have personally heard other Middle Eastern/Turkish bands perform some of the same songs, and have yet come close to the sound of Turku. Knowing these guys personally, I'm a bit partial, and being a drummer, I'm a big follower. Alleys, Nomads and Ozlem are essential for any library for those following this type of music, and if you're a dancer or a musician, they're a must-have!

If you want to start off with one first, I highly recommend "Alleys of Istanbul"... it's a good mix of dancable and listening music. With Ted on Saz, Farzad on Violin, Daveed on drums, Denys on kaval and cumbus and Carla on davul and zills, their music has multiple layers and are tight, on cue and in tune. Learn more about the band at:[..]

Buy it today, you won't be disappointed!