“Sanlıkol avoids every world music cliché on Turkish Hipster, delving into microtones and rhythmic-harmonic dynamics.” – David Luhrssen, Shepherd Express
“[Sanlıkol] seems almost chameleon like – part esoteric and scholarly, and partly earthy and passionately grounded….Turkish Hipster merits much consideration as one of this year’s top large ensemble projects.” – Jim Hynes, Making a Scene
This album took about two years to complete with 7 different recording sessions and countless hours of post-production. It’s an important musical statement that is inclusive of non-jazz audiences with Brazilian and Turkish folk/rock influences while including a number of complex compositions with musical innovations (such as all American trumpets & saxes playing precise Turkish microtones for the first time). I believe that the kind of cosmopolitanism found in this album presents many musical worlds without seeking to reduce or standardize them. - Mehmet Sanlikol
All music composed and arranged by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol (Mehteran publishing, ASCAP) except “Estarabim” composed by Erkin Koray and arranged by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol.
Produced by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol and Kabir Sehgal
This album has been made possible with the support of Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the New England Conservatory Faculty Professional Development Grant.
