Mosaic of Anatolia by Turquoise Turquoise

02 Jun

Written by Lee Prosser
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If nothing else, Turquoise has an interesting line up. Bandleader, percussionist, and primary composer Atilla Engin is an acclaimed performer, leader, and songwriter who has played extensively in both Denmark and Turkey. His history includes work with players such as Zakir Hussein, Trilok Gurtu and Ed Thigpen. Gilad is a percussionist best known for his current work with Al Di Meola. Frank Colon, another percussionist, hails from Puerto and has logged time with Gato Barbieri and Wayne Shorter as well as Mary J. Blige and George Clinton. Bassist Stephen Crump has worked with the Tommy Dorsey Band in the past. Saxophonist Dan Jordan’s resume includes playing with Maynard Ferguson, Charlie Haden and Elvin Jones. To top it off, guitarist Ray Ippolito and Adam Klipple have played around the world.

Of course an interesting personal list does not necessarily make for a good, or even interesting, recording and so it is nice to note that Turquoise has created something worth listening to. If the term "world music" is to have any meaning then it must cover discs like Mosaic of Anatolia. This isn’t merely the duplication of indigenous sounds found in some non-Western part of the world -unfortunately such is often the definition of world music- but rather a combination of African, Anatolian and jazz influences. The Anatolian -which is to say Turkish- influences are the strongest but nobody familiar with jazz will be unfamiliar with this work either. Especially strong is the percussion work on "Gotke Yildiz Ay misin?" and Jordan’s saxophone wailing on "Leyla." At times the disc does sound a bit over produced and descends far too much into the realm of smooth jazz/pop for my tastes but on the whole this is an enjoyable recording featuring a great deal of creativity.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Turquoise Turquoise
CD Title: Mosaic of Anatolia
Genre: World Music
Year Released: 2000
Record Label: Istanbul Records
Musicians: Atilla Engin (Djembe, drum set, bongo, talking drum, voice, hand clap, electric piano, cymbals), Gilad (percussion, congas, Djembe, Berimbau, Caxixi, Sabar, Darbuka, Shakers, triangle, Riqq), Frank Colon (talking drum, bongos, congas, Bata), Stephan Crump: electric and acoustic basses), Ray Ippolito (guitar, synth guitar), Hale Birgül (vocals), Adam Klipple (keyboard), John Kruth (African bamboo flute, kaval, mouth harmonica, zurna), Dan Jordan (tenor and alto saxes, flute)
Label Website: -
Rating: Five Stars