A Gentleman Of Istanbul
Crier, 2023
9/10
Listen to A Gentleman Of Istanbul
A very involved listen that brings the composer and multi-instrumentalist Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol to work commissioned by the Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra A Far Cry, the 4 meticulous pieces here welcome Turkish traditional, western classical, and jazz sounds.
“The Clocks And Bells Of Vienna” opens the listen with the dynamic and intricate strings making for much warmth, as the well timed oud from Sanlikol and light percussive moments complement the mood, and “The Death Of Kaya Sultan”, a jazz ballad, flows with Sanlikol’s graceful piano prowess amid the dreamy string interaction.
On the back half, the intimate “The Vegetarian Dervishes” uses George Lernis’ drumming and Sanlilokol’s mesmerizing oud to help make this the album’s best, while “Alexander The Great” exits with a bit of ominousness to the tense, evolving song craft that illustrates Sanlikol’s expressive singing in often cinematic swells of energetic blasts.
A body of work that follows the 17th-century Ottoman world traveler, Evliya Çelebi, and touches on the identity of this Muslim adventurer while celebrating the rich history and cultural diversity within Islam, A Far Cry and Sanlikol make for an enlightening, multi-cultural experience that will be appreciated worldwide.
Travels well with: Duo Della Luna- Mangetsu; Timuçin Şahin’s Flow State- Funk Poems For ‘Bird’