FENOMEN

This is a prolific album, rich of variety, worked out by a band named FENOMEN - completely new to me. They are from Istanbul and every member is wellknown right there when it comes to the Turkish jazz music scene. Thus variety also means that some die-hard prog purists may put a veto here and there - for me though it doesn't matter a bit. All ten songs, which were selected for their debut, are clocking between five and seven minutes, have much to offer. Pleasant to listen - you bet! I'm quite sure Ismail Soyberk - constantly juggling between fretless and regular bass - keeps things in hand in some way here. If needed he cares for the funky drive together with Bülent Ay, whose drum work is worth listening too.

As for the interplay they are acting like a longtime collective. Vocals are rarely placed - so much the more they make use of diverse wind instruments generously. So when trying to underscore some quintessential examples, probably Forever should be mentioned - a composition blending fine jazz pop, in the vein of Incognito maybe, as well as jazz rock which meets prog standards. What strikes is Levent Altindag's flute ... and Mert Topel adds a lively synth solo in between when the whole bands enters into a funky passage.

Now the tricky fusion track Indigo is my album highlight, simply fantastic! Reminding me of the early Return To Forever in some way, dynamic and groovy provided with several twists and turns. Irresistible - guitarist Baris Bölükbasi acts on the same level with the likes of Allan Holdsworth or John McLaughlin. And the melancholic A Sea View From Datça has a lot to offer - acoustic guitar with Mahavishnu Orchestra reminiscences, interesting vocals and string ensemble additions plus native impressions coming from Turkish drums and duduk.

Finally just let me say that FENOMENS's debut is a really entertaining piece of work, provided with a surprising bandwith and nice melodies, technically flawless on top of it. Well, with that said, I come to a rare conclusion: ideally suited to bring jazz/funk/soul fans closer to progressive jazz rock/fusion. Should be part of a prog fan's well sorted music collection. This CD entered my player most of all during the last weeks ... deep respect!

3.5 stars. FENOMEN are a four piece Jazz band out of Turkey who released this album back in 2006. They have since become a five piece and released another studio album in 2018 called "Bridges". When I think of this nation musically I will always think of SIDDHARTHA and that classic 1998 release that I consider myself very fortunate to own. Got it before that band was on this site. Turkey isn't exactly a land of freedom and when your government's best friends are Russia and Iran well I'm thankful I live nowhere near there. So no there's not a lot of bands listed on this site from Turkey and the majority of those who are are Psychedelic bands. A couple of other bands I'm big on from Turkey are GEVENDE and NEMRUD. Jazz seems to be rare from that country and these guys have a following there because of that and they are excellent musicians too. There's up to 14 guests on here adding lots of horns, strings plus classical guitar, vocals and more.

I really feel that this album is front loaded big time with the first four tracks being my favourites and feeling like it goes downhill(when it comes to my tastes) after that. So impressed with that rhythm section and heaviness early on before the guest horns and strings arrive. Yes I'm thinking easily 4 stars after those 4 songs but then things change style-wise and with all the guests on here suddenly becoming more prominent. There are a couple of ethnic instruments used on "A Sea View From Datca" but other than that you wouldn't know they were from this area of the World. Again though those first four tracks are so impressive with the power on display especially from the rhythm section but the guitar certainly lights up the proceedings before being more in that Jazz style later.

Most seem to love this album so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.