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Şatellites

Aylar

    Şatellites blast back into orbit on 'Aylar' delivering a bold evolution on the psychedelic folk-meets-groove sound they established on their acclaimed debut album.

    Heavily influenced by the wave of psychedelic rock fused with traditional folk music that swept across Turkey in the 60s and 70s, Şatellites’ self-titled debut album received international acclaim. The record earned support from outlets such BBC Radio 6 Music and FIP in France, and were invited to record live sets for both Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM, and KEXP in Seattle.

    After two years of touring, this cohesive and reinvigorated lineup entered the studio with renewed purpose and closer musical bonds. 'Aylar' (Turkish for “moons” or “months”) showcases more ambitious arrangements, extended compositions, intricate harmonies, and unexpected twists, reflecting the band’s commitment to innovation and their passion for the original wave of Turkish psychedelic music.

    The album opener, 'Tisladi Mehmet Emmi' serves as a gateway to their expanded sound. This reimagining of a traditional Türkülern - a Turkish folk song by the prolific saz-playing singer-poet Aşık Ali Doğan - transforms it into a modern psychedelic funk masterpiece. Kluger’s saz and Mishali’s synths intertwine seamlessly, underpinned by Ariel Harrosh’s infectious basslines and Yaish’s dramatic drumming, all culminating in Rotem’s husky, emotive vocals. Lyrically, the track narrates two elderly men lamenting the state of the world—a timeless theme.

    One of the album’s standout surprises, 'Midnight Sweat' reveals a darker, sultry side of the band. Rotem delivers a steamy late-night lullaby over a slinky disco-rock groove. Developed collaboratively, the track began as a sketch by bassist Ariel Harrosh, before Itamar added a melody and Rotem crafted lyrics in Turkish. The song tells a passionate love story, punctuated with sensual imagery.

    'Hot Jazz' ventures into cinematic territory, as the band flexes their jazz and funk chops. The hard-hitting groove is destined to energise breakdancers. The bağlama and flute riffs, steeped in minor scales and modal nuances, infuse the track with a distinctive Middle Eastern character.

    Elsewhere,' Aylar' delivers genre-bending highlights such as 'Gizli Ajan', which opens with a percussive intro reminiscent of the Incredible Bongo Band’s 'Bongolia'. This instrumental jam has become a live favorite. 'Yok Yok' reinterprets an Erkin Koray classic with a prog-tinged punk-rock flair, transitioning through four distinct sections before concluding with a rousing 9/8 Zeybek rhythm.

    The album’s most ambitious cover is their cosmic folk-funk rendition of Hakki Bullut’s ballad 'Ikmiz Bir Fideniz' is followed by the original instrumental 'Beş Kardeş' ('Five Brothers'), a smoky, 5/4-time piece led by Itamar’s reverb-drenched bağlama.

    The album closes with a dynamic duo: 'Zülüf Dökülmüs Yüze' a cosmodelic disco-fuzz take on a classic Türküler by Neşet Ertaş, and 'Zülüf B (Reprised)', which deconstructs and reassembles the groove. Starting with a foreboding proto-metal pace, the track builds to a dramatic, high-tempo finale.

    If Şatellites’ self-titled debut laid the blueprint for their sound , 'Aylar' marks their transformation into a fully realised musical force.With this album, Şatellites step confidently out of the shadows of their Anatolian psych heroes to craft a modern yet timeless record, expanding their influences while deepening their connection to their roots.


    TRACK LISTING

    1. Tisladi Mehmet Emmi
    2. Gizli Ajan
    3. Midnight Sweat
    4. Bak Gör
    5. Yok Yok
    6. Hot Jazz
    7. Ikmiz Bir Fideniz
    8. Beş Kardeş
    9. Zülüf Dökülmüs Yüze
    10. Zülüf B (Reprised)

    Sababa 5 & Sophia Solomon

    Shehzadi / Ranjha

      Renowned for their instrumental releases that fuse traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern music with psychedelic rock, funk, and disco, Sababa 5 have also pushed boundaries in collaborations with vocalists such as Shiran Tzfira, Yurika Hanashima, and Inbal Nur Dekel. These efforts have won them support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Cerys Matthews, and Jeremy Sole, on BBC Radio 6 Music and KCRW. Now, the band joins forces with Sophia Solomon for their latest musical exploration.

      Born in Bengaluru, South India, and trained in Hindustani classical music in Mumbai, Sophia Solomon is a versatile, multilingual singer, recording artist, and live performer, drawing inspiration from Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle. A standout moment early in her career - a global tribute to Mahatma Gandhi - ignited her passion for bridging musical traditions across cultures.

      'Shehzadi' (Princess) is an Indo-disco delight. Solomon’s Hindi vocals soar effortlessly across Sababa 5’s finely balanced arrangement of hypnotic drums, pulsing electric bass, fanning electric guitar, and sparkling synths in a beguiling minor key. There’s a strong hint o 80s nostalgia with a contemporary shine, evoking a Stranger Things meets Bollywood charm.

      'Ranjha' (Lover) takes on a more Middle Eastern feel, with synth notes that undulate with longing and emotion, reminiscent of traditional instruments like the saz or baglama. The upbeat groove pairs seamlessly with Solomon’s dynamic, hope-filled vocals. Well-timed pauses add dramatic flair, while Sophia’s performance allows space for an exuberant synth solo.

      This exciting collaboration marks another bold turn for Sababa 5, infused with new life through Sophia Solomon’s artistry. 'Shehzadi' and 'Ranjha' represent a fruitful exchange of cross-cultural musical exploration, destined to be played on repeat far and wide.


      TRACK LISTING

      1. Shehzadi
      2. Ranjha 

      Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra

      Tension

        Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke joins the Hoodna Orchestra, Tel Aviv’s number one Afro funk collective, melding his enchanting vibraphone playing with their brass heavy force across seven original compositions that play tribute to the classic Mulatu sound while forging fresh paths. Produced by and featuring Dap-King Neal Sugarman, the results are gritty, yet majestic, soulful and uplifting.

        TRACK LISTING

        1. Tension
        2. Major
        3. Hatula
        4. Yashan
        5. Delilah
        6. Dung Gate

        Les Dynamites

        Uzi Kinrot / Sea Gull

          Comprising accomplished musicians Roy Bar-Tour, Atzmon Avrahami and Adam Yodfat, Les Dynamites built themselves a strong following for their fresh blend of Mediterranean and classic surf rock with Balkan and Yemini folk, catching the attention of Middle Eastern groove connoisseurs Batov Record. Their debut single for the label, “Pop Oud #2”, packed enough punch, and funk, for both psych fans and break dancers. Backed by a dubwise flip by digging pioneers Radio Trip, it received support from the likes of Juno, Monolith Cocktail and Worldwide FM.

          “Uzi Kinrot” takes its name from guitarists Uri Kinrot and Uzi Feinerman of Boom Pam, pioneers of today’s resurgence in Middle Eastern surf rock. Ray Bar-Tour riffs like a Klezmer-playing Dick Dale over a Balkan sousaphone bass lines and snappy drum rhythms. Towards the end, Yemen Yehudith adds a special touch of traditional wailing, raising the excitement by another notch.

          On “Sea Gull”, Les Dynamites pay tribute to Greek-Israeli guitarist and singer, Aris San, credited for being among the first to play the electric guitar like the six-stringed Greek bouzouki, and spreading the popularity of Greek and Mizrahi music. San’s joyful and infectious style is bulked out by some Ventures-style grit, rock drumming and the Vox Jaguar, sixties style hammond, ready to uplift any hot and liquor-soaked dancefloor. Recorded in single takes with minimal overdubs, “Sea Gull” packs a powerful punch, avoiding the pitfalls of overthinking and multi-track re-recording.

          Recorded, co-arranged, produced, mixed and mastered by Uri “MixMonster” Wertheim of famed funk band, The Apples, and obscure sample scientists, RadioTrip. On “Uzi Kinrot” and “Sea Gull”, the group pay tribute to the Mediterranean surf heroes who inspired them most. They continue from where the seventies funk leaning “Pop Oud #2” left off, going deeper, and reuniting the classic Mediterranean and American surf sounds with a fresh perspective, destined to earn themselves an even greater following.

          TRACK LISTING

          A1. Uzi Kinrot
          B1. Sea Gull

          Sababa 5

          Aspan

            Sababa 5 continues their musical journey following the success of their acclaimedself-titled debut album, which fused deep funk and Middle Eastern grooves. Their latest offering, still under the Batov Records label, ventures into more explorative and experimental instrumental compositions. While evolving their musical direction, 'Aspan' delves into the realm of psychedelic rock while retaining the essence of the band's signature Middle Eastern groove.

            In recent times, Sababa 5's talent has gained recognition on prominent French radio stations such as Radio Nova and FIP. Their tracks have become regular features on BBC Radio 6 Music, drawing the attention of notable figures and emerging talents like Gilles Peterson, Cerys Mathews, Jamz Supernova, Gideon Coe, and Deb Grant. Leading music publication "Songlines" has praised the band's "slick precision" and the captivating elements they infuse, ranging from "Moog synth licks" to "flavors reminiscent of Wes Montgomery-style guitar."

            The album opens with "Wembley," radiating a summery festival vibe. The track kicks off with a distinctive guitar riff that drew parallels to classic stadium rock, inspiring its name after London's iconic ninety-thousand-seat venue. The track evolves with prominent organ and bass riffs, culminating in a surprising addition of an electric saz—a recent Istanbul acquisition—imbuing a Turkish touch that echoes the Indian sitar's influence on 60s rock, notably bands like The Beatles.

            "Fa Sol La" follows suit, named simply after its bass-led melody. The lively drumbeat and catchy riffs exude an upbeat energy that's bound to induce joyous reactions from listeners. Around the two-thirds mark, a dreamy guitarinterlude elevates tension before easing into a shift towards a more progressive and rhythmic direction.

            The title track, "Aspan," takes its name from a nonexistent storm. The song impeccably showcases the band's cohesion, with guitar, bass, drums, and organ intricately locked into a mesmerizing groove. The origin of the title stems from a misinterpretation of an upcoming storm named Alpis that proved to be milder than anticipated. The name resonated, resulting in several tracks adopting storm-related titles.

            Concluding the album is "Indra," a laidbackcomposition that stands as its most serene offering. This track's fusion of psychedelic folk rock is poised to capture the hearts of many, serving as a poignant postscript to the bittersweet conclusion of summer—a narrative of love discovered and lost.

            The expansive and captivating soundscape of 'Aspan' is set to attract a fresh wave of fans while fortifying the group's mastery of substantial grooves with a distinct Middle Eastern essence. With appearances already on European festival stages, the year 2024 holds great promise for Sababa 5, marking a significant chapter in the band's journey.

            TRACK LISTING

            1. Wembley
            2. Tri Li Li
            3. Fa Sol La
            4. Carmel
            5. Aspan
            6. Aeolus
            7. Barbara
            8. Alpis
            9. Indra


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