Mehmet Polat and Embracing Colours – Quantum Leap (Aftab Records, 2019)
Ud virtuoso and composer Mehmet Polat presents a new band and direction on his latest album, Quantum Leap. The Embracing Colours ensemble represents a jazzier side of his modal compositions. Although Polat spent recent years inspired by the fertile musical traditions of the Middle East, Africa, India, Europe and the Balkans, this new venture explores focuses on jazz.
Mehmet Polat describes the musicians in his new band: “Joan Terol Amigo is a genius on drums, Hendrik Muller is a master of grooves on bass and Bart Lelivelt is a brilliant accordion player. The ud is a traditional instrument played in all Arabic countries, West Asia and Eastern Europe, and can be a great connector of cultures.”
Throughout Quantum Leap, the masterful ud dances around the admirable accordion and bass, interweaving tasteful jazz, Balkan, Anatolian and Flamenco elements.
Embracing Colours includes Mehmet Polat on ud, Joan Terol Amigo on drums, Hendrik Muller on bass and Bart Lelivelt on accordion.
Guest musicians: Cigdem Okuyucu on vocals (track 4), Eric Vloeimans on trumpet; Imamyar Hasanov on kamancha; and and Michalis Kouloumis on violin.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.