Burhan Ocal is Incredible!
03/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just saw this band play at UCLA and bought the album and I am blown away. Ocal did a darabuka solo (a finger drum) that made my (and everyone else's) jaw drop. I've seen Zakir Hussain and am not a fan of "drum solos" if you will. But never did I see such a musical display from a mere percussion instrument. One minute it was polyrhythmic genius, then next drum n bass thumpin grooves. The rest of the band are these charming dudes who look fresh off the boat. They loved the audience response (which was near hysteria). Superb musicians...every one of them.This CD is great and captures a lot of the juice that this band emanate on stage. It's fun music - lively, groovy and yet set in the weirdest time signatures (it's fun to try counting). I'm not a big world music guy, and I didn't know what I was going to see - but I am sold now. This is better than klezmer and Ocal is a showman thru and thru, both live and on disc!"
Captivating!
D. Klevorn | San Antonio, TX | 03/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Absolutely beautiful! Play this one along with "Alley's of Istanbul" at your next Turkish dinner party. Appeals to old music lovers from both orient and occident!"