Fahir Atakoglu If CD

Fahir Atakoglu is considered one of the top up-and-coming jazz pianists from Turkey and Europe. The music on If, which is comprised of a dozen of his originals, is not particularly Turkish and, due to the participation of drummer Horacio Hernández, is often more Latin in flavor than European. Atakoglu is a harmonically sophisticated pianist playing straight-ahead jazz in his own modern way. At this point in time, his solos are more memorable than his compositions, but there is a great deal of potential shown throughout this worthy release. Saxophonist Donny McCaslin makes two guest appearances on what is otherwise a trio outing. ~ Scott Yanow

Liner Note Author: Arif Mardin.

Recording information: Bennett Studios, NJ (10/12/2004/10/13/2004).

Author: Louis Armstrong.

Photographer: Jack Frisch.

THE ARTISTS:FAHIR ATAKOGLUBorn in Istanbul, Turkey, Fahir Atakoglu is an acclaimed composer and pianist.He is now finding a growing audience in Europe, Japan and in North America as well. His sensitivity as a composer deeply moves the audience by his unique rhythmic, melodic and harmonic sense.His music reflects his extraordinary talent in blending different musical cultures, which make his compositions speak with striking originality, and always wonderfully connected to the culture of his motherland.Ahmet Ertegun, of Atlantic Records, referred to Fahir Atakoglu as"...one of the outstanding pianists and composers in Europe today.... at the cutting edge of the world music."http://www.fahiratakoglu.comHORACIO EL NEGRO HERNANDEZBorn in Havana, Cuba, 'El Negro' Hernandez is the most talented and innovative percussionist in the world. He was awarded his first Grammy in 1997 with Roy Hargrove's "Crisol" Whether performing with jazz-legends like McCoy Tyner, Michel Camilo, Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, or rock-stars like Carlos Santana and Stevie Winwood or in notable Latin American ensembles like the Tropi-Jazz All Stars of the late Tito Puente, as well as with Kip Hanrahan ("Deep Rumba") 'El Negro' has always shown himself to be the most versatile and unique drummer in the international music scene today. He won another Grammy in 2004 with Michel Camilo for the album "Live in Blue Note"." He writes music Textbooks and made many musical performance videos and also conducts clinics and is a faculty member at the Berklee School of Music.In 2004 Horacio released his first solo album "Italuba". http://www.elnegro.com ANTHONY JACKSONBorn in New York City, Bassist Anthony Jackson is the master of his instrument whose discography spans many genres' of music. A couple of decades before five string basses became popular, he invented his own, the six string"Contrabass".He c-o wrote with Gamble & Huff, The O'Jays' million selling single For The Love Of Money' from their platinum album Ship Ahoy. Over the years, Jackson recorded and gave concerts with artists like Roberta Flack, BuddyRich, Michael Urbaniak, Al-Di Meola, Chick Corea, Leon Pendarvi, Paul Simon, Chaka Kahn (Naughty, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me) Stelly Dan (Gaucho-My Rival', Glamour Profession') and Donald Fagen (The Nightfly-I.G.Y What Beautiful World', Ruby Baby') Dave Crusin, Stanley Clarke and many many others. THE ALBUMS NOTES by Arif Mardin:The opening tune "If" boasts some fast and virtuosic playing. Fahir's harmonic sense together with the solid backing of bass and drums is what makes this number an apt opener to get things started."Two Ways" alternates beautifully between introspective harmonies and fast moving passages. The drumming that is Horacio's "own", and Anthony's sensitive alternate chords makes the arrangement so much richer."Anadolu", the Turkish word for Anatolia, contains Turkish melodic and rhythmic motifs intertwined into the musical panorama of Anatolia. The trio plays this unique percussive melody with such a precision; one can easily feel the groove hidden under its original meter, a 14/8, one of the odd meter tempos that are used in traditional Turkish music.