THE ARTISTS: FAHIR ATAKOGLU Born 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.com HORACIO EL NEGRO HERNANDEZ Born 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 JACKSON Born 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. "About Autumn (Seasons Change)", is a descriptive ballad. This song is one of the two, where Donny Mc Caslin joins the trio. Here Donny plays soprano sax and carries the melody with his smooth tone that complements the melody's and the arrangement's simplicity and beauty. "Beyoglu", a beautiful melody that blends with the composition's ethnic groove where Anthony 's exceptional timing joins Horacio's 5/8, takes you to the back streets and the steamy bars of Beyoglu, a district in Istanbul. "Cool" is cool in a quiet way. On this track Anthony and Horacio's unique rhythm sense blends with Fahir's chord changes seamlessly. In "Spur of the Night" one can imagine Horace Silver's Jazz messengers have visited Turkey. The trio's tight timing of the melody's syncopations, and passionate solos by Donny and Fahir gives the composition that lovely funky feeling. "Ten Eight" has a melody that really shows the composer's strong emotional bond with his motherland Turkey. The arrangement and performance, makes a complex rhythm like 10/8 sound very natural. "Glow With The Flow" is a lovely melody, which goes in and out of tempo very effectively. Horacio's Latin sense, Fahir's clever modulations, and Anthony's relaxed playing makes this song a pleasure to listen. "Yana Yana", "On fire" in Turkish, features exceptional drumming by Horacio, together with Fahir's percussive left hand and Anthony's precise walks, makes this tune a fast but a powerful "burn". "Back Home" is a nostalgic ballad. Anthony's deep understanding of harmony and melody connects with Fahir's soft and expressive touch, and together the timbres deliver the melody with great sensitivity. "Cumartesi", Saturday in Turkish, has a melody that is full of beautiful Turkish motifs waiting for a lazy Sunday morning. Horacio's drum solo on the vamp ends the album with an energetic high point. ARIF MARDIN Producer, Composer, Arranger.