Im Garten Eden suchten die Multiinstrumentalisten Tekbilek, Keane, Isikkut, Tuncboyaciayn u.a. nach der unvergänglichen 1002. Nacht. Kein vorderorientalisches Instrument durfte fehlen, jede Melodie, jeder Rhythmus musste stimmen. Und höre da: Die Schlüssel passten! Welch eine Zauberwelt.

the project

Omar Faruk Tekbilek continues to delight Western listeners with the vast array of Middle Eastern musical traditions. As the follow up to his debut solo recording Whirling (13086), Mystical Garden combines Faruk's musical mastery, composition and mystical influences creating a soulful and emotional musical journey Mystical Garden (and the self–titled track) is a variation on a theme. It is the reflection of Faruk's inspiration by "the unity of the Mystical life. The garden is an island surrounded by the ocean of sincerity. Everyone with their sincere hearts chanting God's name in their language. In essence, we are the flowers owned by the one and only Gardener." Mystical Garden places more emphasis on Faruk's writing, featuring five original tracks. And there is a greater emphasis on the stellar musicianship of the players. Egyptian Dance demonstrates traditional Egyptian motives, with variations on the rhythm and the scales. Hu Allah continues to tell Faruk's story in the garden, with his soulful voice over a bed of chanting, nature sounds, and orchestration, along with oud, ney, and bendir. As the last track, this piece leaves the listener in a peaceful trance. To compare Faruk to Western musicians, it would be as if one musician was a master of the drums, percussion, guitar, flute, recorder, oboe, and more. Add to this Faruk's mystical influences, and the listener is in for an extraordinary experience.

the artists

A virtuoso on several Middle Eastern instruments and a masterful performer on dozens more, Omar Faruk Tekbilek is a man of vast expertise. He started early, performing in his native Turkey by age 12 and studied under some of the greatest Turkish musicians. Establishing himself as one of the top Turkish studio musicians in the 1960s, he later toured Europe and the United States as one of the world's foremost performers of traditional Middle Eastern music. His appearances with jazz musicians Don Cherry and Karl Berger, and his work on numerous film and TV scores attest to his leadership status among contemporary Middle Eastern musicians. He now lives in New York state where he continues to expand his musical mastery, with a thriving solo career and collaborations with other artists, such as Fata Morgana (13110) with Australian percussionist Michael Askill.

Brian Keane is a talented composer and performer whose credits include many solo guitar and small ensemble recordings and a large number of soundtracks, including Süleyman the Magnificent (13023). He is the producer of both solo recordings by Faruk and has collaborated with Faruk on Fire Dance (13032) and Beyond the Sky (13047), which combine the sounds of the Middle East with Western synthesizers and guitar. Oud or lute virtuoso, Ara Dinkjian, and renowned percussionist, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, are both members of the popular band, Night Ark, which combines Western and Near Eastern musical forms. Hassan Isikkut is a composer and virtuoso on the Arabian kanun, or classical zither.

biography

discography

tracklist

1 Other Side of the River 8'53"
2 Magic of the Evening 6'47"
3 Laz 3'55"
4 Shashkin 6'48"
5 Hasret 8'53"
6 Egyptian Dance 5'06"
7 Three Last Words 8'33"
8 Mystical Garden 7'07"
9 Hu Allah 9'59"
  Total Time: 66'19"