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Janet and Jak Esim Ensemble in Press
CD: Adio & Istanbul concert It’s good that I didn’t refuse my husband’s offer to go to this concert. I would have regretted so much. I haven’t heard these names before but I felt happy to read the names of Bülent Ortacgil and Erkan Ogur on the poster. At least the concert wouldn’t be bad if they were participating. Now I listen to Janet-Jak Esim’s album “Adio” both in my car and house. After a little search, I learnt that Bulent Ortacgil*, Fikret Kýzýlok* and Erkan Ogur* have been supporters of the couple who made years long meticulous researches about Sephardic music and gave many concerts both in Turkey and Europe, presenting this music while they preserve the authenticity yet with their own interpretation. You have 3 reasons to listen to the album of Janet and Jak Esim couple who present Sephardic music consisting of the mosaic of different cultures where the Jewish lived and migrated from Europe to Balkans and Turkey and integrated since 1942. a) Because your ears got polluted. The market is full of singers and songs who are screaming like crazy. Why not to give a break? On top, you will feel like you are tiny baby and your parents are singing lullabies to you. b) You will remember the romance. Don’t we just forget it during our run? How many of you have prepared a table with candles so far? While you listen to this album, you can do waltz and take a journey to far places hearing some Latin there. c) At the same time, you will let your soul catch up with your body. Thinking how we live in stress and hurry, we cannot even realise how our soul is left beft behind of our body. Isn’t it true? I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to listen and see them altogether. Be assured that you will be delighted as much when you listen to them as well. *Much respected musicians in Turkey. Comments from the readers: Sephardic music should have a different importance as it is the music of people who had been forced to migrate and experienced a drama. It has notes of deep emotions. The Esim couple knitted it like lace with the support of masters of music here. I have been listening to the album for the last 2 days upon your recommendation. Thank you! sefarad (15.05.2007) Mehtap Aksu, Haber1, May 2007 Dear Janet Esim and Dear Jak Esim, I listened to your first album by chance while I was studying at the university in 1989.. After that I bought your albums with major hesitations thinking “what if I wouldn’t get the pleasure I got from the previous one?” But everytime I got mad with myself having deprived myself from listening to you for the few days I went through these hesitations. I don’t know what fan letters mean to you but I owe you thanks with a 15 years delay. Welldone! Wishing you great days, With love and respect. Ali Gizer, January 2006 CD: Adio The existence of a Jewish community is maybe not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Turkey, but in fact Jewish populations were present in Anatolia way before the arrival of the Turkish populations from the East - think of St. Paul’s letters. Their number was much strengthened by the invitation extended to the Sefardi Jews expelled from Spain by the Sultan who could not believe that a great King would deprive his kingdom of such an active and beneficial group. The Ottoman Empire, while leaving no doubt about which religious group was dominant, was at the same time remarkably tolerant, and so Muslim and Jewish traditions coexisted side by side for centuries. A visit to the lovely village of Kuzguncuk on the Asian shore of Istanbul will provide a striking visual example, with Mosque, Synagogue and Orthodox church grouped together, three tiny buildings almost comforting each other against the surrounding high-rises. This coexistence produced a complex network of connections: cross-influences in mystic Brotherhoods, with shared cults and practices including music, as well as the birth of the unique Sabbetaist community, a Jewish group externally adopting Islam on the example of the self-proclaimed Messiah Sabbetai Zevi, still worshipping in what is called "the Jews’ Mosque" in Istanbul. Despite emigration to Israel, due in part to the recurrent bloody attacks by religious fanatics, the Jewish community in Istanbul still has deep roots and is well represented in all fields, from cultural activities to finance and industry. Apart from the aforementioned fanatics, and despite the historical kinship with the Muslim Palestinians, anti-Semitism in Turkey is remarkably weak, the strong ties reinforced by the immediate help extended by Israel to Turkey in times of need, most recently after the disastrous earthquake of 1999. Since the late 80s, Janet and Jak Esim have intensively researched and represented Turkish Jewish traditions - especially Sefardi but also Askenazi - with their own complex story of differences and similarities. Their long-term commitment has produced half a dozen recordings scattered around several labels, but now Kalan Musik has purchased the rights and are making them all available again on CD. This new project was especially recorded for the label. The arrangements by Herman Heder, who also performs on various guitars, brilliantly integrate the improvisations of some of the best Turkish musicians equally at home with folk traditions and jazz: Erkan Ogur and songwriter Bülent Ortacgil on guitars, percussionist Murat Özbey, Nezih Yesilnil on contrabass, Yahya Dai on saxophones, E. Bora Gürel on violin and Mamet Cafarov (Azeri, I believe) on accordion. They provide the necessary variety in instrumental colors, tastefully enhancing the melodies of a repertoire based on traditional songs covering a broad time period and very different social functions: love songs, hymns, drinking songs, lullabies and romanzas sung in harmonious combination of Judeo-Spanish, Turkish and French. Reedman Yahya Dai shines through the record, and he’s a very worthwhile addition in this context: his tongue-in-cheek, jazzy sax riffs color the first track, built around the intense purity of Janet’s voice, and then expands in a final inspired solo. Cuban tres and fretless acoustic guitar hold a dialogue in the second song, providing a continuously varied background for Janet’s voice, while Jak takes charge of the lively love song that follows, punctuated by Yahya Dai’s spirited dancing on soprano. Two waltzes follow, the first an original composed by Heder on a poem by Lina Alburek Cohen, and carried by the swirling accordion, the second a song of unrequited love with Ogur properly introducing some bluesy elements in his fretless solo. The most striking piece of the album is a Thracian lullaby where the violin in the closing solo refers to the Turkish classical music style, with double stops and quartertones, before launching seamlessly into a klezmer dance. Especially striking for me was to hear a melody that I remember from my childhood with very similar words, used as a lullaby in rural Tuscany. Of course it’s impossible to chart the "origins" of such melodies, but I found the Istanbul Sefardi repertoire to be particularly inclusive, using Verdi arias as well as a maxixe melody (a dance from South America sometimes called "Brazilian tango"). If I am not mistaken it’s Yahya Dai again, this time on EWI (electronic wind instrument), providing the other-worldly accompaniment to the liturgical song that follows, powerfully combining Jewish lyrics, a Turkish makam and a polyphonic arrangement. The drinking songs, while pleasant and funny, are lighter fare in a café-chantant atmosphere with appropriate violin stylings. The CD closes on a somber note with a lament for Mercedes, wife of King Alphonse of Spain, rendered in a very simple but effective arrangement for voice and guitar, Erkan’s e-bowed guitar providing a suitably mournful finale. The excellent recording quality is focused on the voices but nicely balanced, allowing the instrumental nuances to be fully perceived. Rich notes are provided in Spanish, Turkish and English, but unfortunately the lyrics lack an English translation. Nonetheless, this is a collection that might well be recommended as one of the best introductions to this specific tradition. Francesco Martinelli, Rootsworld (http://www.rootsworld.com/reviews/esimadio06.shtml) 2006 Beautiful guests, beautiful music... Interesting samples of Jewish – Spanish music dating back Renaissance period has penetrated into many countries and regions from Balkans to South America. Tempo, April 2003 One other important point is that their interpretations in this new album contain poliphonic Western armonies. The album “Mira” is marking a new epoch in the Sephardic music. Salom, April 2003 A Journey to West in Sephardic. Radikal , April 2003 The duo continue their way as the most researching interpreters of Sephardic music. We would recommend you not to miss either the album or concert. Noyan Ayan, Milliyet, April 2003 The Esim couple who is very well known by the international world music authorities again comes up with a top quality work. Spanish – Latin rhythms and armonies are dominant in the songs with strong polyphonic vocals. It is possible to say they reach oceans away, to Latin America with their melodies from time to time. Noyan Ayan, Milliyet , April 2003 CD: Mira You can feel the warmth of a live performance in their completely accoustic recordings. Noyan Ayan, Milliyet , April 2003 “Look at Janet and Jak”! (Mira) The songs in the album express the loneliness, love and pains of Jewish people who were expelled from Spain and sheltered by the Ottomans 500 years ago. We find tones of Renaissance, Meditterrenean, Aegean and South America in their music. Besides Janet and Jak couple, many other important artists have contributed into the album. Emre Akoz, Sabah, April 2003 I have a brand new CD in my hand. “Mira” is the album of Janet and Jak Esim Ensemble who is internationally the best known and qualified Sephardic music group, in my opinion. Robert Schild, Shalom , April 2003 I have a brand new CD in my hand. “Mira” is the album of Janet and Jak Esim Ensemble who is internationally the best known and qualified Sephardic music group, in my opinion. Robert Schild, Salom, April 2003 Wonderland There are a very few things in life which make you feel that you live in a wonderland. Generally these are very little things. Like finding a beautiful but shabby restaurant that noone really knows... Like finding a shortcut on the way you travel every day... Like hearing the longing in the voice of a friend whom you haven’t seen for 10 years and lost track. The new album “Mira” of Janet and Jak Esim gives such feeling to listeners. It wouldn’t be wrong to call the duo who introduced the Sephardic Music to Turkey. Janet and Jak Esim who have released 3 albums before “Mira” have always had limited but genuine listeners. You will find us right when we name a few who has contributed to this album flowing calmly and quietly. Erkan Ogur, Bulent Ortacgil, Nezih Yesilnil, Murat Ozbey, Ozer Arkun ve Yahya Dai. Yesim Cobankent, Vatan, April 2003 A work of archive. An album where polyphony is presented in the front without losing the accoustic tone. Ziya Ozisik, Evrensel, April 2003 The group fascinated the audience at the concert with their old and new songs. Janet – Jak Esim Ensemble aimed to catch a musical colour with their 4th album “Mira” released in Turkey, where many elements from the East and West unite. Ziya Ozisik, Evrensel, April 2003 Janet & Jak Esim couple, manage to conquer all hearts and ones with all sorts of music tastes. They manage to enthuse the audience who knows Judeo –Spanish language with their fast paced songs, make them think with liturgical songs, smile with romances. We have listened to a productive concert as much as it is successful. Salom, April 2003 I am sure that this group who has won many awards outside of Turkey and whose works have been included in various Jewish music compilations throughout the world will again gain many praises. I congratulate all who has contributed. Robert Schild, Salom, April 2003 They present their unique interpretation by preserving its authenticity with lyrics, style of singing and instruments... Juan Manuel Real Espinosa, Cervantes (Revista del Instituto Cervantes de Estambul), September 2002 They are making music at a level of quality and subtlety well above the average level of Turkish music market. Omer Turan, Bilkent 4 Mevsim , January 2000 How long has it been that you haven’t opened doors of new worlds to yourself? How about nourishing your soul rather than feeding it? Come on, let’s do a favour to ourselves and let’s pluck out a thousand year old beauty among this chaos. Petek Kutucuoðlu, Bogazici Dinamik, May 1997 Jak Esim is a researcher who has a rich musical horizon. He has spent a long period of his life by researching Sefardic music meticulously. Orhan Kahyaoðlu, Milliyet, March 1997 A music which has traces of the roads passed and new lands settled but roots back to many centuries. Salih Nazým Peker, Roll, March 1997 The last representatives of a 500 year old language bring a disappearing culture and songs which contain Anatolia, Istanbul, Meditterrenean, Andalus to light. You will find real music as almost old as history in this noise pollution. Serkan Seymen, Radikal, January 1997 A journey to world music: Janet – Jak Esim Demokrasi , January 1997 The music dating back 500 years comes to our day with the works of Janet-Jak Esim. Group’s “German Critics Award” in 1992 and being the Turkish group who has given the highest number of concerts in Europe also point such a world music spirit. Demokrasi, January 1997 If you are looking for some relaxation for your soul in these days where the commercial musics are flying high, we would recommend you to get the compilation album of the group’s Munich and Ankara concerts. Salom, February 1997 The group which makes Sephardic music collected the result of their years long researches in this album. Besides, there is a band here they established which cannot be overlooked. When the band is such, music is inevitably good. Elele, February 1997 An American ethno music researcher has come to Turkey many years ago. He told Jak Esim that his collection of songs were very authentic. So Jak researched and made a comparison with ethno music groups abroad. He has concentrated on the authentic songs that they didn’t have. Out of this work came out 250 Sefardic songs with his own efforts. Gulden Aydýn, Hurrriyet Pazar, February 1997 Open your ears for once to songs which are 500 years old, sometimes sad, sometimes joyful but always talking of love. You will get addicted afterwards, anyway.... Radikal, February 1997 Erkan Ogur’s style of playing fretless guitar and oud along with Janet’s voice and singing create an opportunity to live a few moments of eternity. Emek 1997 You may come across the names of Janet-Jak Esim on the shelves of music markets. Don’t pass it by. Baris Adali, Negatif , January 1996 Sephardic music didn’t get much interest from their own society. Despite the society’s disloyalty, these two young musicians are trying to keep the Sephardic songs alive. Miyase Ilknur, Cumhuriyet Dergi, January 1996 Make yourself a favour and get this album. You will find the heritage of Jewish people reached our day from thousand years back in Janet – Jak Esim’s album. Negatif , January 1996 Sephardic melodies have been facing the danger of disappearing in the last 30 years. The last album has been released in 1951 in Thessaloniki. Esim couple have been collecting these melodies from elderly people and old albums for 25 years. Aktuel 1995 You plunge into this ocean of culture every moment. Every song increases your joy a little more. It is such that you want the time to stop with the affect of magical notes. You can’t have enough. Leyla Mizrahi, Goztepe Kultur Dergisi , January 1994 The most important part of the event is that our past and musical culture were transferred to us with beautiful melodies by people from us in the best possible way. Sara Yanarocak, Salom, November 1993 The world knows them, we don’t. Janet and Jak Esim are known closely by music lovers whose roads cross ethnic or experimantal music. Parantez, May 1993 “German Critics Award” which is given quarterly in Germany in different fields of music was given to Janet and Jak Esim from Turkey. Jewish originated Janet and Jak Esim couple has won this award with their CD consisting of 16 songs which first Zülfü Livaneli has won for the first time. Sabah, September 1992 Award to Janet and Jak Esim from the German music critics. Shalom, September 1992 Applause to Janet and Jak. Tan, September 1992 Our arts ambassadors with an award at the international scene: Janet - Jak Esim Tan, September 1992 You can enjoy listening songs and romances shared by the two emotional and warmblooded societies whose music tastes are generally close to each other and especially if you like Meditterrenean music. Burak Eldem, Cumhuriyet, May 1992 In these days the Jewish society in Turkey are commemorating the 500th anniversary of their expulsion. Sephardic people’s warm and sensitive music of their own has a major importance in this event. This is increasing the popularity of “ An Antique Melancholy/Judeo Spanish Melodies” album which Janet and Jak Esim has recently released. Burak Eldem, Cumhuriyet, May 1992 Janet and Jak Esim Ensemble who came to Bremen by the invitation of WDR Folk Songs Department has given concerts named “Juden - Spanische Lieder aus der Turkei". The protection and tolerance which has been extended to Jewish people by Turkish people, who were forced to migrate from Spain 500 years ago, has been expressed at these concerts Hürriyet, June 1992 Janet and Jak Esim is a duo researching and arranging Sephardic folk music who present them with their own unique selectiveness and interpretations. Yusuf Altýntas, Salom, December 1992 Melancholy of a music disappearing. Cumhuriyet, April 1992 Goztepe Cultural Association has witnessed a wonderful concert on the night of 22 April 1992. This concert mentioned has left a taste that will not be forgotten for a long time. It was at a level to be admired with the technique of the music made, performing style and correct use of polyphony. Salom, April 1992 The Judeo-Spanish melodies arranged and performed by Esims are an integral part of the Anatolian ethnic mosaic. These important works are presented in authentic form, without bowing to "commercialism." Haftasonu, April 1992 An Antique Melancholy is gathering the last crumbs of a cultural dissolution which started thousands of years ago, before anything else. In this respect, melancholy is in a determining position of all songs. But it is not exaggerated at all. Just as much as it is present in life. Melancholy is such infused into this music, for example, a vivid song which is dominated with the North African rhythm turns into its own core (melancholy) with the mist of Janet Esim’s natural mezzo soprano voice. Hasim Akman, Tempo, April 1992 It is necessary to emphasize once again that in this age where commercial music took the whole world under siege with mass communication tools, this work here is really an option, a declaration of respect for the preservation of authentical values. Orhan Kahyaoðlu, Ýkibinedoðru, April 1992 Janet and Jak Esim concert is a true dream. Beki Bardavid, Shalom , April 1992 Jak’s guitar and Janet’s velvet voice brought a history that stayed hidden at the French Cultural Center. “Yo era ninya”.. So is like that... Isn’t that wonderful? You would have cried, if you had listened to it from lovely Janet. Yasar Aksoy, Yeni Asýr , March 1990 According to us, this young couple gave us who were there that night a lesson how a cultural event to be presented and watched with both their attitutes and style and their way of presenting as well. Yusuf Altýntas, Salom, March 1990 Major aim of the couple who is researching the Sephardic culture for years is “to awaken a culture that has been sleeping. Mujgan Yildirim, Tempo, July 1990 Sometimes he spends years to find and arrange a song that dates roots back 500 years. Mujgan Yýldýrým, Hurriyet, September 1989 Get this album if you want to listen to a truly good and an interesting album which came out as a very successful work. Ugur Cakýr, Boom Muzik, September 1989 Beyond everything, what Jak Esim has brought out has an indisputably a value as a cultural research. Burak Eldem, Cumhuriyet, July 1989 “Janet Jak Esim are after the lost culture.” Lale Filoglu, Cumhuriyet, July 1989 It has been prepared with important experience, sweet voices and impressions. It is truly worth to be congratulated! Nissim Bueno, La Luz de Israel, July 1989 I couldn’t help but think that it is a research to be presented at a festival after listening to this work. I recommend everyone who is interested in music or not, to listen to this fascinating synthesis that Janet Jak couple made with Erkan Ogur. Ayhan Goncer, Sey, July 1989 Janet Jak Esim couple are representatives of a music which is find to hard today. They offer love and history with notes. Murat Ersan, Gunes , December 1989 This musical structure is so full of warm and fluent themes, it brings an urge to listen to it repeatedly after you listen once. Orhan Kahyaoðlu, Playboy, August 1989 Many people who are passionately engaged in their works would feel the excitement of Jak Esim in their hearts as well. Beki Bardavit, Cumhuriyet, August 1989 “An incredibly interesting work of high quality” Birger Gesthuisen, WDR German Radio |