Yavuz, Basak: A Little Red Bug

Here is another artist I was unfamiliar with. Basak Yavuz hails from Istanbul, Turkey and her debut album A Little Red Bug was released on December 15, 2016. This is really quite a unique little album covering blues, world music and jazz. It is quite an eclectic mix and the musicians are very good. The CD liner notes are not in English so I am not including a musician list. Her last album included Dave Liebman and Peter Eldridge so she has certainly kept some pretty good company.

The music here can be very spacious and develops quite slowly. Yavuz is in no hurry, delivering her vocals in the clearest of notes. She really does have an exceptional voice. The title track begins the disc with spacious percussion sounds and electric guitar chords slowly building eventually adding a little more weight as a steady drum groove and piano add structure. This one has an alternative jazzy flavour. "Tomorrow's Memories" is initially much more somber with violin and cello making an impactful statement. Basak's gentle vocals, a bit sultry in tone are clear and on the mark. "Set Me On Fire, Baby!" is one of the disc's most imaginative offerings, particularly the bluesy guitar work found throughout. The sound is more raw and the vocals are a perfect match. On "Oynak Dünya" heavy bass and catchy guitar combine Middle Eastern accents and dreamy percussion sounds. A definite world music vibe in this one. The jazzy "Walkin' Down The Bass Line" features only vocals and bass but was able to keep my interest level high throughout mostly because Yavuz's vocals, including scat, are stellar. "Bye Bye Blackbird" is a more peaceful offering where swirling piano and saxophone dance between wisps of cymbals and Yavuz's enchanting vocals. The sax and piano solos are highlights.

A Little Red Bug is one of those albums you really need to listen to closely to reap its full rewards. Most fans of melodic jazz should really dig it.

Track Listing:
1. Little Red Bug (5:24)
2. Tomorrow's Memories (5:40)
3. Set Me On Fire, Baby! (7:43)
4. Oynak Dünya (4:41)
5. Gidersen (4:13)
6. Benim Misin (3:30)
7. Walkin' Down the Bass Line (5:02)
8. Bye Bye Blackbird (7:04)
9. Sana Geldim (3:32)
10. Ipsiz Sapsiz (5:47)
11. Yoksun (5:56)

Added: January 5th 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2526
Language: english

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