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Three bands from the alternative Turkish label Double Moon performed in my hometown last night and I decided to go and check them out.
Taksim Trio - Hüsnü Şenlendirici on clarinet, İsmail Tunçbilek on bağlama and Aytaç Doğan on kanun - gave a virtuoso, outstanding performance. People say Hüsnü's parents gave him a clarinet mouth piece instead of a pacifier when he was a baby. I wouldn't doubt that for a second 
Mercan Dede is inspired by sufism. His music is a blend of electronic and traditional Turkish music. I wasn't always impressed with the electronic part, but all the more so with the musicians he brought with him. The 16 year old clarinet player was amazing and the whirling woman took my breath away.
Baba Zula are an eccentric wild bunch They describe their music as 'Oriental Dub'. It's a mixture of Turkish sounds, electronic elements, and the heavenly voice of Canadian singer Brenna McCrimmon makes the melting pot complete.
Baba Zula has been working together with reggae legend Sly Dunbar, Alexander Hacke from Einstürzende Neubauten and legendary dub producer Mad Professor. They also play a central part in Fatih Akin's movie Crossing the Bridge - The Sound of Istanbul.
On stage yesterday they were accompanied by Ceren Oykut who made live graphics during the show, their dancer Deniz Kasma, and legendary belly dancer Sema Yıldız.
Oh, and I got a rakı for free  
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