Friday, September 20, 2013

CD Review: Turkey's Cigdem Aslan Releases 'Mortissa'

Cigdem Aslan
Mortissa
Asphalt Tango

Turkish-born singer, Cigdem Aslan, presents us with a debut album of rousing smyrniac, rebetiko, Balkan, gypsy, and Greek-themed compositions. There are also Sephardic, Turkish, Kurdish, Bulgarian, Roma, and Ladino leanings. Cigdem's voice is timeless and youthful. The thirteen songs are lively, refreshing, and upbeat. Most of the songs are reinvented from the 1920s and 30s. Mortissas are women that are independent and do not behave as society expects, which gives Cigdem's album a fitting title. Not exactly a rebel, Cigdem stays true to Mediterranean, Grecian, and Turkish roots with memorable rhythms, vocals, and melodies. There is even a Central Asian tone; especially with the qanun and baglama. At any rate, Cigdem Aslan creates beautiful songs that deserve to be heard around the world. Start listening today! ~ Matthew Forss  

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