Fırat Günel – Echoes Of Anatolia (EP Review)

Today’s review features the new Echoes of Anatolia EP by Firat Günel. This is a traditional folk EP featuring songs and sounds of Anatolia in Turkey. The album highlights the piano as the main instrument, accompanied by the soulful sounds of the oud, kabak kemane (a bowed string instrument), and flute, adding depth and a unique spirit to these traditional folk songs.

In this EP titled Echoes of Anatolia, “Fırat Günel arranges three anonymous folk songs (Yağmur Yağar Taş Üstüne – Rain Falls on the Stone, Bülbülüm Altın Kafeste – My Nightingale in a Golden Cage, and Mağusa Limanı – Port of Famagusta). He is accompanied by prominent Turkish musicians Cafer Nazlıbaş (Kabak Kemane) and Ahmet Ürütük (Oud). With this EP, Günel aims to bring listeners together with “sounds and stories of Anatolia, inviting them to experience a bridge between the past and the future.” (Bio).

So let’s have a listen …

The EP starts off with “Yağmur Yağar Taş Üstüne” (Rain Falls on the Stone) which kicks off with a lovely piano riff, then the vocals and the background vocals come in, but just briefly, followed by the soft texture of the piano. The piano sets a very pensive mood. About halfway through the song Günel’s flute comes in playing the piano melody. The sound is gorgeous!

The second song is “Bülbülüm Altın Kafeste” (My Nightingale in a Golden Cage). It starts off with a back and forth piano then what almost sounds like an acoustic lead guitar, but is actually a kabak kemane (a bowed string instrument). It definitely adds a smile to the arrangement as it follows along matching the notes of the piano and embellishing on the melody.

The final song on the EP is “Mağusa Limanı” (Port of Famagusta), which starts off with a flute solo over a very contemplative piano line. The kabak kemane is also featured prominently in this song. The melodies are epic!

SCORE/Excellent: An extremely well-crafted EP with gorgeous songs. The traditional instrumentation works well against the contemplative pensive vibe of the piano to bring out Günel’s wonderful melodies. If you are into traditional folk music from around the world, this EP is a must-listen! Put Echoes of Anatolia into your favorite world music playlist! Much love, Beth

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