The international music artist known as
Zeynep Ozbilen has released her latest official record, “Zee.”
The album has been proudly published as an independent title without
ties to the corporate music industry of any part of the world. It
comprises a collection of 12 tracks, many of which are original songs
by Ozbilen herself but also featuring rearrangements of popular
classics such as “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat and Tears. An
indescribably multicultural record with moods, styles and textures
from an array of various nations, “Zee” by Zeynep Ozbilen is one
of the most colorful and intriguing musical experiences to reach
music stores in some time.
The Toronto-based Zeynep Ozbilen cites
as main artistic influences Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria
Estefan, Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Club, Shakira, Tony Bennett,
and Michael Buble. As might be intuited from this list, a large
portion of her music stems from the Latin jazz movement, and it is
largely this dose of 'el ritmo Latino' which makes her record so very
danceable and infectious.
It is not, however, a dominant musical
component in “Zee” so much as it is a sonic partner with the
album's other key element: a strong foundation on Turkish music. In
fact, it is this traditional Ottoman sound which first introduces the
album once the listener hits 'play.' Ozbilen's second track follows,
beckoning, “Come to Istanbul.” When the third, much more
Latin-based song begins, it dovetails with the previous Mediterranean
style so elegantly that the listener feels transported.
Amusingly, the title of the record is
not merely eponymous. Her album was recorded in Toronto, Miami, New
York and Istanbul in collaboration with 20 fellow artists worldwide.
Tracing a path on the surface of the globe from Toronto to Istanbul,
thence to Latin America and returning to the Mediterranean sea where
Ozbilen and her music share their origination, the result is a
perfect 'Z.'
The songs on Ozbilen's “Zee” have
been turning heads all over the world, even previous to the record's
official release on February 20th.
On hearing her rendition of “Spinning
Wheel” and other songs, Blood, Sweat and Tears lead singer David
Clayton-Thomas remarked, “Zeynep's music is an unusual blend of
Turkish melodies and Latin rhythms. With pure talent, a great voice
and a collection of gifted musicians, she makes it all work.”
Jaymz Bee of Toronto's world-famous
Jazz.FM91 noted that “Zeynep has certainly made her mark in the
Toronto music community quickly. When she's not working with some of
the city's best musicians, you can find her in clubs supporting other
artists. And they say cloning is illegal. Pity.”
“Zee” by Zeynep Ozbilen is
available online worldwide beginning 20 February 2015. Get in early.
Very early.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
www.MondoTunes.com
“Zee” by Zeynep Ozbilen –
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