CD ‘Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th’
In May 2010, Mark Alban Lotz recorded and performed with leading figures from Istanbul’s free improvisation scene, resulting in two albums. This album features free improvisation in duo, trio, quartet, and collective formats with a group led by guitarist Umut Çağlar. Its companion album, Istanbul Improv Sessions May 4th, showcases recordings with the improvising ensemble Islak Köpek (The Wet Dogs).
“Sound is captured and manifested into startling shapes and becomes not only a harbinger of the essence of this record but also the messenger of the power of invention.” (All About Jazz, J.D’Souza, Canada)
“Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th is an imaginative, surprisingly accessible and masterful demonstration of truly adventurous musical minds.” (All About Jazz, E.Hareuveni, Israel)
“Careful creations of intensive and inspired soundscapes. Group improvisations on an highly interesting level.” (Draai om je oren, Jacques Los, The Netherlands)
Can Ömer Uygan (trumpet, analog effects)
Alexandre Toisoul (clarinet)
Florent Merlet (drums)
Michael Hays (upright bass)
Umut Çağlar (electric guitar, analog effects)
Mark Alban Lotz (piccolo, c-, alto-, bass-, prepared flute)
Sonic Squid Music
Catalogue number 2024.13
(Former LopLop Records 2010 release & the Turkish label re:konstruKt , catalogue number Llr 035, RK 046)
Produced by Mark Lotz
Artwork by Umut Caglar & Frauke Erichsen
Recorded May 5’th 2010, Istanbul Turkey
Mixed & mastered by Micha de Kanter
Jazzflits, The Netherlands
Lotz behaves like a fish in the water here … producing the most wonderous sounds. No musical mash or disorientated freaky playing here but subtleness and good balance between electronic and acoustic sound manipulation. Proves that anno 2010 improvisation is an international spoken language.”
Moorsmagazine, The Netherlands
“No categorisation to find here. Maybe: ‘Freejazzworldfusion with a wink’? For every listener with open ears longing for adventure.”
All About Jazz, B.Lindsay, USA
“Lotz’ collaborators …. on the evidence of this album, seems to be full of invention, ability and humor. … . At times troubling, at others funny and warm, the music on Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th has impressive depth and richness.”
Uni Magazine, Czech Republic
“Istanbul one of the world centers of improvised music. It is very noticable how under the leadership of Mark Lotz, the Turkish improvisers known for their feverish performance are performing subtle, collegial interupted with occasional appropriate screams.”
Draai om je oren, Jacques Los, The Netherlands
“Careful creations of intensive and inspired soundscapes. Group improvisations on an highly interesting level.”
Jazzword, K.Waxman, USA
“Committed to express every abrasive timbre that can be pulled, pushed and whapped from an instrument, the cacophonous result of mouthpiece squeezed split tones, twittering bird calls, buzzing guitar reverb and brassy, flat-line trumpeting becomes as exciting as it is impudent.”
Citizen Jazz, France
“… privileges the rough sound, out of which an intimate, fragmentary proximate musical quality is born.”
Jazz Italia, Italy
“The total interplay total, as well as absolute freedom, irony and understatement are the elements of strong emotion here.”
Jazzpodium, Germany
“… a voucher of perfect craftmanship.”
All About Jazz, E.Hareuveni, Israel
“Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th is an imaginative, surprisingly accessible and masterful demonstration of truly adventurous musical minds.”
All About Jazz, J.D’Souza, Canada
“Sound is captured and manifested into startling shapes and becomes not only a harbinger of the essence of this record but also the messenger of the power of invention.”
Volkskrant Newpaper, The Netherlands
“Lotz not only is a distinguished flutist but also one with sharp ears. Sparkling sound pictures … the result is surprisingly accessible!”
