DOUBLEMOON - Oynamaya Geldik

“For me, music has always served as a way to find myself and understand my past. I set out to discover something universal by using something deeply familiar - the music of my people - as my launching pad. ” says Burhan Öçal, who on Oynamaya Geldik takes upbeat Roman melodies and interprets anonymous Thracian and Balkan works to reveal delightful outcomes.

Smadj, who worked his magic on their previous album “Kırklareli İl Sınırı” and who knows no boundaries when it comes to finding new ways to fuse oriental and electronic sounds, returns to lay down the electronic foundation for “Oynamaya Geldik”. With Burhan Öçal’s musical stylings and Smadj’s arrangements, traditional Roman melodies are sent out for the world to enjoy.

Ceaselessly entertaining, Oynamaya Geldik keeps the surprises coming through a series of refreshing arrangements and original interpretations of classics. At first listen the album’s sparkling musicality and cheerfulness will be the most striking aspect, but Oynamaya Geldik also invites listeners curious about Roman culture into a vibrant world of what life is like in the Thrace region of Turkey.

“Kaynana” is the story of a bride-to-be, while in “Kayınço” a man reproaching his perennially intoxicated brother-in-law. “Zigoş” features a Turkish man named Abidin and a Greek man named Gurgule who engage in verbal volley while fighting over the object of their mutual affection, a Turkish girl. The song “Bas Kızanım” illustrates the musical battles, sparring, and jamming that are characteristic of special occasions such as Roman weddings, while “Sülo” offers scenes from Roman daily life.

The album also features four original compositions and many vocal arrangements, as well as the addition of one new member to the All-Stars - 14 year-old Burcu whose rich and evocative voice conveys youthful energy and a wisdom well beyond her years.