Minor Empire Press Quotes

“Group addresses Turkish roots in entrancing musical project. Ozman’s
exceptional emotional expression becomes a language unto itself.”
Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
“The album is a perfect symbiosis between the Turkish traditional elements and
the contemporary jazz and electronic sounds. What I like so much is the
authentic atmosphere the music breaths, but it’s modern sound at the same time.
It’s tradition from a new generation, perfectly arranged, highest quality and an
exciting collaboration between professional musicians. ..the album is like a
concept record, all compositions have their own atmosphere but are connected
at the same time, they form a natural completeness. A dream debut!”
Eelco Schilder, Folk World
“..among the best I’ve heard lately. Ozan Boz touches no world music soup, he
creates a dynamic virtuosity and masters the balance between electronic and
acoustic instruments. Be sure to listen!”
Holger Brandstaedt, Folk World
“Flashing a polished, sophisticated sound, this Toronto-based group coaxes both
Western and Turkish music into a delicious dance that is both fresh and stylishly
hip. Deeply exotic, Second Nature moves effortlessly through 14 evocative tracks
fashioned out of ripe Turkish hues and moody Western atmospheric landscapes.
Bold, expertly worked and voluptuous, Second Nature will surely have world
music fans clamoring for the next installment from Minor Empire.”
TJ Nelson, World Music Central
”This group of talented musicians have a deep understanding of what is takes to
create dreamy and cinematic textures that unfold with a seeming simplicity. You
hear it in the pure and sinuous vocals of Ozman, and in the percussion that
simmers with delicious intensity without ever quite reaching a boil. Nor, it should
be pointed out, does it need to. “
Li Robbins, Songlines
“The captivating voice you hear on the CD “Second Nature” belongs to Ozgu
Ozman, the lead singer with Minor Empire. I love how their sound blurs the lines
between electronic and traditional Turkish music. I like how textured and trippy it
is, and I especially like the guitars on this album – ominous and psychedelic.”
Errol Nazareth, CBC Radio One
“All my initial scepticism immediately disintegrated with the first track of Minor
Empire’s debut release “Second Nature.” No second rate bad world music here.
Leader/electric guitarist/programming guru Ozan Boz has carefully eliminated
any such occurrences with his careful combinations of Western pop sounds, jazz
improvisations, and Turkish traditional music and his superb arrangements. The
result is a smart band creating intriguing sounds and melodies set to a backdrop
of funky beats. Ozman’s sultry vocals weave effortlessly through a tapestry of
musical influences. “
Tiina Kiik, The WholeNote
“De Toronto, la chanteuse Ozgu Ozman tisse l’une des plus belles musiques à
partir de ses racines turques: tout en élégance, l’interprétation est raffinée dès le
départ. Et Ozman marie sa voix aux splendides croisements de guitares
électriques et atmosphériques. On reste souvent dans les maqâms turcs, on
ajoute des climats planants et on invite un musicien de marque dans presque
toutes les pièces. Il s’agit bien de cela: le disque propose un équilibre quasi
parfait entre les climats d’intimité et les claques percussives, entre la nuit des
temps et l’urbanité qui s’y fond.”
Yves Bernard, Le Devoir
“A slinky, dub-y Turkish soup of knotty rhythms, largely unsweetened. Chris
Gartner’s deft bass work nearly melts into the percussion, as do Ozan Boz and
Michael Occhipinti’s guitars, for that matter. Ozgu Ozman is front and centre with
effective vocals, both sexy and serpentine, but never outlandishly so. The
atmosphere is successfully dreamy without being wan and its sunny moods
aren’t cloying. Best of all, this disc makes you want to check them out live.”
David Dacks, Exclaim!
“Minor Empire’s debut concert was an impressive affair all around. Musically
sophisticated and well-played they also demonstrated their ability to draw the
community and a broader audience together, celebrating their CD release to a
full house at Lula Lounge. ”
Alan Davis, Small World Music Society
“Second Nature is a unique record that calms you while suggesting ecstatic
possibilities in the blending of blazing muscular electric virtuosity within the
echoes of ancient exotic sultanates.”
Paul Corby, Corby’s Orbit