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Berke Can Özcan, Jonah Parzen-Johnson: Friendship Music for Turkey
ByThe album consists of two extended pieces, largely improvisational. The background sound of children haunts sections of "Giant's Sleep." The brooding baritone and wash of cymbals carry a refined melancholy, which is occasionally broken by the quietly menacing trill of a synthesizer. An ominous chorus of drones takes the track out with solemnity. Özcan's drums are more present in "Roots." He deftly balances the sharper qualities of the kit with the overall atmospheric reserve. There is a hymnal character to "Roots," emphasized by the synthesizers' mimicry of bass, organ, and harmonium. Amid the repetitive melodies, the chimes, bells, and percussion effects add just enough messiness to enlarge the earthy scope of the music.
This is not Parzen-Johnson's first venture into philanthropy. The saxophonist contributed a solo track to Music for Ukraine (We Jazz Records, 2022), with those sales providing aid to the people of Ukraine. His agility and mastery of extended techniques pair nicely with the subtle, global style of Özcan. Friendship Music for Turkey is moving, minimal music which evocatively swells to make its broader point. One hundred percent of the album's proceeds will go to earthquake relief in Turkey and there is the possibility of an extended version of the album at a later date.
Track Listing
Giant's Sleep; Roots.
Personnel
Jonah Parzen-Johnson
saxophone, baritoneBerke Can Özcan
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Jonah Parzen-Johnson: electronics; Berke Can Özcan: electronics.
Album information
Title: Friendship Music for Turkey | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Jonah Parzen-Johnson
Instrument: Saxophone, baritone
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