Review: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Mahalle (Nublu Records)

Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions' 'Mahalle' is the latest release on New York’s legendary Nublu Records and get it now so you don't miss the boat/ferry!

Ever since the single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) came out and the 'Yeditepe' / 'Asmalı' follow-up (see review HERE), the YATM office has been excited for Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions album; especially after the label released the avant-garde JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

So what's the new with the Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan on 'Mahalle'?; the "sonic exploration of Istanbul's diverse neighborhoods where tradition meets innovation and the ancient pulse of the city merges with contemporary rhythms".

Well, check this 'neighbourhood' where the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland is merged with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here: try the 70s cinematic jazz-funker 'Haliç' or the car chase 'Tünel'.

If you're like Ilhan, who has jammed with The Red Hot Chili Peppers in São Paulo or played with Bugge Wesseltoft in the Tokoyo Blue Note club (Ed. note, this year marks the 25th anniversay of Wesseltoft's album 'New Conception Of Jazz: Moving' so watch out for more on this) along with being emerced in the traditons of Turkish/Mediterean music via Sweden, will get how this sax player stands out with a homage Istanbul and post-Weather Report all at the same time.

The core team was formed in 2009 (and at that time featured Erik Truffaz on trumpet who popped up HERE a couple of years ago) and features bassist/co-producer Alp Ersönmez who is a joint-leader much of the time - especially on 'Karaköy' with echoes of Andy Bey/Pharoah Sanders/Jazz Chronicles), drummer Turgut Alp Bekoglu and percussionist Izzet Kizil.

So there's definitely spiritual incarnations with Ersahin's sax you're equally likely to be confronted by rock band influences (like on 'Odakule') which might irk some but were on the coat tails of jazz-rock here (Ed. Jazz Sabbath anyone?) whilst the Batov elements would prefer more manic pulsing 'Athos' skat lullaby of the closing track 'Tersane'.

Going to be a favourite album throughout the year as it's going to be tough to say that there's a better one - makes you wanna join a band.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (): https://ffm.to/mahalle

Artist: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions

Title:  Mahalle      
Release date: 16th January, 2026
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number: NUB-TBC
Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Yeditepe / Asmalı (Nublu Records)

Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions is world's away again, "guiding listeners through a sonic exploration of Istanbul's diverse neighborhoods where tradition meets innovation and the ancient pulse of the city merges with contemporary rhythms" -this is the latest release on New York’s legendary Nublu Records!

We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: We know from the last single, 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (see review HERE) that Istanbul's Sessions' by Ilhan Erashin is building up to the sixth studio album, 'Mahalle' that's due out mid-January next year which finds itself next to the recent avant-garde label release, JMMR's 'Resistance Is Fertile' (see review HERE).

Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan has managed to merge the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with Thundercat funk on 'Asmali' which is advanced jazz funk on anyone's menu.  And talking cross-genre influences, is that some sophisticated punk a la Joy Division on 'Yeditepe' with some insane percussion: there's a lot going on here.

Once more, NY jazz reinforces my suggest that these guys at Nublu are the embodiment of, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and this 'Jazz Chronicles' for 2025/6 and beyond

Love the cover photo, reminds me of camping out at Cheltenham racecourse many moons ago.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Ilhan Sersahin's Istanbul Sessions: Yeditepe / Asmalı

Artist: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions

Title:    Yeditepe / Asmalı 
Release date: 2nd December, 2025
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number: NUB-0692
Format:  Digital 

Review: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - 'Galata' / 'Karaköy' (Nublu Records)

Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions is world's away from the last release on New York’s legendary Nublu Records!
 

The Phenomenal Handclap Band's 'We Are Worlds Away' (see review HERE) is nothing like this collision between New York Jazz Club and Istanbul's Sessions is update on David Murray's 'Blues For Memo' with Swedish born-Turkish heritage-NYC living saxophonist-club owner Ilhan leading on a single ahead of an album early next year, 'Mahalle'.

If you recall the jazz-rock-fusion of Acoustic Ladyland with cross-genre influences, these two track have a sophisticated punk element where 'Galata' goes funky and 'Karaköy' whips up some speed spiritual that crashes traditional east-west thinking.

As someone might have said, "We must get closer to the essence of life" and I've said it beow about this label, they are going places, even worlds away?

'Karaköy' is jazzdance gold in my book; did anyone mention Jazz Chronicles? 

Love the cover photo, reminds me of a water polo tournament in Sliema many years ago

BUY LINK: https://ffm.to/galatasingle

Artist: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions
Title:   Galata / Karaköy
Release date: 14th October, 2025
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number : SI-NUB-069
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp