cenk esen: endlessly
Francisco Espregueira
XVI Records presents Endlessly, the magnum opus from Cenk Esen, a name that has been quietly commanding respect within London's jazz circles as the go-to keys player for those in the know. The son of Turkish jazz-fusion pioneer Aydin Esen, Cenk's lifetime dedication to his craft, honed at Berklee and showcased at renowned venues like Ronnie Scott's, culminates in this spellbinding LP. Recorded at the legendary Air Studios with world-class musicians MckNasty on drums and Tom Driessler on bass, Endlessly sonically maps the turbulence and uncertainty of a young musician navigating a new city and the broader trials of finding one's way in life, with each composition born from reflections on personal struggles and the frustrations of unmet expectations.
Endlessly is a masterclass in dynamic contrast, a journey that begins with the ethereal swirls of "PHASED I" before launching into the energetic musicianship of "Air Traffic Controller," a whirlwind of sporadic keys, rolling bass, and eruptive drumming that captures the modern London scene's tight grooves and harmonic innovation. The album weaves through poignant moments like the voice note-laden "They’re Just Not That Into Me Anymore" and the majestic cello-introduced "H E R ?," before reaching the heart-wrenching beauty of the vocal track "Endlessly, I’m Erased," featuring Leyla Huysal's lament of unrequited love. Returning with ferocious energy in "A&C"'s polyrhythms, the album culminates in the epic "23" (Live In Istanbul), a rooftop-recorded whirlwind of cascading piano and restless groove. This breathtaking offering from Cenk Esen is poised to firmly establish him as a phenomenal talent on the global stage. Endlessly is available on vinyl, for the collectors.