The Persian word ‘Jana’ means “beloved, my dearest, my soul”. Often used as a term of endearment, “Jananeh” is the response that completes the greeting between two lovers. The mystic Persian poets Rumi and Shams, two lovers in heart and mind, write in these words to each other like kindred spirits united by the resonance of their souls. It is a similar connection that binds the collaborators from three generations, spread across the world, to create this truly unique and mystical multimedia release.
The first release of Halaken Soundsystem, the duo project of Halaken founders Mercan Dede and Dexter Crowe, opens a new avenue for experimentation and exploration of the space between generations, cultures, sounds, space and time. Originally written and performed decades ago by filmmaker, artist and dear friend of Halaken, Fernando Del Sol from Caravan of Light, the sermon evokes the spirit of the Halaken mission. Inspired by Del Sol’s words during lockdown the energy reflects lessons learned in isolation, disconnected from the fundamental necessity of collective expression. As “we return to community and escape the psychosis of the collective mind” we call for artists to embrace the fire within and drive us back into life and our search for truth and freedom...
“we return to community and escape the psychosis of the collective mind” .
The Scream. A modern being in a moment of deep anguish and existential despair. Painted over a century ago, today more relevant than ever. Pouring the 1893 Edvard Munch masterpiece into the present day through the ancient Ebru art form is one of Turkey’s finest contemporary artists, Garip Ay. Stroke by stroke, touch by touch, delicately manipulating the liquid scene into life as the rhythm builds. The Oud of Özdemir Güz leads the story, supported by a haunting choir that gives voice to those in the distance. The Ney of Burak Malcok cries with the screaming figure before the big reset. Building back from a dark and heavy place, the reassuring beat carries a mysterious atmosphere into melody as the Ney gives a final solo
“I sense a scream passing through nature. I painted ... the clouds as actual blood. The colour shrieked.” - Edvard Munch.
Welcoming a new member to the Halaken family, Turkish duo Ikaru breathes new life into one of Mercan Dede’s earliest works, ‘Dream of Shams’ from his ‘Sufi Dreams’ album of 1999. Inspired by Dede’s stewardship of world music and traditional Eastern sounds into the electronic realm, the young trio carry the torch as part of a new generation of Middle Eastern producers, adding their own unique voice. Their reimagination is a fusion of the spirit of the original score, the voice of the electric guitar and the fresh power of synthesizers.
The story manifests itself as an illumination in the darkest of times, and realizes an intimate and unique understanding of Shams al-Tabrizi’s dream. It reveals the connection between two seemingly distant but inherently unified stories: Rûmi and Shams. As one of the most distinguished stories of companionship and love, they unite in the Dance of the Sufî -semâ- as they follow each other in an unstoppable and ecstatic oscillation of light and dark, dream and reality, yin and yang. This is an invitation to overcome and accept what we’re all living through.
In Rûmi’s words, “there is a great secret here for anyone who can grasp it’.
As the first collaborative work on Halaken Records, co-founders Mercan Dede and Dexter Crowe join forces with mystical Canadian vocalist, Ra*faelle, and expedition film makers, ParaFilms to create ‘Radiata’. With chapters from ParaFilms’, Plankton Chronicles, the release fuses multiple sonic genres and gives a breath of new life to the alien creatures of the aquatic underworld.
Opening with a granular texture that highlights the polarity between the microscopic and vastness of the sea, the traditional Turkish ney and the hauntingly mysterious presence of Ra*faelle converse to tell the story. A thick bassline and powerful drums and percussion soon
drive the electronic soundscape forward, sparking the luminous dance of the ctenophora. Lush orchestral strings bring the track to its height as surreal jellyfish fly unhurried through the deep. Softly falling into emptiness, Ra*faelle floats above gentle melodies as lacy tentacles drift away.
All proceeds from this release will be donated to EcoMaris, an organisation offering education and discovery trips on Quebec’s St Lawrence River.
Dexter Crowe puts in his first contribution to the Halaken Records catalogue with his release ‘The Party’. Musically, this dance floor groover is a step up in intensity from previous releases. A strong percussive beat and rich didgeridoo sounds lay a deep tribal base for playful melodies and mysterious tribal chants. The bouncey, one note bassline drives the track through a unique arrangement that is constantly evolving. The video is another creative output from the Australian/Canadian artist made from early Charlie Chaplin films. Fusing Chaplin’s old films with his own groovy sound, Dexter carries the endearing Chaplin’s timeless message into today’s electronic music scene
After a three year period of artistic incubation and reinvention, Mercan Dede returns to the music sphere with the inaugural video release on Halaken Records, ‘Kapadokya’. From sunrise to sunset on the 25th of May 2018, Dede soared above the majestic ancient landscape of Cappadoccia playing an intimate set between him, the pilot, the clouds and the purveying spirits.
With his modern electronics powered by a compact generator, he performed his multi instrumental set cradled by woven wicker, suspended by hot air and propelled by nothing more than the morning draft. At the journey’s end, he touched back down to join a crowd of enthused locals at Cappadox Festival and close the night with a 3 hour DJ performance.
Making use of contemporary technology blended with traditional instruments from a variety of cultures, the release pulls both the landscape and sounds into an ageless work of art. The haunting vocals of Bryce Lamar float a top a rich symphony of strings while classic Turkish gypsy percussions engage in conversation with warm analog synths and electronic sound design. Signature to his music, the Ney elevates the music to another level, singing a powerfully mysterious melody to bring the song to climax.
