When it comes to jazz and pop vocals, I can say that Randy Esen is perhaps the only vocal coach who has held the hands of countless singers in Turkey with a mother’s affection. She is a mentor who treats each individual’s music and voice with a constructive and non-judgmental approach, giving them the chance to rediscover themselves. We cannot thank the pianist Aydın Esen enough, who separated her from New York in 1987 and brought her among us. But on the other hand, there is an Esen family phenomenon, which is a musical galaxy stretching out to the world through these lands! Two beautiful solar systems were born in this galaxy that was formed by a great romantic explosion. Their names are Cenk and Aykan! There are countless planets of ideas in this galaxy. The voices of Norma Winstone and Shirley Horn are also heard from the neighboring galaxy.
The family actually came together many times on Aydın Esen’s albums; without any lower age limit. Then in 2019, Randy recorded an album with Aydın Esen and Bob Moses duo. Its name was “Behind the Light and Shine” and it was released during the pandemic period with AK Music label. Afterwards, Randy started to sing other compositions with guitarist Kerem Can Dündar and son Cenk Esen; and finally came out with a brand new EP produced by Cenk. According to Randy, these recordings, which took their final shape after hundreds of shuttles between London and Istanbul, offer a brand new astral journey in the Esen music galaxy.
Even this time, there are new guide explorers in the journey. They tell us once again this universe with their voices and interpretations. For example, Randy’s longtime companion, jazz vocalist Elif Çağlar, or Çağıl Kaya, who always surprises the audience with her theatrical, avant-garde approach. Dila Bahar with her innovative modern style. And a name that the new generation knows very well from the world of rap: Şamil Oymak (aka Şam). Of course, Randy’s sons Cenk and Aykan are our captains. And two valuable musicians from two different generations are in the band. One is Chat Baker’s reincarnated spirit, our master trumpet player İmer Demirer, and the other is Cenk’s friend from Berklee and drummer Jasper Williamson, now considered a member of the Esen family.
Cover Design/Kapak Tasarım: Kadir Erten
The most beautiful detail is the name of this new galaxy tour we will take: “NOT ALONE”. A title that contains its own paradox. A journey from darkness to light. Except for two of the songs in it, all the words and music belong to Randy Esen. Not Alone is the highlight of the project, both with its lyrics and its clip, shot with the support of Akbank. Shaped by Gizem Bilgen’s choreography, this visual story combines modern dance, which Randy has been a fan of since her youth, and her own unique music in a very stylish way. The dancers you see in the clip are Şiva Canbazoğlu, Barış Diker and Beste Demir. “Where will the dance of light and darkness within us take us?”, “How will we discover that we are not alone?” makes you ask questions. By the way, I can’t help but mention that my second favorite track in the EP is “Man From Mars”, a Joni Mitchell heirloom.
You can read a few lines below from the Açık Radyo broadcast we made with Randy right after the launch:
Randy Esen: “I am 65 years old and this is a new starting point in my life and for me it is very important. I wrote most of the songs during the pandemic. That’s why many of them there are many short stories and emotions hidden that I hope you can understand. Our trio at the base of the album. However, by making determined choices from among the singers I have worked with, I have a different voice than me. I wanted to add the colors to our palette in this project.
Randy Esen & Sanat Deliorman (Photo: Begüm Yardımcı)
We shot our movie for Not Alone at the “Hep Dans Var Studio”. Incredible choreography emerged. Gizem Bilgen has planned everything very cleverly. I enjoyed every second of working with another discipline. The song Not Alone depicts the inner conflicts we can experience at any age. We can all experience this anxiety, tension, sadness and anger. But in the end, we strive to reach enlightenment, hope, positive and elegance. The dancer in a white costume represents an angel. She is trying to pull the characters who are writhing in pain towards the light. He is trying to get them out of this conflict and give them a more positive perspective.”
Finally, I invite you to listen the live performance of Clench I, performed by Randy at the Açık Radyo studios.
PERSONNEL
Not Alone
Elif Caglar – Special Guest Vocalist
Randy Esen – Vocals
Cenk Esen – Piano, Synths, Key-Bass
Kerem Can Dundar – Guitar
Jasper Williamson – Drums
Just Losing
Dila Bahar – Special Guest Vocalist
Randy Esen – Vocals
Aykan Esen – Bass, Synths, Electronics
Jasper Williamson – Drums
Cenk Esen – Piano, Additional Backing Vocals
Man From Mars
Imer Demirer – Special Guest Artist/Trumpet
Randy Esen – Vocals
Cenk Esen – Keyboards, EFX
Kerem Can Dundar – Guitar, EFX
Borrowed Time
Randy Esen – Vocals
Aydin Esen – Piano, Programming, Keyboards
Jasper Williamson – Drums
Clenched I
Randy Esen – Piano and Vocals
Clenched II
Samil Oymak – Special Guest Vocalist/Rapper
Cagil Kaya – Special Guest Vocalist/Rapper
Cenk Esen – Piano, Synths, Key-Bass
Jasper Williamson – Drums
Randy Esen – Vocals
ARRANGEMENTS:
Track 1(Not Alone) – Cenk Esen
Track 2(Just Losing) – Aykan Esen
Track 3(Man From Mars) – Randy Esen and Kerem Can Dundar
Track 4(Borrowed Time) – Aydin Esen
Tracks 5 and 6(Clenched I and II) – Randy Esen and Cenk Esen
THE RECORDING:
All tracks were recorded at Babajim Mastering and Recording Studios in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2022
Recording Engineer – Saygin Ozatma
Main Assistant Engineer – Ural Turan
Assistant Engineer – Ceylan Akcar
PRODUCER:
Cenk Esen – All Tracks
Aykan Esen – Track 2
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Aydin Esen
POST PRODUCTION:
Mixing Engineer – Aykan Esen – Tracks 1,2,5,6
Mixing Engineeer – Aydin Esen – Tracks 3,4
Mastering Engineer – Guven Ersoysal, Aykan Esen
COVER:
Photographer – Selin Alemdar
Make up artist – İsmail Bozkuş
English translation for Clenched II rap lyrics – Maral Perk
Legal Consultancy – Demircin-Emre Hukuk Burosu
