Mehmet Polat - Embodied Poetry (2023)

Mehmet Polat is a master ud player, composer, ensemble leader and soloist who tours internationally. From Africa to India, Persia to the Balkans, Contemporary to Jazz, he has been combining various musical genres with his Alevi Spiritual, Anatolian Folk and Ottoman classical music background. Through his improvisations, compositions and his own take on a variety of musical styles, Mehmet is constantly searching for new musical paths and inspiration. After many years of research, he invented his own technique to advance beyond the limitations of his traditional instrument. With this new left hand technique, he can play more advanced and modern pieces. He has also designed an ud with two extra bass strings to broaden the range and function of his instrument.

Band:
Mehmet Polat - ud
Mike Roelofs - piano
Daniel van Huffelen – double bass
Martin Hafizi - drums

Guest musicians:
Gijs Levelt – trumpet, track 7
Vardan Hovanissian – duduk, track 8
Şükrü Kirtiş – ney, track 11

Tracklist:
1.01 - Mehmet Polat - Introspection (5:12)
1.02 - Mehmet Polat - For growth (5:40)
1.03 - Mehmet Polat - Embodied poetry (7:00)
1.04 - Mehmet Polat - Ladybird (4:08)
1.05 - Mehmet Polat - Compassion (6:38)
1.06 - Mehmet Polat - Diotima (4:32)
1.07 - Mehmet Polat - Groove stories (4:31)
1.08 - Mehmet Polat - Landed together (5:14)
1.09 - Mehmet Polat - Morning smiles (6:56)
1.10 - Mehmet Polat - Vulnerable gems (4:09)
1.11 - Mehmet Polat - Four phases (10:26)
1.12 - Mehmet Polat - Güpegündüz (5:19)