Music > Album Reviews

Dogan Mehmet // Outlandish

26/08/12

Release Date:  20th August 2012

 Doğan Mehmet // Outlandish (Hobgoblin)

Doğan Mehmet is a multi-talented, classically trained musician, actor and comedian who trained with STOMP and has appeared on TV (as Omid Djalili’s son). Brighton born of Turkish Cypriot decent, Mehmet plays a beguiling mix of British, Turkish, Greek and Cypriot folk (or, as Mehmet prefers, roots music), with a rocky, funky, almost Two Tone edge, sung in English and Turkish. 'Outlandish' is his second album and follows the brilliant 'Gypsyhead'.

All bar one of the songs on 'Outlandish' are traditional but are arranged in accordance with Mehmet’s unique, entertaining and humorous vision. 'Bonny Boy' has a hint of Led Zep at their funkiest whilst 'Bonny Boy' features a lengthy instrumental break in a Cypriot style. 'Cut This Cloth' is the one original song and keeps to the formula whilst presenting a strong antiracism message.

Whilst the music revolves around Mehmet’s vocals and virtuoso violin, saz and bouzouki playing, the praise must be given to eight piece backing band The Boombox Karavan, all of whom play out of their skin.

Having seen Mehmet and band once, I can’t wait to see them again.

9/10 Pavlis