HAKAN BAŞAR “Maiden Voyage”

ARTIST

Hakan Başar

ALBUM TITLE

“Maiden Voyage”

LABEL

Red Records

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First of all, the title is perfect: Maiden Voyage, like Herbie Hancock’s iconic composition – track six on this album. And indeed, this is very much a true maiden voyage for Hakan Başar, who, at only twenty-one, has already accomplished a great deal. For his second album as a leader, the Istanbul-born pianist has joined the Milan-based Red Records, a label under new management that focuses on discovering emerging talent – Italian, but not exclusively. Supporting Başar are two leading figures of the new Italian scene: Sienese bassist Michelangelo Scandroglio and Florentine drummer Bernardo Guerra. Although this rhythm section often gravitates toward more exploratory contexts than the classic piano trio, any preconceptions are quickly dispelled – the quality of the music speaks for itself.

With the exception of “Compassion,” composed by Başar himself, the album’s nine tracks offer a free yet coherent journey through the history of jazz piano. It’s a musical itinerary that runs from Billy Strayhorn – Duke Ellington’s late right-hand man, honoured here in “Lotus Blossom” and the bonus track “Chelsea Bridge,” the album’s longest – to the genius of Oscar Peterson, whose ballad “Wheatland” receives a joyful and inspired reprise. A “maniacal listener,” as producer Marco Pennisi describes him, Başar also ventures confidently into the modernism of Hancock and Cedar Walton, and even tackles McCoy Tyner’s “Inception” and Michel Petrucciani’s “Chloe Meets Gershwin.” He approaches each piece without reverence or fear, exploring it with a keen mix of curiosity, intelligence and youthful energy.

The surprise continues with his rendition of the only non-piano tune in the set, Wes Montgomery’s “Full House,” handled with equal assurance.

Is a star born? Perhaps – but time will tell. For now, as Luca Conti notes in the liner notes, “Let’s enjoy this excellent performance with little talk and lots of music.”

– Ivo Franchi

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