SKHAN’s label is a federation of artists and musicians that produce many bands and shows…
Skhan, Asik Ismail, Alev Trio, Wotan, and more, share their musical universe which goes from world music to Turkish traditional music, oriental Jazz and Blues with Wotan…
"A REBEL WITH NO CULTURE IS LIKE A RIFLE WITH NO BULLETS..." "Ismaïl"
"...when Ismail’s saz teacher Talip gave him his first dombra, it didn’t take long to find its potential. The Kazakh sound was hidden in the melodies of the Turks, and Ismail, a true musical talent, was able to tease it out. Playing this instrument of Central Asia, a land he’s never known with his own eyes or ears, Ismail manages to sound like a natural. His dombra lines, though simple, are well-articulated and sincere. They would make any Kazakh proud.
Ismail’s story, of Tunisia and Melanesia, France and Turkey, Jamaica and Kazakhstan, has made for the kind of cultural hodgepodge that I find irresistible. It allows for that most stimulating of musical fusions, of far-away sounds getting to know each other, meeting on equal terms and prying out potentials that might have laid dormant forever unless someone, somewhere thought, “Hm…reggae and dombra…I should give it a try.”..."
Read more:
TRIO ALEV "Urgunlar"
WOTAN "Smooth Breeze"
SKHAN « Worldwide music and culture » was create by many artists and musicians who produce many bands and shows.
One of the most important associates of Skhan’s federation is Ismail « Skhan » who is a famous singer and plays many instruments. Since his childhood, his favorite instrument is a SAZ (a sort of long neck lute from Turkey). He also grew up with Rhythm’n Blues from the 50s and 60s,which probably explains his passion for reggae music and caribbean Jazz, since he was 13 years old. In the 80s, he created his firsts bands in Paris (France) before becoming the disciple of Talip Özkan, the most famous Saz virtuosis of Turkey…smail, aka Skhan, had a rich and very moving life. He reflects perfectly the mixed influences that is reflected in his original and unique music. He has lived all around the world, from citylife to the countryside or in the bush…
He gets his inspiration from many different cultures,which he gathers to create a very particular musical universe.
The instrument he prefers is the Saz; he represents Turkish traditional music, Skhan music, Dub music, or an Ethnic Blues (Wotan). He loves all music but his heart goes to tribal ethnic musics and especially from the Pacific Ocean…
