AMS Records is very proud to welcome the return of the newly reformed ASIA MINOR with a new studio record: “Points of Libration”, Asia Minor’s third opus, will be a new flagship for AMS, whose catalogue already hosts foreign bands such as All Traps on Earth, or celebrities from the seventies as Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno, Locanda delle Fate and Maxophone.
Asia Minor is a Franco-Turkish progressive rock band led by two Turkish musicians who settled in Paris as students back in the ’70s: Setrak Bakirel (vocals & guitar) and Eril Tekeli (flute & guitar). Their early music revealed influences such as King Crimson’s “In the Court of the Crimson King”, Jethro Tull’s “Stand Up”, Camel, Focus and Jade Warrior’s first albums. Their brilliant Progressive Rock is deeply mixed with rhythms and atmospheres from traditional Turkish music. “Crossing the Line” (1979) and “Between Flesh and Divine” (1980) are generally considered as some of the best international successes for the genre. Beautiful themes, strong and original, are intertwined with subtle arrangements, enhanced by a nostalgic and soulful singing. The nervous and airy flute parts underline the guitar raucous and lyrical notes. A melancholic and sometimes furious music, with lyrics mainly sung in English - and occasionally in Turkish.
Spurred by the unwavering support from fans around the world, the band decided to reconvene in 2013, giving live concerts and composing new music that would be featured in their forthcoming third album. Keeping the band’s distinctive mix between Western & Eastern influences, this new work proves that, even after so many years, Asia Minor remain faithful to their style and nothing of their creativeness, stamina and originality has been lost. In addition to the two original members, the current line-up includes Evelyne Kandel on bass, Micha Rousseau on keyboards and Julien Tekeyan on drums.
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AMS Records è orgogliosa di ospitare nella propria scuderia la leggenda del progressive internazionale ASIA MINOR, band franco-turca di recente riunita dopo molti anni di inattività. Il loro nuovo album in studio, “Points of Libration”, è un nuovo fiore all’occhiello per AMS, che ha già avuto modo di ospitare in catalogo band straniere come All Traps on Earth o celebrità degli anni ’70 come Raccomandata Ricevuta Ritorno, Locanda delle Fate e Maxophone.
Gli Asia Minor sono nati nel 1973 per volontà di Setrak Bakirel (voce e chitarra) ed Eril Tekeli (flauto e chitarra), due musicisti turchi che studiavano a Parigi. Innamorati di dischi come “In the Court of the Crimson King” dei King Crimson e “Stand Up” dei Jethro Tull, di band come Camel, Focus e Jade Warrior, i due immaginano un progressive profondamente immerso in ritmi e atmosfere della musica tradizionale turca. Debuttano nel 1979 con “Crossing the Line” e bissano l’anno seguente con “Between Flesh and Divine”, due album unanimemente apprezzati nel panorama prog internazionale. Melodie affascinanti, incisive e originali, arrangiamenti delicati, un canto nostalgico ed espressivo, parti di flauto vibranti e melodiche che sottolineano le chitarre più cupe o i momenti più lirici, una miscela malinconica, a volte rabbiosa, con testi in inglese e a volte anche in turco.
Spronati dall’incrollabile sostegno dei fan di tutto il mondo, nel 2013 gli Asia Minor sono tornati insieme con alcuni concerti e con nuove composizioni destinate al terzo album “Points of Libration”. Dopo tanti anni di silenzio gli Asia Minor ribadiscono finalmente la peculiarità della loro proposta, fedeli ad uno stile distintivo che miscela rock sinfonico e Oriente. Accanto ai due fondatori Bakirel e Tekeli troviamo Evelyne Kandel (basso), Micha Rousseau (tastiere) e Julien Tekeyan (batteria).
credits
released January 29, 2021
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Copie fisiche dell'album in formato CD papersleeve e LP sono disponibili a questi link / Physical copies in papersleeve CD and LP format are available at these links:
supported by 23 fans who also own “Points of Libration”
The new live EP by Ryan W. Stevenson's project reminded me, that this debut album must have been gone down the wishlist... If instrumental Canterbury stuff is your thing, this should be a no-brainer. Firmly rooted in the past (late 60s, 70s), nevertheless with a fresh sound. Guests incude The Tangent's Andy Tillison and Soft Machine's Theo Travis. Carsten Pieper
supported by 22 fans who also own “Points of Libration”
Mysterious, yet nostalgic, Isolubilia is truly an ode to the romance found in the pursuit of a mystery. Musically rich in turbulence and serenity, majesty and humbleness, this album made me feel both lonely, yet understood as an isolated individual. Perhaps we're all fellow romantics, looking up at the same night sky, trying to wring our own meaning out of the stars. I hope that pursuit never ends. The John
supported by 22 fans who also own “Points of Libration”
This might be the least folky of the Wobbler releases and I wasn't sure about it at all.
After a few listens however I'm loving the inventiveness and the endless melodies, all driven along by Kristian Hultgren's wonderful percussive bass. PartTimeZombie
The Long Island metal band's third album etches arena-sized hooks into their jagged compositions, deftly balancing experimental and poppy inclinations. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 12, 2022
supported by 20 fans who also own “Points of Libration”
This is a fantastic, cinematic listen of precise movements and virtuosic rhythmic switch ups. Zero dull moments, a rollercoaster ride of prog rock. Egg Wizard