Istanbul’s new band Orient Expressions is a collaboration between Can Utkan aka Dj Yakuza, Cem Yıldız, and Richard Hamer. The threesome combines electrophonic sensibilities with Turkish Folkish/Alevi song and instrumental forms to render a well-integrated sound that moves through polyharmonic, jazzy vibes with darbuka and traditional percussion-laden grooves. And the key position belongs to the producer Murat Uncuoglu, who has mixed these different sounds in a harmony.
In the album "Divan" many different turkish folk singers like, Sabahat Akkiraz, Aynur Dogan, Adile Yadirgi, Dilek Yildiz and Sezgi Olgac accompanies to the band.
This ethno-electronic band made a gig last year with the British punk-jazz band "Pest". Also they have been participated in a project-concert called "Doublemoon Night" and harmonized their music with the other Doublemoon Records artists like Mercan Dede and Husnu Senlendirici.