Yes, there it is again, the Kazakh lullaby, the love song, the dirge. There it is, but new, different. One wonders how Saadet Türköz conjures up such richness out of the almost childish simplicity of some melodies. The answer can only be this: she trusts her voice. And the many voices around her. She is consciously part of the Kazakh folk-music tradition, from which she also gets her improvisational talent (which is not at all a paradox). – Saadet comes from a Kazakh family from eastern Turkistan, which was annexed by China (along with its capital Urumchi) and now belongs to the province of Sinkiang. Her parents fled to Istanbul, where Saadet was born. She has been living in Zurich for a long time now. The paths of her musical self-discovery are as complex as the geographical and cultural coordinates of her origin. In her sensitive move «back to the roots,» Saadet Türköz keeps getting closer and closer to herself.

Cover Art and Photos: Videostills by Pipilotti Rist
Graphic Design: Jonas Schoder
Liner Notes: Ilma Rakusa

Compositions by Saadet Türköz/Traditionals, except 5 by Sayan Akmolda and 10 by Kars¸ iga Ahmediyar. Recorded at Kazakstan Records Almaty (1, 4a, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) by Galymzhan Sekey · Alym Baigarin Sound Group Almaty (2, 3, 6, 10) by Askar Dastanov, Nikita Fomin · Midi School of Music Beijing by James Clark, Xieming, Zhang Sheng Guang (14) Recorded 04/05 Almaty, Kasakhstan and Beijing, China. Mixed and Mastered by Martin Pearson 2005. Produced by Saadet Türköz and Intakt Records. Published and Copyright: Intakt Records. Executive Production: Patrik Landolt and Saadet Türköz