Photo: Blues Attack by Fatih Metin Demirkol
By Martine Ehrenclou
Powerhouse funk/rock blues band Blues Attack nails down a compelling debut album, Bringing Down The House out November 26th. This genre-bending five-piece ensemble rolls in with a fresh, contemporary sound with killer groove at the heart of every note. Packed with rich horn and backing vocal arrangements, smooth yet raw lead vocals, and superb musicianship, this album is only the beginning for this talented band.
Blues Attack creates an extraordinary and unique blend of funk/rock and blues/rock, dipping into a variety of styles. The band is innovative, different, with layers of sound, crazy good guitar, and a rhythm section that’s seamless and tight.
From Istanbul, Turkey, the band is made up of in-demand session musicians, Sezen Köroğlu (keyboards), Tarkan Mumkule (guitars) and Batur Yurtsever (bass) who for 25 years backed the top artists in Istanbul, filling stadiums and opening for none other than The Rolling Stones and Metallica.
Prominent musicians in the Turkish blues scene, Güray Oskay (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Hasan Ali Polat (drums) joined the other three in 2017 and the group was formed.
Blues Attack quickly established a wide fan base in Turkey and made their international debut at the North City Jazz and Blues festival in Kosovo. When the world shut down with Covid-19 restrictions, the band made use of that time to compose and record 10 original tracks featuring a varied palette of heavy blues/rock to hip-shaking funk. They brought in the following guest musicians for the album: Serkan Emre Çiftçi (trumpet), Özgür Şengül (saxophone) Göksenin Tuncalı (backing vocals) Bengisu Öcal (backing vocals) Pelin Özülkü (backing vocals) Burak Ocakçı (harmonica.)
Album opener “Once And For All” is a rocking slice of funky blues-rock with wah-soaked guitar hooks, tight drumming and bass with a full horn section. With gritty, smooth vocals, Güray Oskay has a firm grip on rhythm with his phrasing. About taking one’s heart back from someone who doesn’t deserve it, the horn section is on full tilt here, weaving through the chorus of backing singers. Tasty guitar hooks grace this tune, leading into a killer guitar solo, soulful with intentioned space between the notes.
Part of what’s so interesting about this band is the use of horns and polyphonic backing singers to create textured walls of sound. There’s a lot going on with Blues Attack, and musical sophistication on several of the tracks, is one of them.
More of a contemporary blues/rock feel swings in on “In For The Kill” with solid drumming (Hassan Ali Polat) and bass (Batur Yurtsever.) Vocalist Oskay puts his all into this rocking number about a woman who uses her charms to entice. The horn section once again plays a prominent role, riding the chord changes while interesting percussion and organ permeate the background. And just when you thought the best of guitar was behind you, a ripping slide guitar solo punches through. All on top of a great rhythm.
Blues Attack’s old school funk tune, “I Need Time” features one of the best horn sections I’ve heard, reminiscent of the great Maceo Parker’s style. Speaking of horns, Özgür Şengül plays one helluva sax solo on this low down and dirty funk number with expert funky bass.
Listen to “Once And For All”
Title track, “Bringing Down The House” is funk/rock with a full-fledged chorus of singers and punchy horns. The lead vocals almost take a back seat and gives way to distinct and soulful female singers who take their turns in the spotlight. With funky percussion, slamming keys, a bass player and drummer who have this down, syncopation is the name of the game. I can’t think of any other band that sounds like this.
A couple of songs stray from the funk/rock blues concept, entering into 80s pop/rock territory that suit Oskay’s voice in Flock of Seagulls fashion. As is the case with certain debut albums, Bringing Down The House offers a variety of genres.
“Reaper On Wheels” is heavy blues/rock winner. Guitar distortion, stomping drums, and a chorus of powerful singers (or double tracking- to great effect) slam this killer song that hints of Gary Clark Jr’s “Come Together.” Monster guitar riffs wind their way through this beast. The band is on fire.
Blues Attack is a band to watch. Keep them on your radar. If Bringing Down The House is any indication of their career trajectory, they’re destined to hit the big time.
Blues Attack Online
They are great. I bet that they would be fun to see live!
Conrad,
Glad you like them. Yes, I think they would be fun to see live.
Very interesting group. It’s always interesting to hear another country’s take on the blues. They always add their own twist to this universal music. Love the layers they add!