Meltem Ege SOLITUDE

June 19, 2025

MELTEM EGE

SOLITUDE

Independent Label

Meltem Ege, vocals/composer/lyricist. LOS ANGELES SESSION: Theo Bleckmann, vocals; Derek Bomback, guitar/composer; Miller Wrenn, double Bass; Matthew Elton Smith, drums; Sarpay Özҫağatay, flute STRINGS: Rachel Iba, violin 1; Alejandra Moreno, violin II; Carson Rick, viola; Betsy Rettig, cello. ISTANBUL SESSIONS: Őnder Focan, guitar; Ozan Musluoğlu, double bass; Serkan Alagők, drums; Sarpay Özҫağatay, flute; Senova Űlker, trumpet; Bulut Gülen, trombone.

The opening composition, written by Meltem Ege, is a great song that sounds a lot like the changes to “Miles Ahead.” However, it reflects its own melody, with tasty, unexpected intervals. She has titled it, “Anlayana.”

“I chose to open the album with ‘Anlayana’ because it sets the tone for everything I wanted ‘Solitude’ to represent. …The lyrics weave between English and Turkish, mirroring how my thoughts sound when I’m anxious, layers of language and culture, overlapping and tangled. As caregivers, women are often discouraged from caring for themselves emotionally. This song is a reminder that we can let go of those expectations and trust that those who truly understand us will still be there,” Meltem explained.

The flute of Sarpay Özҫağatay adds lovely flavor to the arrangement of “We Must Not Say Yes.” This tune features the warm vocals of Theo Bleckmann blending effectively with Meltem Ege. This original song crosses over from jazz to pop. The title tune, “Solitude” features an arrangement full of exciting breaks and descant voicings.

This album was recorded in both the United States and the country of Turkey. Ege is a blend of two cultures. She was born in New York and lived in the States until she was ten years old, when her family returned to Turkey. She brings a strong cultural presence to her music. On “Solitude,” she layers her voice and sings various lines of music in a classical choir-type of arrangement. Interestingly, she sings half the music in Turkish and the other half in English.

On the swinging tune titled, “Aklinda Kalmasin” (that translates to “Keep it in Mind”), she sings in Turkish. The Turkish band is fire, with bassist, Ozan Musluoğlu, walking briskly beneath the guitar groove. Meltem Ege is not afraid to show her scat chops, and she certainly knows how to ‘swing,’ be it in English or Turkish. This quickly becomes one of my favorite tunes.

The strings make a beautiful entrance on the song “Dawn.” Meltem Ege is quite artistic. She has included the peep of a bird to introduce the string section. This arrangement melts beneath the fiery guitar solo of Derek Bombeck, turning the arrangement into rock, with the steady propelling drums of Matthew Elton Smith.

Ege dips into Brazilian jazz on “Seninle Dans,” and this style of jazz suits her light, bright soprano tone. She sings this samba in Turkish. The tune was co-written by Lucas Longaresi, who she met while studying at CalArts. Meltem also collaborated with Utar Artun, a faculty member at Berklee College in Boston on the tune called “Eyes of Innocence.”

This is a fresh, new artist who brings her inner child to the project, showing us wild creativity and mad talent, along with a certain innocence that we only find in children. I find this project not only entertaining, but genuinely interesting and unique. Meltem brings something delicious to the jazz table and invites us to sit down and enjoy.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil