Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions continues to peel back little layers of their upcoming new album, Istanbul Sessions: Mahalle, set to release in January. The seven-track offering is a mesmerising sonic cartography of Turkey’s cultural capital.

The quartet transforms Istanbul’s neighbourhoods into cinematic soundscapes where tradition breathes with contemporary fire. Ersahin’s lyrical sax playing dances between Alp Ersonmez’s deep bass, Izzet Kizil’s hypnotic percussion and Turgut Alp Bekoglu’s rhythmic drums. It’s jazz sophistication and Eastern mystique.

Tracks like the already heard, ‘Galata’ and ‘Karaköy’ pulse with the city’s ancient-modern duality—hypnotic, atmospheric, and utterly transportive.

This new one, titled ‘Yeditepe’, is filled to the brim with gorgeously rich and rocky instrumentation: from subtle percussive textures, driving bass and powerful drums, all topped off by Lianne’s soaring saxophone, which sings with pure power and clarity.

‘Yeditepe’ is all kinds of jazz-rock-fusion fun. It’s master-level eclecticism that transcends borders, capturing the never-sleeping city through rhythm and groove.

Oh, by the way, the album drops on January 16th—coincidentally, my birthday—so perhaps I’ll treat myself to an early gift!