The Sufi traditions focus on the ecstatic present moment, where each breath once again begins the cycle of dying and being born. Using repetitive chants to bring on a heightened awareness of sound, the chant itself becomes music in which the actual meanings of the words become less important than the altered state the sound induces. The beginnings and ends of the tracks circle around together until the swirling vortex draws the sound into itself. Dede's meditative dream states begin from a variety of sacred sources. One may be that in the smallest grain of sand or drop of water, the whole world exists. Another is the biggest dream of all. According to Sufi philosophy, all of life is a dream, and when we die, we are actually waking up. The Middle Eastern rhytms and harmonies are entrancing. I found myself listening over and over, knowing only that I was drawn into the sounds before I looked inside the jacket to see what the songs were about.

“

Turkey-born and Canada-based Mercan Dede intertwines thoughtful down-tempo programming with Sufi devotionals to create an imaginative hybrid that honors both styles. This two-disc effort, Dede's fourth release, includes an eight-part dance piece and a second disc of live performance featuring Dede and his group Secret Tribe. Not your average dance music, "Nar" is filled with impressionistic and moody soundscapes colored with Dede's ney (flute), jazz bass, violin, ambient electronics and, occasionally, devotional lyrics. "Seyahatname" is a more upbeat version of the same format with the band adding an emotional human imprint upon the tremendous ebbs and flows programmed by Dede. Earthy and inspirational, hip and ancient, Sufi Traveler is a voyage to modern Turkey that ably reconciles the past with the present and the future. Tad Hendrickson by amazon.com

”