Review: Cenk Esen - Endlessly (XVI Records)

Are you ready for the next big thing ready to explode from the underground that'll put Erza Collective digging out their Dad's jazz fusion collection?  Are you ready for Cenk Esen's 'Endlessly'?

With tracks like 'Air Traffic Controller' out Jaco-ing Jaco and seven minutes of 'They're Just Not That Into Me Anymore' and the BRUK/Corea fused 'A&C', this has 'Monster' album all over it, I'll be amazed if Gilles Peterson doesn't champion this album and get Cenk on the WeOutHere Festival this year (see current tour dates below).

Cenk Esen may be a new name for many folks but if you've had a eye on the credits to Chaos In The CBD album's credits you'll have spotted YATM favourites / London jazz  based elites like Nathan Haines. Finn Rees and Cenk on 'The Eternal Checkout'.  Not only that, Cenk is the son of Turkish jazz-fusion keys player Aydin Esen (Ed. acorns and trees etc) so there's little surprise how good he is on piano and synths (also check '23 - Live In Istanbul') especially as he attended Berklee College before relocating to London.

Don't expect any Turkish funk-psych on this one but do expect a fantastic jazz trio with Tom Driessler (Electric Bass), "the incredible" MckNasty (Drums) plus Leyla Huysal on the single, 'Endlessly, I'm Erazed' and Dad (Aydin) with some additional synths.

This is like a nu-fusion of Maarten Goetheer's 'Suite For Chick (see review HERE) that you can do without this year.

BUY LINK: https://bfan.link/endlessly-i-m-erased

Live Dates 
13th  April - The Vincent (Hackney, London)
16-17th May - Bova (Istanbul)
29th May - 91 Living Room (London)
5th July - Love Supreme Festival
27th July - High Tide Festival
31st July - Ronnie Scott’s

Artist: Cenk Esen 
Title: Endlessly

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label: XVI Records 

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Limited LP / Digital / Bandcamp