Having had a nibble of Coup deBam's warm, spicy sound on their "Seirenes/Esta Direccion" single, it was a happy day when their self-titled, debut full-length arrived. Recorded in Vienna, Istanbul and Hamburg, Coup deBam is a cosmopolitan fusion of styles that must affectionately be categorized as downtempo pop...for all the right reasons.

1. Find Me (feat. Barbara Bandi)
2. Love Taksim (feat. Barbara Bandi)
3. Esta Direccion
4. Too Soon (feat. Madita)
5. Thanks (feat. Barbara Bandi)
6. Mellow M. (feat. Cloud Tissa)
7. Trackless
8. Oynasana
9. Seirenes (feat. Ahmet Misirli)
10. Shimdi

Although this is Coup deBam's debut work, it's not the first time writing for the bands members. Özden Öksüz and Metin Yilmaz were part of MC Sultan along with Vlado dZihan and Mario Kamien (better known as dZihan & Kamien). Özden and Metin, together with Wilko Goriany, are Coup deBam.

While both tracks on their previous single were essentially instrumental, I'd characterize their full-length as vocal work, featuring the talents of Barbara Bandi (who appears on numerous tracks), Madita, Cloud Tissa and Ahmet Misirli.

With influences of jazz, Turkish classical, Arabesque, hip-hop, dub and western-style pop, Coup deBam's sound is unique. The lead track "Find Me" features the jazz vocal style of Barbara Bandi over a uniquely Turkish/Austrian influenced double bass line and fluttering string accents. Light acoustic guitar provides an ambient backdrop throughout the song that, given more than a few spins, will leave its vocal chorus in your head for days.

The next track, "Love Taksim", has a winding double bass groove and rich melodic harmonies punctuated by synth bass and recurring vocal-instrumental choruses. Again, Barbara Bandi provides the voice that ranges from distantly ethereal to upfront and crunchy with distortion. The influence here is a stylized form of bossa nova mixed with the intricate, fluttering strings of Turkish music.

"Too Soon" is a subtle, beautiful track featuring a duet between Özden and Madita. The percussion here is minimal, with a brushed snare style, while the vocal melodies unfold slowly and delicately over a slow double bass line and twinkling xylophone/bell keys. (taking poetic license) "Too Soon" gives you a feeling of longing, as if perhaps, two lovers find dawn is rising all too soon.

"Mellow M." featuring the suitably mellow rap of African born Cloud Tissa (aka Claude Nise Rugwiro), who now resides in Vienna, is where the trio explore their hip-hop, dub and reggae influences. The lyrics are a bilingual experience combining English with what is possibly a Swahili dialect (yes, I'm completely guessing) spoken in Mombassa where Cloud Tissa grew up. The sound is very reminiscent of label-mate Cay Taylan.

Although each of these mentioned tracks are vocal, there are several instrumental songs as well, and all share the same combination of near eastern and western musical influences. As with the amalgamated culture of Turkey itself, Coup deBam blend all of their influences into something uniquely beautiful.

For those open to more than sequenced dancefloor cuts, and are inclined to a spicy, warm, exotic flavor with western pop accents, don't overlook Coup deBam.

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This album was released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on February 3, 2006, and April 14, 2006 for the rest of the world.

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