About Points of Libration:
“
Beautiful themes, strong and original, with subtle arrangements, enhanced by a nostalgic and soulful singing. -- AMS Records
”
“
Les lignes mélodiques étonnantes et la superbe musicalité de cet album sont une belle redécouverte ou une bonne introduction au monde d’Asia Minor!
- progcritique.com
”
“
ASIA MINOR vuelve a ser una realidad concreta dentro del escenario progresivo mundial; “Points Of Libration” es su manifiesto claro e inconfundible sobre el tipo de vitalidad creativa del cual aún dispone esta ilustre entidad musical. [...] ahora hay algo más en el currículum vitae de ASIA MINOR que dignifica ese hermoso legado a cabalidad. De lo mejor de este año que recién
- Cesar Inca /autopoietican.blogspot.com
”
NEWS & TOUR
STAY TUNED ON THIS WEBSITE OR FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
Exclusive booking agent worldwide (outside France): Eyüp S. Iblağ - eyup.iblag@majormusic.com.tr
French booking agency: Splintering Booking - splinteringbooking@gmail.com
CROSSING THE LINE, 1979
“Their music oscillates between that of KING CRIMSON era In The Court Of The Crimson King, JETHRO TULL era Stand Up, FOCUS or even the first albums of JADE WARRIOR. This excellent Progressive rock album is strongly tinged with rhythms and moods inherited from the traditional music of Asia Minor, present-day Turkey."
BETWEEN FLESH & DIVINE, 1980
"Generally regarded by specialists as one of the best international work of its kind. Sublime, percussive and original themes blend intimately with the intricate arrangements on which builds a nostalgic and serious song. The limpid, fluid and nervous melodies of the flute punctuate the notes of the distorted or lyrical guitar. This is an album with dark echoes, often melancholy, sometimes angry."
POINTS OF LIBRATION, 2020
The group's 3rd album Points of Libration. After their reunion in 2013 and a few concerts the initial duo helped by 3 new musicians released the album in December 2020.
DISCOGRAPHY
ABOUT
ASIA MINOR is a Franco-Turkish progressive rock band, led by two Turkish musicians who settled in Paris as students back in the 70’s: Setrak BAKIREL (vocals & guitar) and Eril TEKELI (flute & guitar). They were quickly joined by Lionel BELTRAMI (drums & percussions), followed by Robert KEMPLER (keyboards & bass) 2 years later. Their early music revealed influences such as KING CRIMSON's "In The Court Of The Crimson King", JETHRO TULL's "Stand Up", CAMEL, FOCUS, or JADE WARRIOR's first albums. Their brilliant Progressive Rock is deeply mixed with rhythms and atmospheres from traditional Turkey's music. "Crossing the Line" (1979) and "Between Flesh and Divine" (1980) are generally considered as some of the best international successes for the genre. Beautiful themes, strong and original, are intricated with subtle arrangements, enhanced by a nostalgic and soulful singing. The flute's nervous and airy parts underline guitar's raucous or lyrical notes. A melancholic and sometimes furious music, with texts mainly written in English (and occasionally in Turkish).
Spurred by the unwavering support from fans around the world, the band decided to reconvene in 2013, giving live concerts and composing new music resulting in their 3rd album, "Points of Libration", with co-founders Eril and Setrak being joined by Evelyne KANDEL on bass, Micha ROUSSEAU on keyboards and Julien TEKEYAN on drums. While keeping the band’s distinctive mix between Western & Eastern influences, this album explores new horizons such as a more extensive usage of keyboards and sound effects. In addition to its 2 founding members, the current stage line-up includes Evelyne KANDEL on bass, Robert KEMPLER back on keyboards and Camille BIGEAULT on drums.
