Mahalle by Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions

The new work represents the band's most cinematic offering yet, guiding listeners through a sonic exploration of Istanbul's diverse neighborhoods where tradition meets innovation and the ancient pulse of the city merges with contemporary rhythms.

Frontman Ilhan Ersahin, one of the rare moguls of the New York City underground scene through his influential club and record label Nublu, has spread his New York energy throughout the world. Whether jamming with The Red Hot Chili Peppers in São Paulo, featuring Bugge Wesseltoft at Blue Note Tokyo, or performing elegant oriental sets with Turkish gypsies in European concert halls, Ersahin continues to transcend musical boundaries with masterful eclecticism.

For this personal tribute to the city he loves, Ersahin reunites with his core Istanbul Sessions lineup: bassist and co-producer Alp Ersonmez, whose compositional voice shines on multiple tracks; drummer Turgut Alp Bekoglu, providing the rhythmic foundation; and percussionist Izzet Kizil, whose traditional textures anchor the band's east-meets-west aesthetic. Together, the quartet has crafted an album that captures the architectural diversity of Istanbul itself.

"Mahalle" - the Turkish word for neighborhood - captures the essence of Istanbul Sessions' genre-crossing artistry. The album was produced by Ersonmez and Ersahin, recorded at Babajim Istanbul under the engineering guidance of Cihan Baris, and features engineering assistance from Yazgulu Gurer, Altus Poyraz, and Alper Mert. The sonic vision was shaped by mixer Caio Carvalho and mastering engineer David McNair, resulting in a sound that is both intimate and expansive.

Since forming Istanbul Sessions in 2009 for an art event with Ersonmez, Bekoglu, and Kizil, Istanbul Sessions has ignited stages across the globe from New York to Istanbul, Paris to São Paulo, London to Skopje. What began as a one-off combo was so well received that they toured Europe, played in America, and recorded an album the following year. Their electrifying performances represent master-level musicianship meeting high eclecticism, posing questions that challenge musical categorization: Is this really jazz? Doesn't this sound like a rock band? The often-clichéd "east-to-west crossover" finds its true sense and power in the interplay between Ersahin's saxophone, Ersonmez's bass lines, Bekoglu's propulsive drumming, and Kizil's percussive textures.

The album unfolds as a carefully orchestrated cinematic journey, with the majority of tracks composed collaboratively by Istanbul Sessions, while Ersonmez showcases his individual compositional prowess on select pieces, including one co-written with Ersahin.

Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Mahalle
Release Date February 2026
Label Nublu Records

Tracklist
1. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Yedi Tepe
2. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Asmalı
3. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Galata
4. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Haliç
5. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Tünel
6. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Karaköy
7. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Odakule
8. Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions - Tersane