Minor Empire

Minor Empire are a Turkish-Canadian progressive music group formed in 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Minor Empire
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresProgressive music
Years active2010 (2010)–present
LabelsWorld Trip Records
Websiteminorempire.net
MembersOzan Boz
Ozgu Ozman
Michael Occhipinti
Chris Gartner
Ben Riley
Patrick Graham
Rob Joanisse
Tamer Pinarbasi
Lina Allemano
Debashis Sinha
Past membersSelim Sesler
Ismail Hakki Fencioglu
Didem Basar

History

Minor Empire released its debut recording, Second Nature in January 2011.[1] "Second Nature" was #1 on national world music radio charts in Canada. CBC Radio and Toronto Sun music columnist Errol Nazareth noted that "the CD marks an important way forward for Turkish and world music, in general."[2]

David Dacks of Exclaim! magazine calls their debut Second Nature "successfully dreamy" and says "the record will leave you wanting to see the band live.",[3] and TJ Nelson of World Music Central describes the album as "bold, expertly worked and voluptuous."[4]

Minor Empire was formed by guitarist/composer/producer Ozan Boz and vocalist Ozgu Ozman. Their sound has been inspired by the traditional music of their homeland of Turkey. Other musicians include Michael Occhipinti (guitar), Chris Gartner (bass), Debashis Sinha (percussion) from Toronto; Ismail Hakki Fencioglu (oud) and Didem Basar (kanun) from Montreal. Istanbul-based clarinet player Selim Sesler appeared as a guest performer on the album.[5]

Their second album Uprooted,[6] was also produced by Ozan Boz. Arts Fuse critics listed Uprooted as one of "10 Best Albums of 2018 Beyond Category".[7] Critic Milo Miles (NPR, Rolling Stone, NY Times) deemed Uprooted the "Best 2018 Album".[8]

Awards
  • 2012 Independent Music Awards, Recipient of the World Artist/Group of the Year award[9]
  • 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Recipient of the World Group of the Year award[10]
  • 2018 Independent Music Awards, Nominee of the World Beat Album[11]
  • 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Nominee of the World Group of the Year award[12]

Discography
  • 2011 Second Nature
  • 2017 Uprooted

References
  1. "Second nature" (sound recording) / Minor Empire, Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada, AMICUS No. 38843166, retrieved 20 November 2011
  2. "2011 Performer Line Up". London Committee For Cross-Cultural Arts Inc. 9 July 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  3. Dacks, David (26 January 2011). "Reviews > Soul, Funk & World > Jan 26 2011". Exclaim!. Toronto: 1059434 Ontario Inc. ISSN 1207-6600. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  4. NELSON, TJ (4 February 2012). "Voluptuous Second Nature". Durham, NC. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  5. "Minor Empire Official Website". Minor Empire. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  6. Li Robbins (1 May 2018). "UPROOTED". Songlines. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  7. Rubin, Jason M (27 December 2018). "Favorite Music, Popular and Beyond, of 2018". Boston: The Arts Fuse. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  8. Miles, Milo (16 November 2018). "Best 2018 Album I Simply Cannot Articulate". Miles To Go. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  9. "Winners and Nominees 2012 World Artist/Group or Duo of the Year". Canadian Independent Music Awards. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  10. "Recipients and Nominees 2011 World Group of the Year". Toronto: Canadian Folk Music Awards. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  11. "THE 16TH INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES & WINNERS". Independent Music Awards. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  12. "Results 2018". Toronto: Canadian Folk Music Awards. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
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