Mercan Dede is pioneering links between Turkish Sufism and contemporary Western electronic music. Dede, born Akin Alical, actually exists as two musicians - as Mercan Dede he is now renowned as one of the world's foremost Turkish Sufi musicians, each year travelling globally to work with dervish musicians. And as Arkin Allen he can be found as a DJ at rave events across North America where he specialises in hard techno beats.
Dede is Turkish born but has resided for some time in Montreal. As a musician and producer he subtly fuses the Eastern spiritual traditions of Sufi music with contemporary ambient sounds to create a unique mix of old and new, sacred and secular, East and West. An adherent of Sufi spirituality, Dede brings his holistic understanding of sound, the rhythms of nature and of the universe to his interpretations of Sufi maqams, as well as to his original compositions. Dede is an accomplished musician, playing the ney (reed flute), bendir, frame drum, zarp and udu drum, and has produced and played on four solo recordings: Sufi Dreams (1997), Journey of a Dervish (1999), Seyahatname (2001), and NAR (2002). He has also worked as a producer and performed live with the likes of Peter Murphy, Natasha Atlas, Omar Sosa, Maharaja (formerly Musafir) and Groove Ala Turca.
The Mercan Dede Ensemble, founded in 1997, represents the culmination of Dede's extensive musical experience over the past decade, both in Turkey and North America. The ensemble includes both Turkish and Canadian musicians in its fluid line-up.
Dede believes the traditional Sufi understanding of music as a means to uplift and harmonize the soul is reflected in the rave/nightclub scenes of Europe and North America. Dede's ability to mix Eastern rhythms with house and techno beats has found him playing everywhere from underground raves to Womex in Essen. The word 'dervish' means threshold; a Turkish newspaper recently suggested Dede was a "dervish for the modern world."
Garth Cartwright, October 2003
Read other peoples comments
Emel from Germany
I first recognized Mercan Dede at the movie "Crossing the Bridge" from Fatih Akin. And I had the oppotunity to see him live on Stage. His music is a wonderful mix between traditional turkish music and modern beats and rhytm
Sun Nov 27 18:10:42 2005
fulya
Mercan Dede is the best musician I have ever listened.There is something bout the music that makes u feel like u are in dream world... It's awesome!!!
Fri Sep 16 11:18:02 2005
Attila
I think his music is truely unique, mystical, awe-inspiring and wonderous with a pinch of pure dreamy relaxation. It still connects with the modern world however and so helps to mix the two in an extraordinary successful type of music.
Being a European Turk myself he really embodies the Turkish spirit for me, which whilst embracing Europe does not let go of our Turanic roots and keeps them alive in such a great way that all Europeans can enjoy, great!
Fri Jun 3 16:31:30 2005
Bahar
sensitive amazaing perfect:)))
I love you mercan dede
Wed Jun 1 13:25:13 2005
Ruth Cornell
It's amazing, wonderful and so sensitive. Great sound, i've been shocked
Wed Jan 26 03:37:01 2005
mustafa tekdas from turkey,ankara
I believe that Mercan dede is the best Musician I've ever listened.Mercan dede will win.
Fri Jan 14 09:20:49 2005
Ercan
Well..He made good mixture of Sufi music and techno,sure its mostly team work,we should congratulate them for starting a revolt on music planet! i agree with relaxing music comment too,thats absolutely right and my favorite song is "Fire Drums". Keep up the good work M.Dede
Sun Jan 2 22:12:47 2005
max
Excellent,keep up the good work
Sun Jan 2 07:45:59 2005
Hakan
Magical, amazing and touching!
Sun Dec 5 08:00:24 2004
Tansel Hancer
Mercan dede rulzzzzzzzzzzz!!!
i m glad to see that u r understand our music.
Fri Dec 3 19:31:03 2004
Asya
He is the one of the most profeesional musician which I've listened.When you listen him you travel through the sufism.Mercan dede is excellent,shortly.
Mon Nov 29 13:54:59 2004
bahar
with one word;perfect!
Sat Aug 7 16:29:54 2004
Nil
He is amazing!! I had chance to listen him alive,im amazed!And i love the sounds of Turkish music with west!!Hope to hear new record
Wed Jul 28 14:18:51 2004
Robert Shrigley
Was introduced to your music in Istanbul.Following the Sufi path now.Hope to hear more of your work.
Sun Jun 27 14:49:35 2004
Katerina
I've been to his concert last year in Skopje-Macedonia and I can say that it was simply unforgetable wonderful experiance.
Sat May 15 10:22:07 2004
onur dede
Mercan Dede. "Super star". "Wonderful people". Succesful Mercan Dede.
Thu Apr 15 15:20:29 2004
Edward Rumble
WOW Fantastic I Have Not Heared Anythink Like It Before I Foundout About This Band On The 大象传媒 World Music Awards He Deserved To Win A Award!! Hope He Is Up For Nomination Next Year. How Come This Band Is Not Even Played On Turkish Radio Stations??? Tebrikler Mercan Dede!!
Mon Mar 15 01:51:34 2004
ozhan gursoy
different,extraordinary,mystic...everybody must listen
Wed Mar 10 10:13:05 2004
Mat le coq
wonderfull!!!!!
Sat Feb 21 17:15:31 2004
Gokhan
I have seen his live performance!! and that night was like a dream!!
Sun Feb 1 18:44:59 2004
sumru ozgul
it's wonderfull... 谋 love him...
Thu Jan 29 03:31:01 2004
bayram
i'm from turkey..
Mercan dede is a real star....
Wed Jan 28 14:20:27 2004
FILIZ YURTTASER
HE IS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND HIS MUSIC IS VERY RELAXING
Tue Jan 20 11:36:46 2004
ylber
one of the best musicians these days.I'm sorry Mercan but sometimes I use your music for some of my short films :)
Tue Jan 6 19:50:54 2004
