Description
She may be making her first appearance on NuNorthern Soul, but Zeynep Erbay is no newcomer. A classically trained pianist who took a turn towards the dancefloor while at university, the Turkish DJ/producer earned her first release on Compost Records way back in 2007 after taking part in 2006’s Red Bull Music Academy programme. Since then, her career has been on an upwards trajectory, with releases on Fools Gold and Soul Clap Records confirming Erbay as a genuine rising star of underground electronic music.
On the Healer EP, the Istanbul-based producer showcases the more atmospheric, sun-kissed end of her productions, taking a turn away from synth-powered, disco-leaning club tracks towards something more suitable for al-fresco events, sun-down sets, and sofa-bound listening sessions.
Inspired by a poem inscribed on the back cover of the EP, Erbay’s two original instrumental tracks simply ooze with emotion. The poem tells the story of a whale searching for her family while helping others along the way, which acts as a metaphor for our wider search for belonging and acceptance.
This aural narrative unfolds firstly across ‘Heart of a Healer’, a slowly unfurling stunner in which emotion-rich chords, gentle electronic melodies and Erbay’s poignant and picturesque piano motifs, gently rise above a chunky dub disco bassline and mid-tempo, triple-time drums.
Delving further, the effortlessly emotional, life-affirming composition ‘Healer Whale’, where Erbay’s impeccable piano playing ushers in languid, jazz-flecked drums, dubby bass, sumptuous synth-strings and colourful, slow-moving chords.
On remix dutires, NYC-based Italian Danilo Braca, who also mastered the release, provides a fine club-focused fix of ‘Heart of a Healer’, laced with crunchy machine drums and undulating TB-303 acid lines. NuNorthern Soul regular Marshall Watson handles ‘Healer Whale’, first delivering a fine ‘Remix’ version that effortlessly blurs the boundary between dub disco and Balearic nu-disco, before serving up a shorter, ambient ‘Reprise’ version.
DJ Feedback:
GLENN UNDERGROUND
Very Heavy, Nice!
DOMENIC CAPPELLO/ SUB CLUB
Loving the strings on heart of a healer getting all emosh.
SEAN JOHNSON/ ALFOS
Lovely release.
DAMIAN LAZARUS / CROSSTOWN REBELS
Wow.
JKRIV / RAZOR-N-TAPE
Whole release is very nice, both originals and remixes.
BILL BREWSTER / DJ HISTORY
Like the two originals best x
EDDIE C/ RED MOTORBIKE
Marshall Watson remix is superb!
MASSIMILIANO PAGLIARA
This is super lovely!
PETE HERBERT/ DISCO DEVIANCE
Superb! Quality productions all round.. remixes are all spot on too
RICHARD DORFMEISTER/ KRUDER DORFMEISTER
Sweet summer EP.
HOT TODDY/ CRAZY P
I like both versions of Heart of a Healer very much
SUB CLUB HARRI
Another winner, great stuff
CRAIG SMITH/ 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT
This is nice, really digging the Danilo Braca remix.
RAVANELLI DISCO CLUB
Amazing !
CLAAP! / SYLVAIN
Nice one! Love the Danilo Braca remix but the whole vibe is great.
MAX ESSA/ BONOBO JAPAN
Beautiful music! I think my pick of the bunch is ‘Heart of A Healer (Original)’.
ROCKY/ EXPRESS 2
It’s the 2 Marshall Watson mixes for me. The reprise especially.
FISH GO DEEP/ SHANE JOHNSON
Really like the originals here… a wide open sound with lovely melodies working off one another. Fine remixes too.
PHONK .D
Beautiful EP, Heart of a Healer took us on a trip.
EDDIE RAMICH / SONAR KOLLEKTIV
Cool release
DANIELE MOORE/ CRAZY P
Beautiful love it, really lush
JONA JEFFRIES/ APERSONAL
Phil and NNS are always on point. ‘Heart of a Healer’ is my favourite. Stunning Balearica.
ALI HERRON/ OOFT
The usual quality coming from Nunorthern Soul is present here. Especially digging the Marshall Watson versions
JON TATTERSAL/ MUSIC FOR DREAMS
This is a beauty.
BILLY SCURRY
Healer Whale is so gorgeous , the MW mix bringing it into classic Balearic territory vibe. The DB mix is beautifully deep
MELON BOMB
Loving the Marshall Watson Remixes
WE ARE THE SUNSET / ANDY TAYLOR
Strong ep… feeling the original material & remixes with Marshall’s take on Healer Whale taking top spot.
MATT BROWN/ SANCHO PANZA
I’ve had this on repeat for a while this morning, Really beautiful emotive music…
NEIL DIABLE/ EL DIABLOS SOCIAL CLUB
Beautiful release. Particularly love the remixes.
MR SHIVER / SOZE DOESN’T MATTER
NuNorthern Soul is one of my favourite labels This release continues to prove why
SAMANTHA BAAG/ MUSIC FOR DREAMS
Bravo, superb! Been loving Zeynap’s work. Beautiful sweeping arpeggios and soothing piano sounds. Another beauty from NNS
