Although Anadolu occasionally lapses into fusion clichés, it is a fine example of pianist Aydin Esen's budding compositional prowess and highly advanced harmonic sense. Literally a Young Turk (he was 30 at the time of the recording), Esen exhibits a restless spirit. He moves between an acoustic jazz quartet ("Song for Santisi," "All of a Sudden"), a larger ensemble ("Anadolu," "Café Bouquet," "Love's Haunts"), enormously complex solo piano work ("The Way In"), and even a piece for piano, cello, oboe, and English horn (the somewhat overwrought "Crystalline"). The supporting musicians need no introduction: bassists Anthony Jackson and Dave Holland, drummer Peter Erskine, percussionist Mino Cinelu, saxophonists Dave Liebman and Bob Mintzer, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and trombonist Dave Bargeron. Randy Kartiganer contributes wordless vocals on the Latin-tinged "Passages." Esen's keen sense of thematic development can manifest itself implicitly, as when he reprises the melody of "Anadolu" briefly during "The Way In," or explicitly, as in his finely wrought trilogy "The Roll of Time," the final movement of which is a minute-long duet with Dave Holland. His piano playing is rhythmically unpredictable and unrelentingly virtuosic, yet with no lack of emotional power. Despite the considerable promise indicated by this album, Esen would not again record for Columbia, and as of this writing hasn't been heard from nearly enough. ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide
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