Buzz' Ayaz - Buzz' Ayaz

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 1 / 2 / 2025

Label: Select Label
Format: LP

Intoxicating blend of fuzzy garage punk, traditional Greek and Turkish folk dances and dislocated synthesizers on debut album from Buzz’ Ayaz

Review

There is a groovy and gritty blend of fuzzy garage punk, traditional Greek and Turkish folk dances and dislocated synthesizer dance rhythms from Cyprus on this debut album, which was written and produced by Antonis Antoniou. It was recorded in Larnaca on the island, mixed and mastered in Greece and is released on Germany's Glitterbeat Records, 'Buzz' Ayaz' features two Greek Cypriots, one Turk and a Briton. The latter, a breezing bass clarinet player, the tenacious Will Scott, sets the pace to this pleasant journey. Ulaş Öğüç on drums builds the foundation on which Manos Stratis on keyboards and Antonis Antoniou on the tzouras, a bouzouki string instrument, find room for their pretty baffling escapades. The wild, sunny and stirring songs come like a blast, fuelled by talented bewilderment and stunning energy. Very much like B-Movie soundtrack music, Buzz' Ayaz dwells in psychedelic twang with buzzing suspense. There are lashings of fun and again this is a good find on the enterprising Glitterbeat label.