Arkın Ilıcalı had been a working musician under the name Mercan Dede for some time when he put together his first ensemble in 1997—the moment his career really began to take off. Also sometimes credited as DJ Arkin Allen, Dede is skilled across numerous disciplines, including playing ney (a Middle Eastern flute) and bendir (a frame drum) as well as being an accomplished DJ. Accordingly, his back catalogue is one of huge diversity, from the atmospheric and ambiguous “Garip” and “Meçhul” to the relaxed attitude of “Nar-ı Cem” and the engaging storytelling of “Captive”.