Orhan Demir is a speedy, adept modern jazz guitarist whose second album may well give him the clout he needs to progress faster and further than he has so far. His accompanists (drummer Barry Elmes of Time Warp and busy freelance bassist Neil Swainson) give him sensitive and rock - solid support, and the longer pieces (Swainsong and Infinity) allow everyone to stretch out and solo with time to spare. The guitarist, meanwhile, owes a debt to the great acoustic/electric players of the past, and respectful glances in the different directions of Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery can only be applauded.

Coda Magazine

Orhan Demir's "North West" places cutting edge harmonic explorations within a traditional guitar-bass-drums format. As Demir's guitar tone shifts between that of Gabor Szabo and John Abercrombie, and his rapid fire technique rivals the almost incredible intensity of John McLaughlin. As his improvisations blaze across the fretboard, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Barry Elmes miraculously mange to keep up. Demir's compositions typically contain a fast intricate guitar-bass unison line. As he zips through "Satellite Service" hummingbird like, flitting from idea to idea, you realize that he's not exactly what you would call a swinging, rhythm section player. His flight-of-the-bumblebee penchant sometimes makes one wish for a bit more melodicism - as he capably exhibits in Infinity. Based on a trance-inducing bass line recalling Coltranes "A Love Supreme", "Infinity" grows climatically before dissolving into chaos. Barry Elmes, tastefully complementing the others, always attunes himself to the overall balance. Neil Swainson's bass, natural and woody, voices his agile solos as he shapes them into nicely-rounded arcs, interlocking his rhythms with Demir's. The Orhan Demir trio reaps the reward of apparently having played together for some time. Its members interact with sensitivity and imagination.
by Paul Baker