Turkish Freakout!

I just had a chance to check out the new Turkish Freakout compilation over the weekend. I definitely got schooled on a whole bunch of tunes I was unfamiliar with. There's some great tracks on it… there's no arguing it makes for an interesting listen. Here's two I'm feeling (the write ups in italics are borrowed from the accompanying liner notes).

Okay Temiz- "Dokuz Sekiz" (1975)

This 1975 release from Istanbul-native Okay Temiz showcases the influence of the American psychedelic jazz-fusion movement had on his music. With it's haunting saz loop opening to its killer synth bass drops, Okay creates a track textured with a broad spectrum of unique sounds. The result is a mix of western jazz sounds with Turkish instruments, like Herbie Hancock's Headhunters making a stop in Istanbul… with a few tabs of acid of course.

Ersen- Gunese Don Cicegim (1973)

They just can't make records sound like this anymore. A Simply amazing track filled with fuzz and traditional Turkish percussion effects. Like Baris, Erkin and Cem, Ersen is one of the major artists of the era. His records usually have a beat-driven sound and a mix of distortion and rhythm, as heard here. Check out the vocal track over the bare drums and bass, which sounds like a "Come Together" effect.

Here's the press release that hooked me...

Turkey is often referred to as the meeting point between East and West, a statement verified by this selection of choice Turkish grooves. The western rock, psych, funk and jazz influences that began to be incorporated into traditional Turkish sounds during the late 60s and 70s can be heard here, as the Anadolu pop sound of Turkeyma balanced these new elements with the complex sounds and rhythms developed over many years. All tracks are referenced from their original 7 inch releases, painstakingly tracked down from various sources in and around Istanbul. The marriage of these styles is original, captivating and bound to freak you out.

Available on CD and 2xLP

First 1,000 2xLP copies include a limited edition Arif Sag 7" single with vintage sleeve artwork.

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