Nekropsi ~ Turkey

Mi Kubbesi (1996)

Mi Kubbesi is the debut album from Nekropsi, one of a handful of progressive rock bands operating out of Turkey. Of course any time a band emerges from Asia Minor, the expectation is that the band in question will most assuredly blend in local indigenous musical elements. But is that really a fair ask? Of course not. We're truly global now, and if a band from Turkey wants to release an album like we have here in the United States or in England, then why can't they? As it turns out, Nekropsi's background is that of thrash metal (hence the moniker I suspect). But by the time Mi Kubbesi came out, they more or less threw out the rule book, and released something quite unique. And - a ha - fooled you with my premise above, they do incorporate some Turkish influences. More so in the rhythms and scales verse instrumentation, which stays mostly within the dual guitar-bass-drums format with some electronics thrown in (and wordless vocals and chants). There are some exceptions though, including baglama, bendir and goblet drums, and a kemenche, though again these instruments do not dominate. Other than one noticeable short death metal burst, the album stays true to progressive rock, primarily that of Red era King Crimson with some cool additional hyper drumming. At 72 minutes, the album is an investment of time, and there's probably not enough variety to justify the length. That said, there's a a very good full length LP in here, and it certainly qualifies as unique. A keeper for sure.

Ownership: 1996 Ada Müzik (CD). Booklet is a multi foldout with band photos and a lot of information in Turkish. Acquired in 1998.

1998; 12/13/20 (review / new entry)

Kirkbinsinek ~ Turkey

Sis Pus Sus (2015)

My vision of what I want Turkish rock music to be is always much more psychedelic than the reality. It seems like such a natural path for the indigenous sounds of Turkish folk music to merge with the exciting and exotic scales and tones of the psychedelic. And even though an entire genre exists that somewhat addresses this - namely Anatolian Rock - I haven't really heard much to excite me. Yea, sure, Erkin Koray, Baris Manco, Bunalim, and the lot of them have moments of excitement, but none captured my imagination wildly. All of that to state - Kirkbinsinek is what I've been looking for. Right from the opening notes of the instrumental 'Hoyrat', one will be automatically transported to a secret hideaway in 1969 Istanbul. The music is a combination of retro psych and Ozric Tentacles like space rock, especially when the latter borrows from Middle Eastern scales. So if the idea of a band like Vespero or Quantum Fantay mixing with Wolf People - and a dash of early Agitation Free - sounds good to you, then I suggest you make an effort to obtain Kirkbinsinek's debut. Excellent album and goes straight to the top spot in my (limited) Turkish collection. 

Ownership: 2015 World in Sound (CD). Acquired in 2017.

8/13/17 (review)

8/13/17 (new entry)

Siddhartha ~ Turkey

Trip to Innerself (1998)

I've often thought that Turkey is a country that could - perhaps should - produce amazing psychedelic space rock albums. The indigenous music culture alone, outside of any rock influence, speaks to the exotic and... well... the psychedelic. But it really hasn't happened that way, even if you consider the more known stars of the 1970s like Baris Manco and Erkin Koray. Siddhartha at least made a sincere attempt at mixing the music of East and West. Though unfortunately it weighs too much towards the latter, and ultimately sounds like any number of bands from Europe emulating the various stages of instrumental Pink Floyd and the like. Still, there's much to admire here, in particular the title track, 'The Explorer', and especially 'Nervous Breakdown'.

For Middle Eastern psychedelic cosmic rock, it's hard to beat Agitation Free's Malesch (Germany 1972). And for modern bands, Astrakhan's Vespero is the gold standard for such a sound. But there's never too much of this type of music as far as I'm concerned, and I do hope Siddhartha do consider reforming in some form or fashion. Though it appears that one of the key contributors - namely Özgür Kurcan - sadly passed away in 2011.

Ownership: 2009 Trail (CD). Acquired in 2013

11/27/13 (review / new entry)