If there is one place on earth that has somewhat cradled, hosted or influenced almost each and everything that later formed what we call today as global culture, it is Anatolia. If there is one community that has been (and still being) shaped with almost every kind of cultural, economic, social, and emotional contrast in the world, it is Turkish people. And if there is one musical genre that can freely embody and disembody each and every thought and feeling that has ever come to man, it is psychedelic music.
Just hold this record in your hand, and imagine the possibilities… Turkey has an extremely colourful musical background that is influenced by many different cultures. Below its dull surface covered with commercial productions, the freer depths of Turkey’s musical ocean is still vibrant and exuberant with countless young groups pushing the limits of sound and rhythm.
Anatolian Rock was one of the most authentic and distinctive contributors of the first global psychedelic upheaval in late 60s and early 70s – and it still echoes in the works of Turkish modern rock bands. Indeed, modern Turkish psychedelia is something that is fully connected to the roots of a natively global sense of expression, which can be easily discriminated from other national products such as American Garage Bands, German Krautrock and British Psychedelia. The uniqueness of Turkish psychedelia is hidden in the historical and geographical exposure of its musical psyche.
Comprised of previously unpublished psychedelic songs by modern Turkish bands, The New Generation of Turkish Psychedelic Volume I’ is the first compilation album released by Ironhand Records. In this compilation you will find new and mind blowing sounds of Turkish psychedelia:
The album opens with the aggressive rhythm and raw melodic bass lines of Profesyonel’ by Yarimada, which is the only song with lyrics in the album. The second title, Lala’s Song’ by irtifakaybediyoruz! is a rage of melancholy amidst wisdom and despair. The third title, Floodgate’ by Help! The Captain Threw Up is a moody yet fluent piece that carries influences of psychedelia and post-rock. Azim’, the punchy, clear-cut last title on A side, is performed by Balina from Izmir, which -with their own definition- is a hearty band in love with dark riffs and sorrowful psychedelic sounds. The B side opens with Ran’ by milankundura, takes us to a thought-provoking trip over a cloud of jazzy sounds. And the closing piece, Lopenstraat’s 15-minute epic Hike’, which is a nerve-shredding adventure in a dusky forest of acoustic and electric sounds.
Tracks by Yarimada, Irtifakaybediyoruz!, Help! The Captain Threw Up, Balina, Milankundura and Lopenstraat.
